EDITORIAL: More work to do on college costs
For the second consecutive fall, most Virginia students attending the state’s four-year public colleges and universities can return to campus without experiencing extreme sticker shock. Tuition and all mandatory fees for in-state undergraduates will increase by an average of 4.7 percent, or $468, over last year, according to a report released last week by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Students at community colleges will see a 4.4 percent
Taming the tax code beast
“Colleagues,” said the June 27 letter to 98 U.S. senators, “now it is your turn.” The letter’s authors are Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the chairman and ranking Republican on the tax-writing Finance Committee, respectively. From their combined 71 years on Capitol Hill, they know their colleagues will tiptoe gingerly, if at all, onto the hazardous terrain of tax reform. Together with Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., of the
LETTERS: Jackson will kill Cuccinelli’s hopes
Jackson will kill Cuccinelli’s hopes The more the Rev. E.W. Jackson says, the more I’m convinced he is in the employ of the Democratic Party. If not, he is proving to be the most valuable ally the Democrats have in this campaign. Jackson’s “anti-God,” “anti-life” and “anti-family” remarks on radio WLEE in Richmond Aug. 1 dampen further any hope for the GOP this fall. A man of the cloth, Jackson
Registrars told persistence may pay off
Voter registrars are not a shy group of people. The election officials held their statewide conference in Roanoke last week and invited three local legislators to speak. Before the lawmakers could settle into their seats, they were asked when they planned to raise registrars’ pay. How’s that for an ice-breaker? I guess you have to be pretty assertive when it’s your job to referee tired voters, impatient politicians and late-night
COMMENTARY: Social justice “acceptance” and the 1st Amendment
Re: “Defending against discrimination” (commentary by Joe Ivers, Aug. 4): A correction concerning a quotation inaccurately attributed to me has been issued (and I understand the mistake was due to an editorial slip). However, I feel my position has been muddied. As I carefully explained in my July 7 commentary (“School board vote on orientation challenged”), sexual harassment rules already protect against discrimination. Montgomery County Publc Schools attorney Brad King
EDITORIAL: Bridging the technology divide
This spring, the state Department of Education required all elementary schoolchildren to take their reading and writing Standards of Learning exams on computers. While the switch from pencil and paper was some years in the making, for many Roanoke students the fine-tuning of software and formatting changes fell a little too close to exam time for comfort. For children whose every-day lives are filled with typing, texting, swiping and maneuvering
PICK OF THE DAY: History museum should mind its business
Perhaps the History Museum of Western Virginia should not have borrowed money with no income to pay the note back (“Historical society faces ‘untenable situation,’ ” Aug. 3 news story). Why do we continually read about museums in Roanoke not living within their means? Those who run a business know how to make a profit and survive. Why not hold the history museum to the same business model? Maybe it’s because
COMMENTARY: A tenuous link to gun sales
Re: “Gun crime drops in Va. as gun sales rise,” Aug. 4 news story. Improvements to gun safety laws were proposed to stop criminals from being able to obtain guns. If we have speed limits, but enforce them only Monday through Thursday, speeders know exactly when to do their speeding — and that is during the 40 percent of time the law is not enforced. The law-abiding driver does not
COMMENTARY: Climate-change zealotry will cost jobs
America is in the process of shooting itself in the foot. At a time when the U.S. economy is improving and offering relief to middle-class families, the people who run our government seem more determined than ever to dampen opportunities for prosperity. Statistics show the U.S. economy finally is regaining strength. Domestic oil and natural gas production is climbing due to advanced technologies. U.S. manufacturing is experiencing an uptick while manufacturing
Virginians must continue to safeguard the national forests
Since they were established 95 years ago, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests have provided a beautiful backdrop and a beloved back yard for the Roanoke Valley region. Now the GW, the largest national forest east of the Mississippi, faces an unprecedented threat as the federal government considers opening it up to natural gas drilling. The treasured GW helps support Virginia’s multimillion-dollar tourism and outdoor recreation industry, as more
COMMENTARY: Foundation for Roanoke Valley
Twenty-five years ago, in August 1988, several civic leaders in the Roanoke Valley were brought together by the Council of Community Services. They met quietly to establish a brand new, nonprofit organization. There was no fanfare, no ribbon cutting, no celebratory speeches. But the shared vision and leadership of this group of nine, chaired by the late Barton W. Morris, set in motion something that would have a dramatic impact
Domestic oil and gas industries would cease without fracking
More than six years ago, I retired from the natural gas and oil industry. I thought I had everything planned until I began worrying about my children’s and grandchildren’s future. Without clean, affordable, dependable, domestic energy, they will have a cold, dark future. If we have to depend on foreign powers for our energy, they won’t be free. My retirement was short — one day. A friend called out of
LETTERS: Untangle traffic and fill the city coffers
Untangle traffic and fill the city coffers The intersection of Williamson Road and Elm Avenue is a traffic nightmare. Drivers routinely block the entire intersection and stop the flow of traffic. The Code of Virginia states that traffic must stop on red. The fine for violating this statute is up to $350. On a daily basis, I observe more than 50 such violations when drivers ignore the red signal and
PICK OF THE DAY: A fine coach, an extraordinary mentor and friend
It is with great sadness that I read about the recent passing of Coach Rudy Dillard from William Fleming High School (“Longtime track coach dies at 66,” Aug. 7 news story). My son was a track athlete a few years ago, and I witnessed firsthand the kindness and love Coach Dillard showed at every track meet. He would come with food and drinks for his team to make sure that
EDITORIAL: Short takes
The race is run; well done A privilege of teaching is the opportunity to become a part of young lives as children hurtle through schoolrooms, hallways and fields as they rush to grow up. Rudy Dillard became a part of countless lives as a teacher, and as boys track and field and cross country coach at William Fleming High School. Before that, he taught and coached in Roanoke’s middle schools.
COMMENTARY: Climate change: No time to waste
Alwyn Moss has written an excellent commentary (“Climate change: our challenge,” Aug. 6) supporting President Obama’s climate speech and plan, and posing serious questions that still need to be answered about the economy. There is no credible scientific data to deny that the greatest problem facing the country and the global community today is climate change. Indeed, our challenges with climate change are many; however, we can and should support
EDITORIAL: Art for Everyone: the sequel
This fall, 12 art teachers will lead their students in a new public art project: painting snow plows. The plows come from Roanoke’s public works department, which will spray them with a durable clear coat, then put them into action. The idea and the funding comes from the Roanoke Arts Commission. It’s just the latest initiative to engage all of Roanoke in the arts. When the city adopted its Art
LETTERS: Elect leaders who will protect Earth
Elect leaders who will protect Earth Re: John C. Nemeth’s commentary on Aug. 3 (“Certain climate predictions”) regarding the commentary on July 29 by Brian Lindholm (“Uncertain climate predictions”): Nemeth is president of Educational and Research Consulting, CGJC Enterprises and Associates, in Christiansburg. I agree with him that so-called scientific data must be supported by the most up-to-date information supplied by creditable scientific organizations like the National Academy of Sciences,
COMMENTARY: Propane unwelcome in S.E. city
Once again, Southeast Roanoke residents must rise up and band together in a struggle to protect themselves from the unwanted intrusion of an ill-conceived proposal that ultimately would deal a devastating blow to Southeast’s future as a viable, livable neighborhood. There is a long-standing disappointment and apathy with many of the older, longtime residents of Southeast. Many have long since given up on believing that city hall cares anything about
1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County
2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day
3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys
4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping
5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football
6. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust
7. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible
8. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen
9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli
10. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area
THE ROANOKE TIMES
