ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, January 30, 1996 TAG: 9601300045
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
THE CONTROVERSY over the fire that caused five deaths in Roanoke prompts me to ask some very pointed questions and cite other instances of inspection failure.
As taxpayers, we believe that our funds finance the necessary instruments to safeguard our lives and property. But I for one believe we're living in a fools' paradise here in the Roanoke Valley.
Some years ago, I wished to close in a porch and was advised I had to obtain a permit from the building department, which I did. After the basic work was done, an inspector came and approved the work, and another inspector came to approve the wiring.
Did the people making alterations to this building not have to get a permit? If they did, was there no inspection to determine whether the work met the code?
Roanoke County isn't above criticism when it comes to inspections. Some years ago, a very high-priced townhouse development was constructed in the county, and people purchased homes feeling very secure. Some six years passed until someone had to enter the attic. It was discovered that not only was there no wall but no fire wall extended to the roof.
Seeking to determine a course of action, it was discovered that after a period of six years, the contractor was no longer responsible. Fortunately, the builder acknowledged his omission and corrected the problem.
What tragedy and loss of life might have occurred had there been a fire in this five-unit building. Had a fire occurred, I'm sure there would have been numerous explanations - all to the effect that no one was responsible. Exactly where does our money go, and for what?
JACK BURKE
ROANOKE
The wrong fellows got the blame
IT WAS surprising to see Phil Dalton's Jan. 11 letter to the editor (``They're looking out for No. 1'') blaming Congressman Bob Goodlatte and House Republicans for making federal employees at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and other federal agencies work without wages during the government shutdown.
The fact is that Goodlatte voted with a majority in the House and Senate to pass a budget to put federal employees back to work. And before someone like Dalton complains that their budget slashed spending to the bone, I will point out that the budget passed by Congress actually increased spending for veterans' medical centers.
It was the draft-dodging president, Bill Clinton, who vetoed the veterans' budget, and refused for weeks to put forward his own balanced budget.
RONKEITH ADKINS
ROANOKE
A self-righteous view of immigrants
JOHN Voit's commentary (Jan. 9, ``Immigration is driving up U.S. prison population'') is one of the most misleading, pompous and self-righteous commentaries I've read.
I'm sad and worried about his attitude. Because he's studying criminal justice, I'm reminded of the recent episode of the Los Angeles Police Department's Mark Fuhrman in: how a law-enforcement officer's deep-seated racism blinds his capacity to do his work according to law instead of acting on his prejudiced attitude. Therefore, I cannot help but doubt Voit's effectiveness in treating people of different races and ethnicity fairly and justly once he becomes a law-enforcement officer.
Voit assumes that the growth of California's prison population, the subject of a National Public Radio report, is due to ``criminal aliens,'' which I believe is absolutely inaccurate. According to various media reports, a very small percentage of ``alien'' prisoners are actually criminal offenders. At the same time, large numbers of inmates are either political, economical or religious refugees. That hardly makes them criminals, because all of us are here for one of those reasons.
Although I don't pretend to be an expert, Voit's shallow knowledge and memory of U.S. immigration history is quite scandalous. Isn't it ironic that he is a remnant of an uninvited guest that's quite unassimilable to Native Americans? Yet he has the audacity to suggest that the government institute immigration policy favoring an easily assimilable race. As evidenced by his ranting about the recent increase in the immigration population of Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, Eastern Europe and Russia, I presume when he speaks of assimilable race that he's referring to Western Europeans of the colonial era.
I suggest he spend his energy and effort in learning to respect and to accept everyone, regardless of race and ethnicity, because he really needs it if he plans to live in the United States.
SAE-JIN YU
ROANOKE
Cranwell's ethics are commendable
i WANT to express my regrets and congratulations regarding the issue of House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell's representation of Trigon (Jan. 19 article, ``Cranwell quits as Trigon attorney''). Though there may have been no conflict of interest, the appearance of the potential of just such a conflict could be disquieting.
``Perception is reality'' is a danger. Though it's costly to his law practice and to him personally, I commend and applaud his timely, responsible conclusion of this issue. He demonstrated a degree of sensitivity to the voters' concerns, and a degree of integrity that is commendable and should be considered as an example to be followed.
I found it somewhat bemusing that no one openly recalled an issue that was raised during the fall election campaigns when it was learned that Gov. George Allen and, through the governor, Trixie Averill, had received thousands of dollars in donations - not fees earned - from a corporation then under investigation by the state. When asked about a conflict of interest, they blandly denied even the possibility, and categorically refused to return the donations. I found their in-your-face attitude and dismissal of the voters' concerns to be insulting and disheartening.
In a time when at both state and national levels there's a need for all representatives to ``put up or shut up,'' and to ``put their money where their mouth is,'' it's gratifying to see a tangible demonstration of the ethics we all hope for but so rarely see in our elected officials. It's a rare opportunity that has been given to us, and I hope others realize what an asset Cranwell is to this area and to the entire state, in whatever capacity or office he serves.
PAUL T. HATAM
CLOVERDALE
In Salem, for sure, three's a crowd
SINCE THE other Doug Grahams of Salem have written and expressed various and sundry opinions, I feel it necessary (as the third Doug Graham) to announce my formal entry into the letters-to-the-editor arena.
The Doug Graham Society: Other Doug Grahams notwithstanding, it's my duty as a faithful member of the DGS to announce its annual meeting on April 1. To preregister for this event, please contact the Doug Graham of your choice.
DOUGLAS ALLEN GRAHAM
SALEM
Let the sponsors sign their names
REGARDING the Jan 25 photograph and article, ``Ad manager: Threats killed `diversity' billboard'':
The billboard was simply signed ``Gay and Straight Citizens of Southwest Va.'' Well, I'm one of those citizens, but I don't like the slogan on the billboard.
Citizens of Southwest Virginia, gay or straight, who feel as I do should be furious, too, because you're being used to promote this. If this group wants advertisement, then it should become a formal group. Or let everyone of its supporters proudly display their names on the next billboard. Let me out of it.
ROBIN ZIMMERMAN
THAXTON
The solution is obviously `Bridget'
SAM. G. Riley, the professor of communication studies at Virginia Tech, has come up with an interesting concept with reference to the naming of Roanoke's new pedestrian bridge (Jan. 22 letter to the editor, ``What about Bob? Nosireebob. Maybe Tom? Dick? Harry?'').
We need to look no further. Let's get this issue out of the way. Name the bridge ``Bridget.''
MASON MILLER JR.
ROANOKE
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