
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, December 12, 1993                   TAG: 9312140281
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: D2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

DEL.-ELECT SHULER

IT MAY not be an original idea, but it is a good one. Blacksburg Del.-elect Jim Shuler plans to have three separate groups of citizens in his New River Valley district advising him on issues of education, health care and the economy.

People who live west of the Blue Ridge often feel, justifiably or not, that they don't have much of a voice in Richmond. Democrat Shuler, elected in his first bid for public office last month, seems genuinely to want to magnify their voice - and that will be good for them.

On top of that, freshmen legislators in particular are fed a lot of confusing information by smooth-talking Richmond lobbyists. The special interests may or may not have the best interests of the legislators' constituents at heart, but they make sure to gain access to the lawmakers. Feedback from the home folks is a handy reality check - and that will be good for them too, as well as for Shuler.

by CNB