Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 29, 1995 TAG: 9507310007
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Salem City Councilman Sonny Tarpley's quote regarding the newly appointed council member John C. Givens (``He's not going to please the women or the minorities'') clearly shows that the good-old-boy network is alive and kicking in Salem.
Why would Tarpley contact Givens about a council seat three weeks before it was vacated, unless he had plans to put one of his boys in the position?
In a city that has never had a minority and only one councilwoman in its history as an independent city, the message to minorities and women who may want to live in Salem is: We don't care about you or your needs!
Tarpley should be held accountable for his prejudiced remark, and owes the citizens of Salem and all Roanoke Valley residents a public apology.
DERRICK ANTHONY ABNEY ROANOKE
It's the voters' responsibility
REGARDING your July 15 editorial concerning county officials (``Courthouse crowd clings to the past''):
People need to continue to elect their constitutional officers. I wouldn't want to live in a county or state where boards of supervisors would, in too many cases, pick their political cronies by a split vote to run local government. I cannot believe boards of supervisors would want that responsibility, which is a responsibility belonging to voters.
WILLARD HANKINS NORTH TAZEWELL
Vote for country living
ANITA Garner has written newspapers giving her opinion on why Bedford County should become a city. Here's another view.
What advantage will it be for most of the county to make the county a city? To my way of thinking, none whatsoever.
Who can believe a politician nowadays? I say strike a blow for country living and vote no to Bedford County becoming a city.
Five years down the road, some folks may be sorry they were conned into voting for this foolishness.
PAUL G. ST. CLAIR VINTON
The making of a politician
HERE is a consoling thought for Andrea Ballengee, who had to relinquish her Miss Virginia crown:
She should consider a political career! Having already shown interest in wanting to be a lawyer is a step in that direction. With her ability to fabricate and stretch the truth while maintaining a lovely smile, she is a natural!
Oh my yes, I'd say her future is very bright, in spite of a very sad letdown. Wouldn't she really get the votes with all her many qualifications?
DICK MALLEN ROANOKE
Where government gets its duty
LETTER writer Scott Angell (July 21, ``Justices must rein in government'') asks where in our Constitution is the judiciary charged with combating racism, promoting minority representation, etc.
If he'll look again at the Constitution, he'll find his answer in a single sentence: the Preamble. (The Preamble is the essence of American law. All the rest - articles, amendments, etc. - are merely implementation.)
Angell will find answers to his specific questions in the affirmations: `` ... to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility ... promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.''
The ugly truth is that prejudice does exist in this land, and it's hurtful. And until we, as individuals, have learned to overcome our prejudices, it remains the duty of government to intercede.
MIKE COHEN HUDDLESTON
A costly walkway
IMAGINE Salem residents thinking $10.1 million for their $5 million Salem Memorial Stadium is too much. Could be, but take comfort, Salem residents - at least you didn't pay for a $6.85 million pedestrian walkway. In comparison with Roanoke, you got a steal.
VICTOR R. POFF ROANOKE
Morning-after isn't prevention
``EMERGENCY'' contraceptives are our nation's best kept secret (July 23 Horizon section article, ``The morning after'')? Proponents of such ``emergency'' contraceptives would like you to believe that their use comes under the guise of ``prevention.''
To my understanding, preventive methods of birth control are precautions that you take before having sex. The ``morning after'' pills are taken up to 72 hours after having sex. Alarmingly, ``morning after'' pills, according to this article, ``stop the embryo from implanting in the uterine lining.''
Clearly, acceptance of ``morning after'' pills as a so-called preventive means of controlling pregnancy is just one small step from our acceptance of another so-called pregnancy preventer, the controversial French abortion pill, RU 486. I'm afraid the secret is out on ``emergency'' contraceptives.
BRENDA McGRATH HUDDLESTON
by CNB