Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 26, 1994 TAG: 9401260392
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
``The system would be subject to serious line overloads and potentially catastrophic low voltage conditions without the proposed Wyoming to Cloverdale 765-kv transmission line.''
``The proposed facilities will provide the necessary reliability and flexibility which is essential to economic growth in Appalachian's service territory.''
``Even if a much-expanded set of DSM programs were feasible, the record shows that there would be little or no impact on the planned timing or need for the proposed line.''
``It makes absolutely no sense to build costly generation plants when they are not needed.''
``Generation is not a substitute for transmission.''
``I find that the company's proposals concerning the use of herbicides and other methods of right-of-way maintenance proposed for this transmission line are sufficient to protect the environment of the area involved.''
``Therefore, based on the evidence, I find that there is insufficient evidence to prove that the EMF from this transmission line would pose a threat to human health or safety.''
``This project will not only provide a much-needed improvement, it will do so with little impact on rates.''
``I find that Appalachian has explored all reasonable options and that the proposed project is the most cost-effective and the most environmentally-sound option available to meet the needs identified.''
As you can see, what Apco has been saying for many years has been supported by the SCC hearing examiner. The proposed transmission line is needed for Apco's own internal customers. All we've ever asked is that anyone interested in the project, please review all the facts. The SCC hearing examiner has done just that, and his findings are clear. The line is needed.
CARL A. PERSING
Project Coordinator
Appalachian Power Co.
ROANOKE
Business as usual gets power surge
I'M VERY upset at some businesses in Roanoke. During the recent frigid weather, I turned off all unnecessary electrical appliances, turned down my thermostat, washed dishes by hand (which I hate to do), put on more clothes, and let my laundry go with the hope that babies, the elderly, sick, infirm and healthy people would have enough electricity to keep warm and heat a little food.
I decided to call a few businesses that sell television sets and appliances to see how they were helping to conserve power. I was told by several that ``We have a business to run and cannot cut our TVs off.'' One large place of business said it wouldn't cut off 258 television sets. It, too, said it had a business to run, a contract to keep. How many people are out shopping for a new television in zero-degree weather anyway? I can promise this store that it will never get another penny of my money, even if it means spending more and traveling farther for a product I want.
I invite businesses, especially the one with the 258 television sets, who wouldn't comply with the request from Appalachian Power Co. to conserve electricity to explain why in the Roanoke Times & World-News. This situation confirms what I've always thought and felt - money means so much more to some than compassion. This is such a shame.
DONNA A. GRAY
BUCHANAN
A council candidate with moral character
ROANOKE has a golden opportunity to start a positive trend in government. We all know that many politicians today may come into office with business and legal knowledge, but may lack moral and spiritual background. Soon we'll be able to elect someone to Roanoke City Council who is a knowledgeable businessman, a caring and kind individual, and also a moral, loving family man. He's young enough to know and understand young families' problems, while being sympathetic to the needs of older citizens as well. As a senior citizen, I know this to be true because we've been friends for years.
The Rev. Nelson Harris grew up in Roanoke. He attended public schools here before going to Radford University and Southeastern Theological Seminary. He's always cared deeply about people and shows this in numerous ways with his family, friends, church family and his work on the Roanoke School Board.
Harris' proven leadership, experience and high moral character make him the best candidate for City Council. It's a step toward the positive trend we all want and expect in government.
ROBERT ALDRIDGE
ROANOKE
Hope for moms with drug problems
THE JAN. 9 ``Cost and consequence'' Extra section article by Beth Macy referencing Project LINK and its clients made some excellent and vital points:
Many substance-abusing moms are themselves victims of abuse. The problems are not racial, but economic. Parenting well happens when parents themselves have been well-parented. Babies born of Roanoke Valley moms with chemical-dependency problems are not the ``crack babies'' the national media have described so vividly to us.
One article in a series is a small bit of space in which to describe the complex socioeconomic issues that surround perinatal substance abuse. Our society, which often tries to elevate motherhood into sainthood, finds it difficult to accept that mothers may not have superhuman strengths. We find it even more difficult to face the reality of pernicious problems of powerlessness and poverty caused by the broad social fabric rather than by the narrow cloth of the individual. That was my reference when I was incorrectly quoted as saying that the babies are intergenerationally illegitimate. I said that they are often seen that way, a view that gets in the way of developing the support system moms and babies so desperately need.
And the problems are not hopeless. Project LINK and its network of agencies have helped moms get in and through treatment, into school (including college), parenting classes, better housing, support groups, screening and follow-up programs, and possibly in a position to see that there's hope, and maybe even a good future, for them and their babies.
PHEBE F. CRESS
Coordinator
Blue Ridge Community Services
ROANOKE
Name search isn't tax supported
IN RESPONSE to Kenningston L. Sheffield's Jan. 5 letter to the editor entitled ``Besides $18,000, what's in a name?'':
For the record, not one penny of taxpayers' money has been spent toward finding a name for the new conference center in Roanoke.
BRIAN J. WISHNEFF
Acting Director
Hotel Roanoke Conference
Center Commission
ROANOKE
Democrats behaved rudely toward Allen
I'M APPALLED at some of our elected Democratic legislators' behavior during our new governor's address to the General Assembly. Many laughed, talked and generally showed great disrespect for their governor. Yes, theirs - just as Douglas Wilder was everyone's governor. George Allen deserves the same amount of respect! There should be no difference, regardless of his political affiliation.
Those legislators who talked, laughed and were generally disrespectful acted like little children denied the right to play with the rest of the kids.
As responsible citizens of the great state of Virginia, we should remember this when immature legislators who are bad losers are up for re-election in two years. I know that I will not vote for a person who shows no respect for higher elected officials.
JEAN BOWMAN
LAUREL FORK
Control federal judiciary
WHILE LISTENING to Gov. Allen's State of the Commonwealth address, I, like many Virginians, agreed with most of his proposals, especially those dealing with crime. Nearly every Virginian agrees that criminals should be punished, separated from the public, and repeat criminals should be permanently incarcerated, while all being accomplished at reasonable or reduced costs. All these measures, as well as many more far-reaching actions, are possible. However, the governor and legislature already know, or will discover, that some federal judge or judges will determine that some legislation enacted will not meet some constitutional requirements as per the opinion of said judges.
This nation will never reduce or control the crime problem until the federal judiciary is controlled. The only achieveable solution allowing state legislatures to solve problems we face is to repeal the U.S. Constitution's 17th Amendment. The greatest aspect of this proposal is that it's achieved from the local level upward and maintains government under local control.
JERRY R. JOHNSON
UNION HALL
by CNB