2008.01.31
Discuss Thursday's commentary and letters
We've spoiled kids rotten
Linda Whitlock
Whitlock, an adjunct English professor who lives in Salem, is a Roanoke Times columnist.
In high school, I had a friend whose parents made her pay for her own toothpaste, shampoo and other basic necessities that most parents routinely buy for their kids. Back then, I thought her parents were just being mean. Now, I can't help but wonder if today's kids would be better off if more parents did the same.
Read more.
Valley Forward's promises don't add up
Dick Howard
Howard is a former food service designer. He lives in Roanoke County.
In unveiling his group's second, revised proposal for Rockledge, the Valley Forward spokesman emphasized that the downsizing was in response to public disapproval of the amount of green space on Mill Mountain Park that would have been destroyed by the original 80,000-square-foot inn, restaurant and parking garage shown in proposal No. 1. Valley Forward stated it was able to eliminate the need for a large, concrete, costly parking garage because it had eliminated the overnight lodging.
Read more.
High Knob tower is worth the price
Duane Akridge and Joyce M. Payne
Akridge lives in Big Stone Gap and is the 2008 president of the Wise County Chamber of Commerce. Payne lives in Norton and is the executive vice president for the Wise County Chamber of Commerce.
On behalf of the Wise County Chamber of Commerce, we are writing in response to the editorial "High Knob tower isn't national priority" (Jan. 4). Your editorial referenced what you called a "lesser-known" landmark -- the High Knob Observation Tower -- and its destruction by fire on Oct. 31. Wise County is abundant with the most natural, beautiful scenery available in the commonwealth of Virginia. The High Knob Observation Tower, which was located in the Jefferson National Forest, was among the most unusual treasures available to the commonwealth for displaying such beauty. Although the tower was enjoyed and appreciated by local residents, it was valued and treasured by thousands of former residents and visitors from across the United States. Its destruction touched the hearts of tens of thousands of people.
Read more.
Thursday's letters can be read here.
RSS feed 
Excellent column by Linda Whitlock! Addressing this would go a long way into solving many of the problems we currently face, as she noted.
This is one reason I like the Scouts. It teaches boys and young men the importance of values, honesty, service, respect, etc. It also teaches them vital life skills that are sorely lacking in todays citizens.
Great work, Ms. Whitlock!
Comment by Ed S. — January 31, 2008 @ 11:54 am