roanoke.com: Southwest Virginia starts here - after 5(a.m.)

Ok, Im looking directly into the gaping maw of the beast here.

You start with this story (after ofcourse, the important I/O junk at the top - because everyone should have to hunt for the headlines) "RIVER CLEANUP
Three pressing issues give the Roanoke City Council a rather more intensive day than usual. " Well this shows promise..

Part one of the story involves cleaning up the Roanoke River through a partnership between the City and volunteers. And the Flood Abatement program.

Allright, who saw the news last night? What major issue did the Council vote on? What issue that is generally unsupported, according to a WSLS poll? Um. Not here - keep moving...

Part 2 of the City Councils day... "SOUTHERN HILLS" - Allright, cool. City votes to finally upgrade the Southern Hills area, bringing it inline with the late 20th Century. And it seems that this development is not truly tied to the Home Depot that might be built there, not totally... still missing something.

Part 3 (the wrap up) - Its headline is "Rental Inspection." Its basically about Roanoke changing the rental inspection laws, bringing it inline with changes the state made last year. Umm.. still missing something. Keep reading....

"In other action, the council unanimously approved the issuance of $12.8 million in general obligation public improvement bonds for a handful of capital projects.

The bonds are expected to pay $3.7 million to aid in the construction of the new art museum in downtown; $2.6 million for pubic parking facilities; $2.6 million for a financial information system project; and $4 million for the purchase of the Countryside Golf Course should the council choose to exercise its option on the land where it hopes to see mixed-use housing developed.

Only one person spoke during a public hearing on the bonds. Sarah Higgins of Countryside Road said she spoke on behalf of the Countryside Neighborhood Steering Committee and asked the council not to go forward with the Countryside purchase."


Hidden. One line, not even a full sentence. And then to note only one person spoke, and not even on the issue of the Art Museum makes it sound like the museum is widely accepted and uncontested. But.. what can one expect from the paper which touts the museum as " grand architecture or the Wreck of the Flying Nun." A term used when the design was first unveiled a few short months ago. Because there have been no serious challenges made - so we keep using the silly name. Make those who oppose it seem trivial. Good job RT - wonderful choices in reporting the story.