Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 1, 1994 TAG: 9403020001
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The proposed route close to Roanoke city will follow a corridor 10 miles wide, running from U.S. 460 through Catawba Valley (via Route 624, Newport Road) then through Beckner Gap into West Salem.
Topographically, this area is the head waters of the Roanoke River as well as part of the James River watershed. The region is limestone, containing many caves. This area is more than 400 feet higher than Catawba Mountain. The Appalachian Trail and Scenic Bicycle Trail are here.
What about personal loss, homes, farms, a way of life? What would the affected people get in exchange? The government will take their land for a meager price in the name of progress. Crime will increase due to the transient element. A peaceful way of life will end.
Why? So Roanoke city can have an interstate highway. Roanoke made a major mistake by not having a regional airport with Lynchburg. In case you haven't noticed, Roanoke sets in the bottom of a bowl, surrounded by mountains, with an air-pollution problem and no place to grow. What will this highway do that I-81 hasn't done?
JUDY H. MITCHELL
ROANOKE
What's the purpose of lyric changes?
I'D LIKE to know more about the proposed changes to the state song (Feb. 8 news story by staff writer Warren Fiske, ``Senate nearly in unison for revised state song''). What's the purpose? Is it an attempt to remove racial references or to make sure it's not offensive, or both?
Changing ``old darkey's'' to ``old dreamers'' and ``old Massa'' to ``my loved ones'' doesn't fit either bill. To make the song nonracial, many words will need to be changed. So either leave it as is or adopt a new song - one in which all Virginians can take pride.
KATHLEEN EMERY
CHRISTIANSBURG
North's critics are hypocrites
THOSE trying to smear Ollie North express concern about honesty. Their concern is phony, because they're very quiet about broken promises and lies that have become Bill Clinton's trademark. Recent examples are misleading comments he made in his State of the Union address.
Clinton said, ``This Congress produced a budget that cut the deficit by half a trillion dollars, cut spending, and raised income taxes on only the wealthiest Americans.'' This statement is very deceitful. The budget imposed by him and the Democrats will increase the national debt by $1 trillion over the next five years. The Congressional Budget Office says the budget will increase spending. It will increase income taxes for many middle-class people receiving Social Security payments, and most of them will face a $100 to $200 increase this year in gasoline and Social Security taxes.
He said, ``We cut $255 billion in spending, including entitlements, and over 340 separate budget items. We froze domestic spending and used honest budget numbers.'' Domestic spending, not including entitlements, will increase by about $10 billion in 1994 and 1995. Entitlements weren't cut, but are scheduled to increase.
Clinton said, ``The experts predicted next year's deficit would be $300 billion. But because we acted, those same people now say the deficit's going to be under $180 billion, 40 percent lower than was predicted.'' If next year's deficit is under $180 billion, it won't be because of the Democrats' tax-and-spend plan. It will be lower because Federal Reserve Board policies are holding down interest rates and the Clinton administration has gone to cheaper short-term bonds for funding instead of long-term bonds. That short-sighted funding will cost us dearly several years from now when we have a new president.
Those trying to derail North's campaign aren't concerned about character. Their silence about Clinton's many deceptions reveals that. They're opposed to North because he's an effective anti-communist, a born-again Christian and a conservative. There's a character issue. It's not about North, but about the hypocrites waging the smear campaign against him.
MICHAEL H. McCORMICK-GOODHART
CHRISTIANSBURG
No rational grounds to halt logging
HOW CAN there be any serious thought to stop logging on a completed timber sale in the George Washington National Forest (Dec. 19 Associated Press story, ``Judge halts logging near Washington Forest wetland'')?
Logging in the George Washington is conducted totally in compliance with all the best management practices of the U.S. Forest Service to ensure continued multiple use and enjoyment. Logging is even overly in compliance. To wit, proven scientific stream-protection buffer zones of 150 feet in the forest are extended to 600 feet. This extra protection is true for all preservation regulations.
A logged forest is a healthy one, with fire hazard minimized. It provides wood products and enjoyment for people, safe habitats for wildlife and optimum growing conditions for its own survival.
There are no rational grounds for seeking a permanent injunction to prevent a buyer from completing logging on a tract of timber purchased at a government-timber sale. The sale was in full compliance with all regulations. Logging is in more than full compliance. Let it proceed!
JANE HOGAN
KEYSVILLE
by CNB