6/14/06

More letters from the wave-front

Such 'planning' endangers the city's heritage


Is it true that those brilliant Roanoke planners, who tell us it is
not economically feasible to renovate Victory Stadium, are the same
bunch that allowed a $6 million overrun on the construction of a local
high school and, in doing so, forgot to budget for a phone system?


We sure are lucky to have this level of expertise making financial
decisions on matters that go to the heart of our city's heritage.


Byron Dickson


Roanoke



City lacks sound economic plans


Rarely do I agree with editorials in The Roanoke Times, but I have
to give you kudos on the editorial advocating the city council move
"slowly" on use of the Victory Stadium land after demolition (June 7,
"Don't rush into fields at Victory Stadium site").


Most citizens don't realize the money, often described as being "in
the budget," for school stadiums came from a bond issue that was to be
used for an amphitheater or renovation of Victory Stadium.


To build an amphitheater on the Victory Stadium site and/or playing
fields isn't going to be free. The city will have to float another bond
issue to pay for them.


That means more debt and probably a lower bond rating, with no
assurance that council won't go off half-cocked (again) and spend the
money on some other ill-conceived project.


Fiscal responsibility is a joke to city council, and rational action based on cost-benefit analysis seems to be unknown.


A real economic planner, as opposed to a self-described one, would
know such things. Just think of the $3 million fiasco on Orange Avenue.


Robert Craig

_________________________________________________________


Can you hear the roar of the ocean? Tide rolling in?


Or perhaps.. Tsunami?

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