The Dye House and what opinion?

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: November 26, 2008

The Dye House was blown off Danville’s seal

To the editor:
Look closely at the top quadrant of Danville’s seal. You will see the EXACT mill building that was destroyed last week.

Am I the only one who sees the irony in this?

Maybe it’s time to start hounding the city government to change the seal. First, the tobacco industry dries up, then textiles and now the Dye House goes down with the city’s blessings.

Don’t even start on the transportation and education quadrants of the seal.

If anyone in city government is paying attention, it’s time to change the seal to reflect their “new vision of Danville.” The current seal is no longer relevant — kind of like the city itself.

I’m sure there are those who will disagree, but we’re talking about a city that can’t even get its traffic lights synchronized to keep traffic moving on Riverside Drive and Piney Forest Road.

GLENN WILLIAMSON

To the editor:
The guest editorial, “Study should be on fast track,” (Nov. 17, page A8), by The News & Advance of Lynchburg, was simply pro-uranium mining propaganda. The Register & Bee should have had them buy space for their “advertorial.” The Register & Bee should also be interviewing state and local officials regarding the proposed study and update us on the “behind-the-scenes dialogue”  that is occurring.

If “safety” is truly an issue for quasi-governmental and elected officials, there would be a permanent ban on uranium mining and milling in Virginia. Instead, we are going to “study” the issue. As the Lynchburg “advertorial” points out, “If the study finds it safe to mine uranium at a site near Chatham ….” What? I thought this was to be a statewide study!

The “advertorial” also says the study should be on the fast track. Hmmm. Why would the “advertorial” advocate a speedy study? If it’s done “fast,” will it be done right and in a comprehensive manner? Will there be opportunities for public participation at all levels of the study and public comment at its completion? I’m sure Virginia Uranium Inc. and other potential mining companies would prefer it to be done quickly, too. The specter of a study also puts pressure on us as citizens, existing businesses and industries. Being under the microscope for two years, having the rest of the world watching to see if we are stupid enough to mine and mill uranium here, will be of detriment to our economic development efforts.

However, our governor and elected officials may be content to have an economy based on grants, special interest boards, authorities and corporate hush money. All those boards composed of our finest citizens running our economy and our lives. Heck, we wouldn’t even need local elected officials!

I especially like Delegate Terry Kilgore’s quote in the “advertorial,” “We need to leave no stone unturned on this.” Do you think he was talking figuratively regarding the study or literally regarding uranium-bearing rock? He also said, “If it’s not safe, we don’t want to do it.”

What is his definition of safe? I’m afraid we’re going to find out.

The “advertorial” ends with these words of wisdom: “Neither the state nor owners of the mine will ever know about the safety factor until the study is done.” That is false. An accurate statement would read, “Neither the state nor owners of the mine will ever know about the safety factor until the mining and milling are done. “ Of course, then the damage will be done — and it will be too late.

KAREN MAUTE

Mount Cross