Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 27, 1995 TAG: 9510270033
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
For more than 100 years, Virginia's outdated Democratic Party has held this commonwealth hostage to fear-mongering tactics such as this. Democrats have taxed and spent all of us into oblivion, leading us down the liberal primrose path that has become a welfare state, to say the least. We now have a bloated welfare system, a school system that lags in the lower percentile, and a skyrocketing juvenile-crime index that makes even Democrats blush (if that's possible).
For your article to suggest that if Republicans take control of the Senate and House of Delegates all ``power'' would shift to Northern Virginia is nothing but poppycock. It's more rusty, outdated Democratic rhetoric, which is nothing more than outright demagoguery. Perhaps you're referring to the (gasp!) possible defeat of Dickie Cranwell.
I call on voters to turn him out and his cronies Vic Thomas and ``Chip'' Woodrum who believe that the mandate to represent their constituents is a lifetime job and a blank check to tax and spend us back to the Stone Age. They've proved that they can't lead after 100 years. What do you expect them to do in the next two years?
JOHN C. BRAKE
VINTON
Botetourt needs Beard, Branscom
I ENCOURAGE all Botetourt County citizens to vote for Scott Beard for sheriff and for Joel Branscom for commonwealth's attorney.
On three different occasions, I've needed the Sheriff's Department on very serious matters - one being that two boys living in the Knollwood subdivision rolled two wheels off a 30-foot embankment onto U.S. 460 as I was traveling west, which could have caused the death of me and my granddaughter. Nothing was ever done about this, although we knew who the boys were and where they lived.
In my opinion, Botetourt County has had the poorest law-enforcement team of any county in Virginia. A vote for Beard and Branscom would be for a team that would serve, protect and prosecute, instead of giving a slap on the wrist. I know they would work together for a safer county for all of us, instead of sitting on their duffs waiting for a television camera to come along so they could be in the limelight.
LOIS HOLDREN AGEE
TROUTVILLE
Marye is the safe, known candidate
SEN. MADISON Marye has always been a strong supporter of education - from the elementary level to the university level. His support helped get Edwards Hall at New River Community College in Dublin.
He opposes cutting taxes, and argues that Virginia government services are underfunded compared with other states. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, he supported restoration of funding for the Cooperative Extension Service, which provides information about crops and animal protection, as well as 4-H, family and home programs.
I can understand why wealthy people support the Republican Party - they like the tax breaks they get. The wealthy can make money when we have a depression. When the bottom drops out of land or goods, then they can step in, buy at a low price, hold for a few years and then double their money.
I appreciate this area's good Republicans who have supported Marye because he represents people who work for our area. Let's not lose a known leader for an unknown quantity. Vote for Marye.
WORTH COX
HILLSVILLE
Exclusion doesn't foster unity
THE MILLION Man March on Washington was billed as symbolizing unity in the African-American community. How do you have unity when you exclude one-half of the members of your group? Are mothers, daughters, sisters and girl children of that community somehow nonessential to the unity and future of the African-American community?
It seems to me that exclusion always leads to discord, a lesson I had hoped was already learned.
ELIZABETH C.S. LANKFORD
CHRISTIANSBURG
Worth of jobs was underestimated
THE RECENT characterization of the jobs created by The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center as "low-paying" is inaccurate and misleading (Oct. 6 ``Campaign Notes From Across Virginia''). In fact, there have been more than 350 jobs created at the hotel and conference center, many of which pay in excess of the wages paid at manufacturing and service jobs that have recently come into the area. For example, banquet servers at the hotel average between $10 and $12 per hour.
It's important to note the spinoff employment resulting from the increased number of people in the downtown area. Also, we should mention jobs resulting from the presence of Virginia Tech's Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement. Indeed, this continuing-education program not only links Roanoke with Tech, but will spur the creation of high-tech jobs in our valley.
During John Edwards' tenure on Roanoke City Council, there have been a number of times when he has supported the hotel and conference center.
With the number of jobs created and the estimated $1.2 million the hotel and conference center will bring in annually in revenues for Roanoke city, we thought it was important to set the record straight.
DAVID A. BOWERS
Mayor, Roanoke city
LINDA WYATT and WILLIAM WHITE
Roanoke City Council members
ROANOKE
Wingo has the facts on her side
MUMBO JUMBO. Is this the present-day approach to editorials? Do opinions take total precedence over facts and sound information? Such appears to be the case in your Oct. 20 editorial (``For supervisors in Botetourt'') regarding the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors' race.
Sound information, which has been readily available in public forums, meetings and debates, seems to have been cast aside in preference for hollow generalizations. May I suggest that your editorial writers confine editorials to subjects about which they are enlightened?
In the interest of fairness, I suggest that editorial writers also digest the following facts that should serve as a bright light in the much-needed process of enlightenment.
Wendy Wingo:
Has already proposed strategic planning for Botetourt County.
Worked hard for a bond referendum to support Botetourt County schools and economic development.
Meets with constituents on the second Monday of each month to keep them informed.
Listens and responds to concerns of Blue Ridge citizens.
Represents our county on district and state committees.
Served on both county and school budget committees.
Chaired the board in hiring our present county administrator.
Also: Water and sewage studies have already been done for the county, and are planned for Greenfield. Fincastle Town Council and the Fincastle Historical Society, in conjunction with the Board of Supervisors, have and continue to protect the character of historic Fincastle.
Also: "Spontaneous" growth in Botetourt is a misnomer. Growth is being managed by appropriate planning.
GORDON and BARBARA BLAIR
BLUE RIDGE
Marion Roark is the wise choice
SINCE Catawba district voters have their first opportunity to vote for a School Board member, they certainly should consider this a privilege and make a wise choice.
Marion Roark has been involved in Roanoke County school systems for more than 30 years. I'm not talking about baking cookies and going to conferences. When I say involved, I mean at budget hearings, and by serving on budget committees, curriculum committees, school-calendar committees, and book-selection committees.
She has gone to Richmond many times to speak in favor of quality education. Her children have been out of school for years, but she's still as involved as ever due to her dedication. If you ask principals, many staff members and parents at any county school if they know her, the answer will be yes.
I feel very fortunate to have known Roark for years, but I feel even more fortunate that we have candidates of her caliber running for School Board.
RITA WATSON
ROANOKE
by CNB