I’ve been paid paltry sums for a few of my articles over the years, but I’ve never made my living as a writer. With that being said, my ability to write has been a major contributing factor to just about everything I’ve ever done successfully. I’ve received a few compliments, and I have a general [...]
To say that folks in Roanoke are resistant to change is something of an understatement. In the 5 years since I returned after a 20 year absence, I have been continually dumbfounded by the level of opposition to just about every proposed development or change. Granted, there are many things in our beloved Roanoke Valley [...]
In yet another demonstration of the remarkable gullibility of the American electorate, the price of gasoline has recently taken center stage in the presidential election debate. As we’ve come to expect, candidates from both sides are lining up to tell the voters exactly what they want to hear, rather than what they desperately need to [...]
Before the Joe Smith ads appeared in local papers last weekend, I had already made up my mind to ignore the endorsements of various organizations for their chosen slates of candidates, and instead select individual candidates based on their merits. While the “For the City” slate that swept the last election was instrumental in finally [...]
When Valley Forward initially proposed the idea of recreating the Rockledge Inn on Mill Mountain, I was opposed to the project, but not for the reasons most commonly put forth. Opponents of the idea rely on the arguments that Roanoke already has too many restaurants, or that the building would somehow desecrate a pristine wilderness, [...]
Let me say upfront that I am neither a supporter nor an opponent of Court Rosen. I know very little about him other than that he is well spoken and has a natural gift for providing eloquent but evasive answers to pointed questions. I also know that Mr. Rosen was recently the victim of a [...]
As the largest employer in the Roanoke Valley, and the driving force behind our local economy, Carilion Clinic is an 800 pound gorilla of sorts, second only to Virginia Tech in terms of it’s regional economic impact. The new clinic facility, and soon to be constructed medical school, will undoubtedly provide a major economic boost [...]
For as long as I can remember, there has been a great deal of talk around the Roanoke Valley about regional cooperation, but in my lifetime I have witnessed very few concrete results. The current debate over the location of an intermodal freight facility in Elliston gives us a clear example of why progress is [...]
I’m one of those people who take my right to vote seriously, and I can’t remember the last time I didn’t vote in a local, state, or national election. Unfortunately, I also can’t remember the last time there was a candidate on any ballot that I was actually excited to vote for. In most cases, [...]
On Tuesday evening, I attended a forum with all of the candidates for Roanoke City Council and Mayor. Actually, all of the candidates save one were in attendance. Brian Wishneff’s decision not to participate was probably related to the fact that he had publicly referred to his fellow council members as slimy democracy hating thugs [...]