Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 3, 1995 TAG: 9511030013
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITORIAL EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Don't be misled by half-truths. If consolidation is approved, government will not become bigger, and taxes will not increase because of it. Also, we'll live in the same community that we presently live in. For county residents, it will be the same county setting but will be known as Bedford city. For present city residents, it's the same city but will be known as the shire of Bedford or Bedfordshire.
Consolidation offers other benefits as well. It will allow for better planning and lower costs in all combined areas of county and city functions. Long-range planning can ensure a shared vision of what our new city should be, and can give orderly, productive growth for Bedfordshire.
Vote yes on consolidation Nov. 7.
AUBREY W. BOOTH
BEDFORD COUNTY
Rich campaigns; starving services
READING THAT the Via brothers gave $60,000 more on top of the previous $100,000 given to Republican General Assembly candidates in the Roanoke Valley (Oct. 31 article, ``Vias give more cash to House campaign'') causes one to wonder whether the election process has become a marketplace where delegates can be bought.
It's especially troubling that Republican candidates who are receiving these large sums of money are campaigning on platforms to slash spending in some programs of critical educational and social benefit.
Gov. George Allen, jockeying for a majority in the General Assembly, proposed cuts in funding for programs that help the mentally and physically disabled, elderly and disadvantaged. These programs include home-delivered meals provided by the League of Older Americans, and services for the mentally disabled provided by the Blue Ridge Community Services board. Allen proposed a 50 percent reduction in state funding for Total Action Against Poverty, which helps low-income residents.
Let's take some of that money from the overstuffed campaign chests and direct it to programs that are threatened by Republicans' proposed cuts.
JONATHAN and JERI ROGERS
ROANOKE
Wampler has a solid achievement record
IN THE race for commissioner of revenue in Botetourt County, Steve Wampler is the only choice. He has the practical education, solid experience and sincere desire to continue the excellent job he has done for the past four years.
During that time, he has improved efficiency of the office and computerized many aspects of it. He's recognized by his professional peers to be innovative, dependable, dedicated to taxpayers and friendly - a rare trait in his position.
What really puts the icing on the cake in my support for him is the negative approach his opponent has taken. While Wampler has stuck to issues important to the operation of that office and the taxpayers, John Etzler and his party's leaders have consistently engaged in purely personal attacks. This approach is typical of a candidate who has no positive program to offer.
Botetourt doesn't need a negative brand of politics. Wampler is what we need.
FRANK LONGAKER
TROUTVILLE
Catawba needs a feisty supervisor
AS USUAL, I found your Oct. 21 editorial (``For Roanoke County supervisor'') concerning the candidates running for county supervisor in the Catawba District to be a bit out of touch with reality. Your statement that ``some district residents feel neglected by county government'' was understated. We who live in the Catawba District not only feel neglected but completely forgotten, except, of course, when it comes to our yearly tax assessments.
The candidate you supported, Spike Harrison, sounds like a really nice guy. He's ``thoughtful,'' ``doesn't chime in,''``has a realistic point of view'' and is ``well-tempered.'' The only problem with this type of candidate is that our district has had two of these really nice guys in the past eight years who haven't accomplished a darn thing.
No, this election I plan to be totally selfish and elect a candidate who will fight for the interests of our residents instead of talking about them - one who isn't so "well-tempered" when his constituents aren't receiving their fair share.
I'd like to see us elect a bulldog that will protect his own turf. Luckily, there's one in the running, and that's Bob Crouse.
JOHN HUFFMAN
SALEM
Resist Brown's ideas for change
SAY NO to a candidate who proposes sting operations in Bedford County.
Say no to a candidate who proposes that our fellow citizens volunteer to ride around unarmed in their own cars, equipped with cellular phones and radios, looking for crimes and suspicious activity.
Say no to a candidate who returned to Bedford County after almost 30 years, rented an apartment (qualifying him as a resident), announced his candidacy for sheriff about one month later, and says that he ``loves Bedford County.''
Say no to a candidate who receives a medical-disability pension while vigorously campaigning to hold the highest law-enforcement office in Bedford city and county.
Say no to a candidate who has accepted more than $30,000 in campaign contributions, largely from out of state and county, including more than $8,900 from California.
Say no to Mike Brown on Nov. 7.
EMILIE A. CITTY
BEDFORD
Brown plans excellent programs
ONE AND only one candidate in the sheriff's race is qualified, is experienced and plans many excellent programs for law enforcement in Bedford County. Mike Brown is the one to lead our county in the right direction.
He has 29 years of experience, from arresting drug dealers in Washington, D.C., serving on arson and bombing task forces, and directing major-fraud investigations. He plans to have scheduled citizen/police meetings, if elected, which will give citizens an opportunity to report crimes, advise, and have input in law enforcement.
Folks, it can't get any better. What an opportunity for Bedford County to vote for Brown to be our sheriff.
GEORGIA M. CAMPBELL
BEDFORD
Harrison isn't just blowing smoke
ORDINARILY, I would fault the media for so little coverage of the supervisor's race in my district (Catawba). However, even with four candidates vying for this seat, they and their campaigns have been rather ho-hum.
In fact, if the effort they have expended so far indicates the effort they would expend in office, I can only laugh when I hear them say things like: ``Kohinke did nothing,'' ``Kohinke lacks focus,'' and ``real representation at last.''
The only candidate who even comes close to understanding the reality of balancing a private life with a public one, and who is capable of being effective in both at the same time, is Spike Harrison.
I urge voters to join me in voting for Harrison, who will represent everyone and not just a narrow range of special interests.
ED KOHINKE
SALEM
Cranwell masks his position
I LED a news conference in Vinton recently exposing Del. Dick Cranwell's record on the parental-notification issue.
When he was asked to respond concerning votes that verified him as the author and supporter of counterfeit legislation that circumvented parents, he replied: ``I, too, want pure parental notification, but I wanted to have at least some type of notification on the books ... ''
Cranwell needs to take the mask off. If he wanted ``pure'' parental notification, why didn't he vote for the ``pure'' bill (House Bill 1110) that finally passed in 1992? Why didn't he encourage Gov. Douglas Wilder to sign the ``pure'' bill?
Since Cranwell says that he supports a ``pure'' bill, why didn't he lead his party to override Wilder's veto? His constituents deserve the truth.
ANNE B. KINCAID
Aide to Gov. Allen
RICHMOND
Hagan shouldered full-time duties
ROB HAGAN is the best candidate for commonwealth's attorney of Botetourt County. Throughout his 15 years of service in the commonwealth's attorney's office, he has demonstrated his commitment to the county and to the justice system.
When first elected, he shouldered the full-time burden of the office while being considered only a part-time official by the state and county. His commitment and dedication were evident in his preparation and presentation of cases.
He will serve us well.
BOB L. SWITZER
FINCASTLE
by CNB