Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 8, 1995 TAG: 9510090006
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Helen Austin
Dublin
Shockley a help in time of trouble
In 1985, my daughter was raped and murdered. Our family was devastated.
My little girl was 12 years old and a straight-A student in school. Church was her second home. She was the most caring and trusting individual God ever put upon this earth. She was crossing a little used railroad bridge, between Dora Highway Park and Main Street when she was attacked and later left to die. She was pronounced dead in the hospital on Thanksgiving Day.
To this day my family is thankful that we, as a community, have Mr. Shockley to put criminals such as Michael Hagar where they belong. He has proven he is not only the prosecutor for our community, but he is also a caring and understanding person. He was in constant contact with our family, either by telephone or in person.
He let us know that our feelings were important and that we were in his thoughts, as well as his prayers. I personally don't understand why this happened; but I am thankful that Mr. Shockley was there to make sure that Michael Hagar was not put back on the street to do what he did to someone else's daughter. Speaking for myself, he will always have my vote and confidence.
Debra Warden
Pulaski
Nancy Miller right for revenue job
According to state law, the county constitutional offices of treasurer and commissioner of revenue are under separate control and perform different functions.
Helen St. Clair is running for commissioner of revenue of Montgomery County. Since she has been assistant treasurer for years in the same county, it is unlikely that she will be able to work free of the control, psychological or otherwise, of her former employer, Ellis Meredith. This could have serious consequences for the people of Montgomery County.
With Nancy Miller the situation will be exactly opposite. Having been assistant commissioner of revenue for years, she will know from years of experience and training how that office should be run and will also know what the law requires and what it prohibits.
Those who have had contacts with Nancy Miller in the past will need no persuading to vote for her.
Donald Fessler
Blacksburg
Official's remarks show insensitivity
[Kay Coles] James [state secretary of human resources] shows an incredible ignorance of history and an incredible insensitivity to human suffering.
In the attempt to refute a report on the working poor in our area by a social worker, she engaged in the following exchange, as reported in your paper:
"What did the Irish do when they ran out of potatoes?'' James asked.
"Well, a couple of thousand died," quipped one citizen in a back row.
"You move to where the jobs are," James explained.
I don't know if the citizen quipped or if the comment was intended to set James straight. In fact, the historical truth was much worse!
"When the potato, the staple food of rural Ireland, rotted in the ground through the onset of blight in the mid-19th century, perhaps as many as a million people died of starvation and fever in the Great Famine that ensued, and even more fled abroad." -From the Encyclopedia Britannica.
Fleeing your home is not the same as "moving to where the jobs are." Indeed, they went to America, which at the time had no restrictions on immigration, and which had a vast open frontier, creating a situation where jobs were to be had for the asking.
James' message that literacy, not job training, is the most important thing is only half right. She asks "how do you prepare AFDC recipients to compete in the existing job market?''
That is the right question. The answer is not to slash and burn funds for education, for day care, for job training. The answer is not to charge a fee for the GED when an impoverished person might be able to qualify. If James is sincere about hoping to leave women and children better off than when she began her work with [Gov. George] Allen, she had better start opposing his antisocial policies.
Morton Nadler
Blacksburg
Reader supports Miller's candidacy
I read with great interest in your paper Ellis Meredith's statement of support for the candidacy of Helen St. Clare. I think his point regarding the relationship between his treasurer's office and the commissioner of the revenue's office raises a serious concern.
In his statement, Mr. Meredith complains that the commissioner of the revenue has not been particularly cooperative with his office. The implication seems to be that if St. Clare were to be elected, he would be able to more easily get whatever he wants from that office. It would be a great disservice to the citizens of Montgomery County if the designed separation between these two offices were to be compromised for the sake of the convenience of one of these offices. At all levels of government it is desirable to have checks and balances between offices so each can keep a vigilant eye on the activities of the others.
For this reason, I have decided to cast my vote for Nancy Miller.
Jim Webster
Christiansburg
A vote for Dowdy a vote for change
It is my understanding that a lot of us are wanting a change in our sheriff's department. I feel a change is good in most everything, so I support Trooper Dowdy for sheriff of Pulaski County.
