Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 24, 1994 TAG: 9404250126
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
This year, the eighth grade at the same school has wasted six weeks on an interdisciplinary Holocaust curriculum. The Holocaust, to be sure, merits a period or two in a standard course on European history, but that is all.
Blacksburg Middle School is not alone. Fourth-graders at Margaret Beeks Elementary School have been known to waste many hours composing and acting a one-act "opera," an activity without educational value. And at Shawsville Elementary School, the fifth grade did a long project on the trash train; it ended with the pupils writing letters expressing their opinions to the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. Apparently, their teacher did not bother to tell them that they were wasting their time, since the Board of Supervisors had no power whatsoever to do anything at all about the trash train!
We need a return to the education of the 1930s, in which teachers, pupils and the public all knew that school should be work, not play - and education in which pupils really learned to read, write and reckon, and in which they learned real facts about history, geography and government, instead of being indoctrinated with current controversies.
Unfortunately, we now have a generation of parents who were themselves victims of educational malpractice, and who cannot be expected to know how badly their children are being deprived of a real education. In spite of this, an increasingly large number of young parents are seeking other options for their offspring, whether through home schooling or through alternative schools. For their sake, we should all be seeking to reduce expenditures on our worthless public schools.
Thomas Ozro MacAdoo
Blacksburg
Ratliff would make fine councilman
In the upcoming Radford City Council election, I am working for Todd Ratliff.
Todd is one of the finest and most honorable Christian gentlemen it has been my pleasure to know. He is a faithful member of Gethsemane Baptist Church, and has been involved with our recreation department in Radford coaching young children in soccer.
Todd cares about our police force, our Fire Department, and especially our educational system in Radford. He will work to the betterment of these offices to benefit the citizens of Radford. This will also draw new industry and people to Radford.
Elizabeth Viars
Radford
Return Polly Corn to Radford council
For re-election to the Radford City Council, Polly Corn deserves favorable consideration.
Her experience, dedication, efficiency and character are second to none. She has been a longtime resident of the city and has firsthand knowledge of its current and future needs. She has served with distinction on the council for several years. Her decisions have always been for what is best for the city and its residents.
In addition to her council duties, she has served as vice mayor, a member of the Planning Commission, chairman of the Radford Emergency Medical Services Board, co-chairman of the City-Radford University Board and as a member of the Advisory Board of the Agency on Aging.
Let us return a superbly qualified candidate to the City Council.
James Rutrough
Radford
City Council needs Ratliff's energy
Cast your ballot for H. Todd Ratliff for Radford City Council.
I have known Todd for eight years and have found that he is an outstanding young man who gives unlimited energy to any task that he undertakes. He is a settled family man and wonderful father who wants Radford to be the best possible place to raise his children.
Todd is an honest person with integrity and character. If he makes a promise, he will keep it. He will bring a sensible, rational, youthful vitality to City Council.
Mary Anne McPhail
Radford
Schools top priority for Tom Starnes
I enthusiastically support Tom Starnes for mayor of Radford. I have known Tom since I was appointed to the city School Board in 1977. He has always shown a great deal of concern for the development of the schools, and that concern is reflected in Radford's becoming one of the best school divisions in the state. His concerns were expressed through the fiscal decisions he made in funding the schools.
He exhibits positive, calm, highly effective leadership as mayor. He bases his decisions on what is best for Radford and, more importantly, what the citizens will support in terms of their tax dollars.
Tom has extraordinary knowledge of city operations and is thoroughly versed in the city's tax structure. His leadership style and his knowledge based on his many years of experience indicate he should be re-elected mayor.
John McPhail
Radford
Yerrick will work hard for Radford
It is hard to write a letter to a newspaper, and I surely don't make it a habit. But our city elections are coming up, and I think, in many ways, what we decide in Radford on May 3 is much more important than what we decide on who goes to Washington in November.
This year the voters will elect two of the four members of Radford's City Council. I want to make sure that one of those members is Bill Yerrick.
Most of us know Bill, either through his work, his civic clubs, his church or through his years serving our Chamber of Commerce. Many of us just know him as a good neighbor and an active member of our community.
I know I am not alone in believing that Bill Yerrick will be an excellent addition to our City Council. Bill will work hard for Radford and for us.
Archie Rollins Jr.
Radford
Radford wonderful; so is Tom Starnes
Tom Starnes is known as one of the best mayors in Virginia. I know, I served on the Radford City Council with him.
Tom knows how to control cost and manage the needs of the Radford citizens. I think Radford is a wonderful place to live, and Tom Starnes is a big reason why. All who know Tom and support progress must get out to vote May 3.
Ken Edwards
Radford
Radford council needs a change
It is time for a change on Radford City Council. If Radford wants to meet the year 2000 as an attractive, energetic and developing city ... as a city where businesses, families and children thrive ... as a small city that wants to do more than survive ... it is time to make a move.
Bill Yerrick has the right balance of professional experience and community leadership for Radford's coming years. Help me and the many others supporting Bill Yerrick elect him to Radford City Council on May 3.
Guy Gilmore
Radford
Radford needs Bill Yerrick
May 3 is a very important election for Radford. The citizens who vote will have elected 60 percent of our city government, and the choices they make will mightily affect our lives.
I am asking that you join me and many of our neighbors in casting your ballot for W.D. "Bill" Yerrick for Radford City Council. After being an active and hard-working member of our community for many years, Bill has agreed to use his talents and that hard work for our city's government. The city of Radford needs Bill Yerrick's enthusiasm, leadership and experience. In this very important election, Radford needs you to make that extra effort to vote.
John Buck
Radford
Starnes has proved himself as mayor
Tom Starnes exemplifies the qualities needed for mayor of Radford. He has the proven ability to lead our city government and to do what is best for the citizens of Radford. Clearly, his diligence has enabled the city to maintain its financial stability.
Starnes is an amiable, hard-working individual who has the ability to relate to people in business, industry and the community. His high ethical standards and good judgment have afforded him widespread respect. He has proved his ability as a mayor in the past and will do so in the future.
Catherine Cox
Radford
by CNB