Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 23, 1993 TAG: 9311230414
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Those opposed lament about how zoning imposes government intrusion into the lives of people and contend that this is evil. By that reasoning, perhaps we should rescind all traffic laws and other regulations that protect people from harm that's caused by others. Laws against speeding, drunken driving, rape, etc. would be no more, and everybody could do whatever they want.
To illustrate what can happen without zoning: Consider that you live in a nice neighborhood where people take care of their properties and respect the rights of others. Then, the guy next to you decides to convert his garage into a car-repair shop. Street parking in front of your house is no longer available because it's taken by cars waiting repair. You'll hear loud noises at all hours, and your neighbor's driveway, lawn and all available space is soon cluttered with cars (both alive and dead), scrap engines and other various parts and equipment.
Can those against zoning really believe that you've not been harmed by this? Not only has your quality of life been shattered, but your property value will plummet so that you cannot even sell out and move away. You're trapped!
Just as the police protect our personal safety, zoning protects our peace of mind and our property values. Without it, there is constant fear that your life will be disrupted by someone who believes that he should be able to do whatever he wants on his own land. Fortunately, most of Franklin County has zoning in place, and the hope is that it will remain so. Zoning is a blessing ... don't let the do-whatever-you-want people take it from us. FRED J.
KEENE
UNION HALL
Youngsters need to keep their pride
THE ``PREGNANT and proud'' article by staff writer Beth Macy on the front page of the Nov. 18 Extra section deserves a response.
I was quoted in the article. For the record, I'm not an advocate for teen-age pregnancy, but I'm an advocate for children. I'm certain that no one is happy and celebrates an announcement of teen pregnancy. However, I value the element that constitutes the sharing of that fact. After various reactions, a pregnant teen-ager is rendered a support system that is intricately webbed.
Once a child comes to me, he or she is embraced with whatever glitter and/or garbage possessed. Children, whether pregnant or not, will receive my care, acceptance, guidance, extended services, as well as a support system (which exists as long as needed). As a teacher and counselor, I'm concerned with individual students' concerns, changes, growth, f+isurvivalo and achievement, or lack thereof.
As your news story pointed out, teen pregnancies in the Roanoke area have grown in epic proportions (1 in every 10) without regard for racial, social and economic status.
It's difficult to show disdain for a social issue without inflicting harm or pain within children experiencing that specific dilemma. Consequently, I encourage children to rise to the occasion of a problem or struggle with thoughts of the possibilities, to constantly recharge the generator of pride within self and others, and view every situation with degrees of positivity and perseverance.
My comments were taken out of context and misconstrued. The news story was focused on stereotypical negativity when I thought it would focus on two young women who were asserting themselves in a positive effort after becoming pregnant.
JANET S. CLAYTOR
ROANOKE
Bible is not law of the land
REGARDING the Nov. 9 letter to the editor entitled ``Farris went down, but he's not out'' by Marlene Vandyke:
Admittedly, Mike Farris received a larger percentage of the vote than I expected. As Ms. Vandyke stated, the religious right clearly has a large voice in Virginia politics and, considering its recent victories, I'm certain its voice will continue to gain volume.
However, had Farris won the election, he would've been bound, like all other politicians, to uphold the laws of not only Virginia but also of the United States as a whole. What does this mean exactly? He would've had no choice but to preserve the separation of church and state as laid out in the Constitution by our founding fathers. No matter what his religious affiliation may have been, it would've been necessary to set religious beliefs aside when matters of the state were being considered.
Vandyke is correct in at least one point: ``Christians have a voice that will not [should not] be silenced ... '' Nevertheless, Christian voices deserve no more consideration in our state's laws than does any other religious group, be it Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, pagan or atheist. The Constitution is the law of our land; the Bible isn't.
CHRISTOPHER W. BURTON
SALEM
Like shooting fish in a barrel
A HUNTING preserve is planned for Alleghany County. To me that's real sportsmanship.
Confine animals to a certain area where there's no escape, then shoot them. Perhaps the next sporting event will be barrels of fish for fishermen.
It would be more sporting, and great fun as well, to have lions or tigers confined to the area. Then hunters and prey would be on a more even footing.
MARY B. RINKER
EAGLE ROCK
Al Wilson for chairman
I STAND completely and fully behind my friend Al Wilson in his candidacy for chairman of the Roanoke City Democratic Committee.
From Eagle Scout to law degree, he's begun a promising and distinguished career. City Democrats are quite fortunate to have his ability and character, someone who's willing to accept the chairmanship and more than capable of applying the elbow grease necessary to our continued success.
I stand completely and fully against the efforts by some to shoot our party in the other foot so soon after November. Why they want to do that is beyond me.
DAN L. FREI
Member, Roanoke City
Democratic Committee
ROANOKE
by CNB