ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, February 17, 1997 TAG: 9702170067
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
Neighbors' concerns are pooh-poohed
IT IS sad to see the position that Roanoke County School Superintendent Deanna Gordon, Roanoke County School Board member Thomas Leggette and some Hidden Valley School representatives have taken on the opening of Mt. Holland Road to school traffic.
At Roanoke City Council's Jan 21 public hearing, they pointed fingers, made unfair comparisons, and took a completely unreasonable approach.
Gordon read the ``law'' concerning the closing of a road. Leggette was very condescending when speaking of Mt. Holland residents' concerns about noise from increased traffic. He said, ``A $1.50 set of ear plugs will solve that problem.''
Parents from Hidden Valley pleaded their case by comparing the proposed 4-inch curb and landscaping (barricade) to the Berlin Wall, and the dispute to the fighting in Bosnia. These same representatives have been quick to label this issue a ``city vs. county'' controversy.
There were veiled threats from school principal David Blevins concerning the use of Hidden Valley grounds by Mt. Holland residents for walking, exercise, etc. In the past, he had looked the other way, even though ``No Trespassing'' signs were posted. In The Roanoke Times' Jan. 22 news article (``City closes school access''), there were suggestions that the issue might be taken to court.
These representatives also were quick to talk about being ``good neighbors'' and ``what are we teaching our children.'' Indeed, what are they teaching? My way or no way? Insult your neighbors with condescending remarks? Make light of valid concerns? Make unfair and biased comparisons?
If this were my neighborhood and the road had been closed (by Roanoke County) for more than 20 years, I wouldn't want it opened. I would do just what the Mt. Holland residents have done - campaign to keep it closed!
Hidden Valley representatives have failed miserably to recognize this neighborhood's concerns. Why don't they fling their insults at the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, state representatives? Why don't they take Roanoke city up on its offer to assist in getting a traffic light at U.S. 419? Why take an unsafe situation and make it worse?
I hope the city moves quickly on installing the ``Berlin Wall.''
PAMELA URSOY
ROANOKE
Leave abortion out of family planning
YOUR JAN. 31 editorial, "Abortion foes keep abortion rates high," is as full of holes in logic as Valley View Mall's driveway is full of holes in asphalt! Poverty does not cause abortions any more than it causes violent crime. If that were true, then the Depression would have been the most violent period in American history, which it was not.
Except in extreme cases, it's the flagrant disregard for unborn human life that causes abortion. So, please don't lay the responsibility of abortion at pro-life members' feet.
You beg the question when you equate opposition to abortion and opposition to contraception. I would support U.S. funds being given to those organizations that limit their efforts to contraception. What pro-life supporters cannot support are funds given to agencies that include abortion as a legitimate family-planning technique.
SCOT FINLEY
ROANOKE
Hoover's FBI harassed a hero
DONALD R. Johnson's Jan 27 letter to the editor (``King's communist leanings recalled'') greatly disturbed us. He called Martin Luther King Jr. a communist and a racial agitator.
We see why someone who wasn't educated about the civil-rights movement and the ``red scare'' might think it was alarming that the FBI, led by J. Edgar Hoover, kept a close eye on King. But if you look closely at history, you'll find that during that period, many people - including movie stars, film producers and other innocent citizens - were suspected of being communists and were ``monitored'' by the FBI.
King was, after all, a citizen of the United States and was entitled to the same rights as any other citizen. So, illegally tapping his phone calls, planting false articles in newspapers and starting rumors about him - all of which we know Hoover did - violated his constitutional rights.
Even if it's true that King got a few of his ideas from his communist friends, does this mean he was a communist? Actually, many of his ideas came from Gandhi and Thoreau.
If you recognize and celebrate Martin Luther King Day, you are honoring a great man and leader who gave his life for the freedom of all people.
HAYLEY RICHARDSON
ELIZA TEMELES
SARAH SACHS
ROANOKE
Fishing elitists took over the river
MY FAMILY and I have lived on the Jackson River above Westvaco for 13 years, and I have watched the slow metamorphosis of a once-beautiful, people-friendly river into a cold stream, accessible only to those who wear insulated gear.
Gone are the days when the water was so clear that you could see the fish swim among the rocks in 10 feet of clean water, and when you could walk in the warm water over beautiful rocks picked cleaned by the snails. No longer can I see the beautiful smallmouth bass, catfish and other sunfish that made their homes in the river grass.
Trout Unlimited struck a deal with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Army Corps of Engineers more than 20 years ago to replace their trout haven, which was swallowed by Lake Moomaw when the Gathright Dam was built, with a fishery located downstream to Covington. The only problem with this plan is it dealt with a stretch of the river that is more than 90 percent privately owned.
There are only four public-access points to this long stretch of river. And contrary to reports of Outdoor editor Bill Cochran (Jan. 26 column, ``New rule on Jackson isn't a keeper, locals say''), these areas aren't filled with fishermen braving the elements to land a trophy trout.
The river has been taken from those who own it (at least the land over which it flows) and has been given to fishing's elite. Regardless of how Bob Belton, chairman of the Virginia Council of Trout Unlimited, spins it, Trout Unlimited is an elitist organization. Once again, a facility has been taken from the majority and given to a small, powerful minority. Too bad our Board of Supervisors has just decided to get involved.
I suggest Cochran visit the issue from the landowners' viewpoint rather than being the spokesperson for Trout Unlimited and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. He should talk to the people who have been harmed by this long-running soap opera. Then, perhaps, he would report both sides of the issue, and the public would be far better served by your publication.
ROBERT S. TUCKER
COVINGTON
Animals are looking for love
I AGREE with Walter Bibb's Jan. 30 letter to the editor, ``Make life better for animal friends.'' It shocks and saddens me to think of all the pets that are being killed each day.
Even though they may not have papers or cost big bucks, they would be happy to be faithful, loving companions to anyone who will have them. I believe these pets will be more loyal because you have saved them from certain death.
Animals only want to love and be loved. How unfortunate that so many don't get the chance.
DEBBIE L. MONTCASTLE
ROANOKE
Kilgore's candidacy is welcomed
I WAS pleased that Jerry Kilgore has announced his candidacy for attorney general. His experience as secretary of public safety, coupled with his intelligence and dedication, will enable him to serve Virginians with honor and distinction.
Working with Gov. George Allen, Kilgore has been instrumental in building more prisons and creating jobs, abolishing parole, putting inmates to work, and tripling the time served by murderers and armed robbers. These efforts, plus many others, have led to a 12 percent decrease in crime since 1994 when Allen took office.
With Attorney General Jim Gilmore seeking the office of governor in 1997, we must elect Kilgore as attorney general to ensure that we keep a strong law-and-order person in that office.
BOBBY MAY
HURLEY
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