ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 5, 1996 TAG: 9606050015
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
THAT GIANT retailer, Wal-Mart, has proved once again that its interest in a community is only the generation of revenue, with little or no attention given to being a good corporate citizen. The citizens of Fredericksburg were right to fight Wal-Mart's plan for putting a store next to Ferry Farm, the boyhood home of George Washington.
The pitiful landscaping at the new Valley View Wal-Mart is yet another indictment of its inattention to the character of the neighborhood. When Henry Faison and Associates of Charlotte, N.C., built Valley View Mall, care was taken to plant trees, shrubs and flowers to enhance the natural beauty of the area. Berms were built along the roadway to provide a more aesthetic view from Interstate 581.
Now Wal-Mart, with its ``discount motif,'' has planted several small evergreens at the rear of the store, as seen from I-581. Some of the small evergreens have blown over, and it's obvious that no attempt has been made to improve the site as seen from the highway. There goes the neighborhood!
Come on, Wal-Mart, Roanoke isn't in Arkansas. Spend a little money to give travelers on I-581 a view that will compliment your neighbors at Valley View, and take pride in where you are doing business!
EDWARD J. BENNETT
ROANOKE
Food tax punishes Virginia's poor
I WANT to commend and applaud you for your May 18 editorial, ``That sickening food tax.'' We've been living here 11 years, and have been ``sickened'' by the irresponsible, shameful and immoral sales tax on food!
In March 1994, I wrote to Gov. George Allen expressing my disgust and aversion for a tax that's regressive and, without doubt, one that taxes the health and welfare of the most vulnerable, the poor - especially the very poor! The answer I received was inane, and didn't address the basic and fundamental problem created by this unjust tax.
JOE LIPTON
ROANOKE
Real Republicans will support Warner
THE ULTRACONSERVATIVES did it to us Republicans once with Mike Farris. They did it a second time with Oliver North. Now, they're trying to do it a third time with Jim Miller.
Are we willing to give up a true Virginia gentleman who has shown by his service to all Virginians that he's a man of integrity, character and ability, and is willing to put the interests of our state above party? Are we willing to lose the advantage of his seniority and experience because he refused to support two non-Virginians who had and have serious shortcomings? I think not.
On June 11, with the help of independents, real Republicans and those who value our traditional Virginia standards over mere partisan politics, we will nominate John Warner for another term in the U.S. Senate.
I am a lifelong Republican.
DORIS T. COBBS
ROANOKE
Warner's dubious sense of integrity
RICHARD K. Burton's May 25 letter to the editor was titled ``Warner has proved he has integrity.'' Really! What has he done to prove uprightness, honesty and sincerity? Was it by crucifying Mike Farris, the candidate for lieutenant governor in 1993?
Farris worked hard and gained the nomination by his energy, commitment and accomplishment. He proved that money, luck and privilege are not prerequisites to doing something significant with one's life. His campaign was destroyed by John Warner's passivity in the face of ugly and unambiguous religious bigotry. Why would a man of true integrity be ``troubled'' by a person's religious beliefs?
Warner has never had to fight for anything. He's an accidental senator, becoming the GOP nominee in 1978 only after original nominee Richard Obenshain was killed in a plane crash. If he had survived, Obenshain would still be our senator today, and the name John Warner would be unknown.
Warner stated to the press recently that he was against abortion except in cases involving rape, incest or endangerment to the mother. But he has voted to use government funds to pay for abortions. How two-faced can you get?
God's word tells us that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Does taking a hypocritical stance on an important issue like abortion prove integrity? Or destroying a fellow Republican's candidacy simply because he's a Christian? Can I vote for someone like this? I don't think so, not with a clear conscience. Can you?
C. BERKLEY STEVENS
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Medium: 88 linesby CNB