ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, August 22, 1996 TAG: 9608220003
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
THE LOCKED gate between Hidden Valley Junior High School and the adjoining neighborhood is a perfect symbol of the lack of cooperation between the city and county (Aug. 13 article, ``School road stirs problems'').
It would cost the city nothing to open this gate, and would greatly benefit the safety of all children who attend Hidden Valley Junior High. If increased traffic through a residential neighborhood is really the main objection, a gate could be put in place that would allow only buses to pass.
I believe, however, that the real objections are unspoken. Roanoke city and Roanoke County have been at odds over nearly everything since I've lived here, and this is just one more small example. Grudges over past wrongs seem to die hard or not at all, and each side takes every opportunity to gouge the other's eyes out.
It seems to me that it's time to stop looking in the rearview mirror to see the future.
As others more articulate than I have said: ``Get over it!'' Cooperate.
LARRY MORGAN
ROANOKE
Photo gave Dole shabby treatment
IS THE Roanoke Times giving an early endorsement to the presidential incumbent via photographs (front page of the Aug. 11 Horizon section)?
On the left is a suited, blue-eyed, Boy Clinton, holding family-values ring finger to jutting jaw, and with post-tarmac haircut. To the right is challenger Bob Dole, invariably natty, but herein portrayed with rumpled, open-collared shirt, and stubble on his chin and upper lip.
My grandson also didn't like the two photographs. He thought you were mean because you should have made both men look nice, and you should be fair.
Take a walk to the nearest Republican headquarters for a better photograph of Dole!
MARGARET A. WHITEIS
HUDDLESTON
Enough on Henry Street's `crisis'
ISN'T IT about time that the Henry Street ``crisis'' was resolved?
Given the potential of the proposed graduate center in the old Norfolk-Southern office buildings, I would suggest:
Tear down the remaining two abandoned buildings on Henry Street.
Asphalt the whole thing.
Name it the Noel C. Taylor Parking Lot.
And be done with it!
ROBERT E. FIREBAUGH
ROANOKE
Zap the zucchini stories, please
REGARDING Beth Macy's Aug. 13 column, ``Bar the doors: The zucchini is coming!'':
The only thing I dread more than the zucchini harvest each summer is the overabundance of stories, jokes, comic strips and amusing anecdotes concerning zucchini.
Let's give it a rest, shall we?
SHARON Z. CARROLL
ROANOKE
Label should have been `Dirt on Dole'
I RELY on my local newspaper for reliable, accurate and unbiased reporting of the news. But your front-page box on Aug. 15 on the GOP national convention and the section ``Data on Dole'' was an example of journalism at its worst, an abuse of power if I ever saw one.
Apparently you're taking your personal politics to the front page to sling mud at Bob Dole and to promote your obvious opposition to him. Instead of ``Data on Dole,'' you should have titled it ``Dirt on Dole.'' And what pathetic little you did come up with was more innuendo dirt than real dirt.
What about all the good that he has done, his war record, how well he has been thought of in the Senate as evidenced by his election to leadership, and how well he is thought of by staffers, veterans and others? It seems you lost that data. If you're going to label a paragraph ``Data on Dole,'' then get all the data - not just the part that you think will help your personal or company politics - or don't put it on the front page of my newspaper.
I noticed your front-page box, obviously embellished with color to draw attention, was unsigned. I'm signing my letter, although I doubt you would ever publish it.
ROBERT C. BYE
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Medium: 90 linesby CNB