Tommy R. Phibbs
Dublin
Some reasons to support Ramsey
I have been a resident of Montgomery County for 25 years, worked in a police department for five years, and been a victim of crime. I have witnessed the political machinery in this county deliberately deter growth of our beautiful community. Thus, I feel compelled to address the election of a sheriff in November.
The sheriff's job is too important for politics of any kind! It calls for knowledge and experience of all police operations, the ability to perform decisively in life-threatening events, and a current working knowledge of administrative duties.
I have read Capt. O.P. Ramsey's brochure and newspaper articles. I have known him, trusted him, for 23 years. I have seen his adept, agile, courageous yet cautious, friendly, and dedicated concern for all citizens.
I urge my fellow citizens to inquire about specific required, current qualifications and special training before voting. Please keep party politics out of our Sheriff's Office. My clear choice is Capt. Ramsey.
Janet Anderson
Christiansburg
This Rush to save may be foolish
I am concerned by some of the decisions that the Board of Supervisors have made lately, in particular, the vote on funding the school's budget. Nick Rush made a motion that taxes not be increased, but I am wondering whether a 1- or 2-cent increase wouldn't be preferable to having a huge increase in the future. I wonder if Mr. Rush is aware that the current budget was drawn directly from the Focus 2006 initiatives that involved 200 people using their volunteer time to define issues to help improve the quality of schools.
A six-year plan was developed directly from the Focus 2006 initiatives. When the vote was taken for the current year's budget, Mr. Rush said that we would be raising taxes on the backs of the elderly and the poor. The teachers did not get much of a raise this year. The buses were not able to be updated. Just recently Mr. Rush voted against the Riner area getting a new elementary school. It seems to me that Nick Rush does not care what people want, he wants to play politics with our children's future.
Bob Goncz has been a conscientious member of the School Board. I urge you to make him a member of the Board of Supervisors.
Ellen Ryan
Shawsville
As sheriff, Dowdy would be dandy
My father was superintendent of Camp No.1 and my mother a justice of the peace in Pulaski County for many years, thus I have had the opportunity to meet many of Pulaski County's law enforcement officers.
One person who made a lasting impression on me and my family was Trooper Norman Dowdy.
His influence was such that my brother, sister and I have made law enforcement our career. We attribute this to Dowdy and the interest he showed to us and other Pulaski County residents throughout the years he served as a state trooper.
It is my opinion that Dowdy is the most qualified candidate to be the sheriff of Pulaski County. In addition to his knowledge of law enforcement, his training and experience, he has the "people skills" and integrity that are vital to building a professional law enforcement team that will best protect the lives and property of all county residents.
A vote for Dowdy to be the next sheriff of Pulaski County is a vote for professional law enforcement.
Gary Reynolds
Lynchburg
Reader says vote for Zelda Vaughn
As a former Radford resident and former employee of the Circuit Court of the city of Radford, I would like to urge the voters of Radford to elect Zelda Vaughn to the office of clerk of the Circuit Court.
I worked with Zelda and J. D. Harman from 1988-1994 and know firsthand how qualified and deserving she is of that position, Zelda knows every function of that office. The general public has no idea the magnitude and diversity of duties she performs behind the scene. I sincerely hope that Radford voters will honor her years of hard work and dedication by electing her the next clerk of Circuit Court.
Susan Naff
Beaver, Pa.
Shockley cares for victims of crime
In October 1992, I became a victim of a crime in which Everett Shockley, Pulaski County commonwealth's attorney, handled the case.
Because of the sensitive matter of the case, he and his staff showed me much care and consideration. They discussed all court proceedings and court matters with me, addressing any questions or concerns.
I was impressed by the service I received from Shockley and his staff. I am confident that my future safety was the No.1 priority throughout the case. Mr. Shockley's office won a conviction in this case.
It will be a pleasure for me, many family members and friends to vote for Mr. Shockley. He cares for victims of crime and for our future welfare.
Donna Ornes
Pulaski
by CNB