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Check out libraries before diminishing their importance

I continue to be amazed by those who would perpetuate ignorance by advocating the demise of the public library.

Citizens who don't use the public libraries in the Roanoke Valley extrapolate their lack of use to others, and state with some authority that the libraries are "little used."

I have been an active volunteer with the public libraries for more than a decade, during which time I have seen library usage increase, and under the recent direction of Director of Libraries Sheila Umberger, it has grown dramatically.

Moving money to the library was not done "willy nilly" or without a plan.

There was an exhaustive study of library use and citizens' expectations of library services that resulted in the production of a plan for library growth, which has been adopted by Roanoke City Council and is available in your public library.

Implementing the city's library plan will mean more opportunities for students to improve test scores, better access to job opportunities and training for career advancement, a safe environment for teens and young people to congregate, and meeting space for citizens who gather to build a stronger community.

President

Roanoke Public Library Foundation

Goode represents the district well

Rep. Virgil Goode has always made himself available to and for the people of Virginia. He also seems to be able to state his position on the things that concern our communities.

Al Weed's only position seems to be to sling mud as he attempts to belittle Goode.

Perhaps since he's not from here, he has no idea of the needs of Southwestern Virginia and its surrounding communities.

GOP is all talk, no action on supporting vets

One cannot help but notice the campaign signs proclaiming "Veterans for Allen." Sen. Allen would like us to believe that he supports veterans, but what does his voting record show?

The Web site Vawatchdog.org gives a breakdown of every U.S. congressman and percentage of times they voted "yes" in favor of veterans' benefits.

Collectively, representatives who voted between 75 and 100 percent of the time with a "yes" vote for veteran benefits were 193 Democrats and one Republican.

More than 225 Republicans voted less than 40 percent in favor of veteran benefits. Senators who voted 50 percent or higher were 44 Democrats and three Republicans.

It seems as if the Republican motto is, "Of course I support veterans, but not enough to vote them any benefits."

How did our politicians fare in voting for veterans benefits? Allen voted less than 42 percent "yes," Virgil Goode less than 20 percent in favor, Bob Goodlatte zero and Rick Boucher voted 100 percent for veterans.

Voters have a choice in the Senate between a cowboy or highly decorated Navy Vietnam veteran and former Secretary of the Navy Jim Webb. Running against Goode is a 42-year veteran of the Army, Al Weed.

It's time for the "support the troops" brigade to do more than just sport a ribbon.

Keep chauvinistic views out of the U.S. Senate

Jim Webb wrote "Women Can't Fight" for the Washingtonian magazine (1979).

In the article, he described an academy hall that housed 4,000 men and 300 women as a "horny woman's dream" and that the U.S. military "lost more than it gained" by admitting women.

He also said he'd never met a woman who he "would trust to provide those men with combat leadership."

With our country at war, barely a day goes by without stories of heroism from our troops, both men and women.

Yet even now, Webb refuses to apologize for his chauvinistic views and refuses to even say he may have been wrong.

While easily switching political parties, Webb holds fast to views that have no place in either party. His views certainly have no place in the U.S. Senate.

At work on clearing the valley's air

I appreciate Jeremy Holmes' comments (Sept. 17 commentary, "Localities already are cleaning up") about the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission's efforts to reduce air pollution.

We activists and affiliates of Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition are well aware of this multi-government commission's work. In fact, our pamphlet of 10 gas-saving tips cites his RIDE Solutions service as the primary source for local car-pooling information.

The commission's work on the Roanoke Valley Early Action Plan is to be applauded. That plan's purpose is to meet the Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards in order to avoid federal sanctions for non-compliance.

As Holmes pointed out, however, it doesn't address the problem of unregulated greenhouse gases, which are the major cause of global climate change.

Because of this cause/effect relationship, RVCCC advocates a reduction in CO2 emissions by all means possible. RVCCC is also addressing emissions resulting from the generation of electricity.

Energy conservation, efficiency and the use of clean energy sources are among the best and easiest ways to reduce the amount of CO2 emissions from fossil-fuel power plants.

MARK McCLAIN

Assistant coordinator

Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition

The city's latest 'park'ing lot

I have always enjoyed the Crystal Spring Park. It is a beautiful plot of land just at the foot of Mill Mountain containing the old Crystal Spring Pumping Station and several tennis courts.

The park has provided a lovely and restful view for Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and Carilion Rehab patients.

I have noticed recently that the Western Virginia Water Authority is using it as a place to park its utility trucks and work vehicles. The park now resembles an industrial yard. Is this a proper use for a city park?

Tech's intelligence scares away opponents

In response to Jack Simmons' Sept. 14 letter to the editor, "High stakes waged on college sports":

Young adults, not children, go to college.

Quite frankly, education goes beyond the books and professors. It's about preparing for life. Sports can teach a ton, especially in a society where sports are everywhere.

Yes, Virginia Tech paid $375,000 for Northeastern University to come to Lane Stadium. But that's because no team wants to play in Blacksburg.

Why? Because of the fans who have been educated in the ways of unity, respect and pride and because the Hokies are coached by Frank Beamer, who is a hero to many due to the values and beliefs he teaches his players every day.

In fact, it's the high level of Hokie intelligence that scares potential opposing teams away.

Lane Stadium on Saturdays is full of goodness and happiness. That's because of Beamer, his staff, his team and the well-educated fans of Tech.

Now, that's an education worth experiencing.