Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511200007
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
I thank them for standing firm as others with short-term political agendas suggest limiting investments in our future. Virginia has a vibrant economy, the result of long-term, conservative stewardship of public resources. Past leadership in the commonwealth built an effective government that relied on positive alliances and cooperation. Our representatives participate effectively in this tradition of leadership.
Effective government enables the accomplishments of its citizens. The cost (our tax dollars) of good government allows us: to act on personal beliefs and to ensure this freedom for others; to depend on laws that promote personal and public safety; to help maintain Virginia's environment; and to obtain quality education and training that enables our efforts on the job and at home.
In short, I expect government to promote a stable society by investing both in capital resources and in human resources. The accomplishments of Virginia's government can be quickly destroyed, if the partisan lines, so vividly drawn by the Allen administration, continue to divide the commonwealth. The records of Marye and Shuler support my hopes for positive government leadership.
John Hess
Blacksburg
Ceremony urged for nonpartisanship
The election of 1995 in Montgomery County is past. We can now look to the future and seek what is best for the county. As a start, I propose a countywide, nonpartisan oath of office ceremony.
Those elected this fall to county posts and the public would be invited. The oaths could be administrated by the circuit court judge. The emphasis would be on the true purpose of these offices - service to the citizens of Montgomery County.
I have written Lindsay West and David Nutter, the respective leaders of the county Democrats and Republicans, with this proposal. I am suggesting that a committee plan and host the ceremony. Such an event would underscore the nonpartisan nature of duties of these offices.
It is time to look to the future and rise above politics. The citizens of the county deserve nothing less. We can use such an occasion to celebrate all which unites us and not that which divides. We came together as voters to choose public servants; we can now come together in thanksgiving of that right.
Joe Painter
Blacksburg
`Smart' road not environmental threat
For the last two Sundays, letters have supposedly refuted my column on the ``smart'' road in the Oct. 15 Current. I was accused of being self-serving. I am retired and have absolutely no financial interest in the smart road. The only benefits I would receive would be those shared byall residents of the New River Valley - creation of a superior transportation infrastructure that would appeal to high-technology, low-pollution, good-paying industries.
My reasons for supporting the smart road are not ``specious.'' Our most critical environmental issue is to reduce wasting the Earth's increasingly limited resources and to avoid polluting the areas where we live. The smart road is a definite plus, even when compared to Alternative 3A, which will displace 149 residents, 32 businesses and one nonprofit organization. An expanded 3A would be even more disruptive. Alternative 3A would also add dramatically to already high air pollution concentrated in that vicinity. The exhausts from 3A will be blown by prevailing westerly winds directly into the Ellett Valley. By splitting the traffic, the concentration of pollutants will be lowered at any given location.
Both letters accused me of favoring untrammeled development. I believe we absolutely must ensure that the smart road and the entire stretch of Interstate 73 be constructed with respect for the environment. We should not allow billboards and nearby urban sprawl. We do not wish to create the visual abomination of U.S. 460.
To briefly address key points from the other letters:
The economy: The economy is weaker than it appears. A large percentage of new jobs are modest-paying service and retail jobs. Virginia Tech has downsized by almost 500 persons and the Radford Army Ammunition Plant is down to its lowest level ever. We need good-paying jobs based on technology such as those in the Research Triangle. Such firms have not moved here because of the transportation infrastructure and the absence of other amenities.
Smart aspects: The only ``experts'' who state that the same research efforts could be done on 3A or other roads are those who oppose the smart road.
Direct link: Alternative 3A will benefit those traveling west but will continue to take those heading east and north out of their way.
Relieving traffic congestion: The intersection of U.S. 460 with Virginia 114 is horribly congested and will get worse. However, expanding 3A would be extremely expensive, and would not offer the environmental savings that the direct route will do.
Right route for I-73: The alternative of taking I-73 down I-77 is not sound. The stretch is already drastically overburdened and dangerous. Routing I-73 through Pearisburg, Blacksburg and Roanoke will dramatically improve access to the markets of the Midwest and dynamic North Carolina. It would also eliminate one of the most dangerous roads in Virginia: U.S. 220 between Roanoke and Martinsville.
Funding: Funding is already assured for the first two miles, and funds are in the current highway bill not only for the remainder of it but for I-73 in its entirety. It is not a dead-end road.
Costs: The road's beneficiaries are not only the 75,000 residents of Montgomery County but thousands more who pass through the area each year.
Destruction of farmland: What prime farmlands are to be paved with asphalt? Prime farmlands are not located in hilly, rocky terrain.
I am portrayed as an advocate of development at any cost and a lackey of economic barons intent on destroying our environment. I am the direct opposite. I am a strong environmental supporter, but I attempt to see the total picture. Those who have the BANANA (build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything) mentality, such as those of the group ICAN, appear to me to be the ones capable of seeing only limited parts of the whole picture. I support managed, controlled development taking every environmental aspect into account.
Keith Furr
Blacksburg
Campaign signs taken down quickly
The elections are over and while driving into work today between Christiansburg and Blacksburg, I was amazed that the majority of the election signs had been removed. The candidates are to be commended for having such loyal supporters who have promptly assumed this task. On behalf of our independent candidate, Garnett Adkins, our congratulations go out to Doug Marrs and we wish him the best of luck in his new position.
Anita Lilly
Blacksburg
by CNB