We've only just begun...

During my wanderings and ramblings downtown, I'm beginning to sense a non-election cycle based disquiet. Now I realize we are in the latter third of an election campaign, but alot of what I am hearing has little to do with the elections.

It would seem a good number of the citizens of Roanoke (aged 20-40ish) are realizing they have no voice in the city. With all the talk of "Who will think of the children??" and the older citizens grumbles about Victory Stadium and how this city will never compare to a real city like Charlotte.

I'm going to say something on behalf of all my fellow non-Baby Boomers out there.

You don't like it. Leave.

Many of the people I talk with, they are happy with the city. They love Roanoke and all it stands for, the history and the people. What they are not happy with is the way the city has been dragged over the coals by the local press, giving the impression this is some jerkwater burg where mud still flows in the streets, ignorant and uneducated citizens sit idly by while the few and rare educated elite attempt to guide the city towards the 21st century, despite the best efforts of the unwashed masses.

This is not so. There are thousands of hard working people here in Roanoke, who want only the best for the city. But after years of seeing the city bend to the will of the small minority of rich, well off businesspeople - they have given up on attempting to make any major changes.

The "conspiracy theory" of Carilion wanting to own this town bears out this point. Carilion is a business, and like any business wants expansion. Inherent in expansion is growth, for both the business and the community. Carilion is not outsourcing nursing jobs, importing nurses from other countries - they are hiring locally. As they are with the Maintanence staff, security, foodservice, housekeeping and all the rest. Growth for Carilion creates growth in the job market. Therefore it is incumbent upon the government to assist and aid Carilion in any way it can, to continue the growth.

Would anyone say no to NS building a new rail yard, complete with maintanence shops, if it would create 100 new jobs?

Certain people view Carilion as a great evil. A big corporation solely concerned with the profit it can generate. But they do so without recognizing the basics of life and business. First off - with a sick and dying population, there is no Carilion. The Hospital and its associated medical community would obviously not be doing its job, and therefore would fall to the wayside.

But who is Carilions closest competiton? Lewis-Gale. A hospital which was recently sold to HCA due to bankrupcy issues. Did Carilion lunge at the opportunity to buy out Lewis-Gale? If they did, I didn't see it. But to be honest, it would serve no purpose for them to do so.

So where is the big evil conspiracy now? Carilion is not building some now monolithic hospital where people formerly resided. About the only think Carilion has done is totally block access to Mill Mountain via the old Incline Railway, but an emergency room has to go somewhere.

There are many people who you do not hear from regularly, people who like Carilion and the work they do - and recognize the value of having such a "healthsystem" here. Charlottesville has one, but Charlottesville also has a university to support it. Roanoke does not, therefore we have Carilion. Any one of the local schools could choose to open a clinic wherever and whenever they wanted. That's a choice they make.

Everyone has a choice, you can either grow and compete in this market, or you can leave. You forfeit your voice when you choose stagnation. You betray the city, yourself, and your neighbors.

The 20-40 year olds have seen this stagnation for a good while now, and are tired of it. They are beginning to recognize the betrayal for what it is. Time is running out for you great thinkers, politicos and pundits, architects of change, and so-called leaders.

The 20-40 year olds are coming to the realization that they have been let down, and will no longer allow it to continue. You might not see it this election cycle, but just wait. They are tired of having a place to call home, but no community to speak of.



Perhaps now might be a good time to embrace the younger generation of Roanoke, and return them to the fold. Before the cost grows dearer, the price paid higher, and the Voice of the People forced upon the town. It's a good time to reach out, rather than ignore.

Discuss it on the messageboard.