ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, May 14, 1996 TAG: 9605140038
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: What's on your mind?
SOURCE: RAY REED
Q: Why can't they change the law to let us put the county decal in the upper-left corner of the windshield? Police officers could see it just as easily there, and it would be easier for people to put on and remove. On some models, it's too hard to reach the spot just above the dashboard where the decal is supposed to go.
D.K., Christiansburg
A: Why can't they change the law?
The obvious answer is that putting the decal on the bottom right-center of the windshield provides unobstructed driver vision.
It's the spot police officers are trained to check, and it's not overly convenient for theft and other monkey business.
Few things stop our state legislators from changing the things they want to change, though.
North Carolina places the inspection sticker and county decal in the lower-left corner of the windshield. Police there think it's the most visible spot, but it may not be any more accessible.
The argument for changing decal position: For most people, a more accessible spot is a matter of convenience, as you point out. For people in poor health, though, changing this sticker can be a real task.
Ways to cope with the situation: Most people get by with ordinary razor-blade scrapers that cost $2 to $3.
Tool guys (and women) might visit an auto parts store that sells a $9.95 scraper with a screwdriver-type handle. It has a curved shaft that angles the blade nicely into the apex of a laid-back, aerodynamic windshield and deep dashboard. Nonindustrial scrapers can be found at more moderate prices at most parts stores.
The third option is to visit a full-service gas station that has one of these scrapers.
Fourth, anyone who's buying a decal at the Roanoke Municipal Building may borrow a scraper from Commissioner of Revenue Marsha Fielder's office.|
Perturbed by curbs
Q: A couple of weeks ago I saw fresh curb and gutter installed on Cleveland Avenue where five new houses have been built by Habitat for Humanity. I'd like for someone in city government to explain how those houses got ahead of everybody else who has been waiting for years.
K.L., Roanoke
A: Habitat paid a private contractor to do the work you noticed.
The city had nothing to do with the priority given to the work, except that for years it has been a legal requirement for developers who build multiple houses to install all utilities, including curb and gutter.
That code may not have been on the books when your neighborhood was developed.
Roanoke's proposed budget for next year shows $200,000 for curb-and-gutter work, up from $50,000 this year.
Ron Cronise, a spokesman for Habitat, said commercial installation of curb and gutter costs about $20 per linear foot; Habitat paid about $5,000 for the Cleveland Avenue work.
At the commercial rate, Roanoke's budgeted $200,000 would install enough curb and gutter for approximately 200 houses.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Or, e-mail Roatimes@Infi.Net. Maybe we can find the answer.
LENGTH: Medium: 68 linesby CNB