To the Editor:
Better transportation, education, parks and recreational facilities are all fundamental to our quality of life and the future we want for our children.
The Nov. 5 ballot offers area voters three important opportunities to improve out quality of life: a transportation referendum, an Education Bond and a Park Bond.
Northern Virginia's transportation referendum has received the bulk of the publicity. That's not surprising. Transportation (or the lack thereof) is probably the one problem that adversely impacts the most people most of the time. We've go the nation's third worst congestion. Every year most of us spend more time stuck in traffic. A "yes" vote for the referendum provides desperately needed resources to our rail and road networks.
The Education Facilities Bond (Question #1) would provide more than $900 million to pay for capital improvements for instructional, research and other academic facilities in state-supported colleges, universities, and other higher educational facilities across the Commonwealth. There is no question higher education is under budgetary stress in Virginia, and we must do what we can to maintain the quality and reputation of our state colleges and universities.
The Parks and Recreation Facilities Bond (Question #2) would fund nearly $120 million for the acquisition of new land, campground and visitor center construction, road and rail improvements and shoreline erosion repair in 25 existing state parks. Our natural heritage is our responsibility to protect, and this bond would help ensure that future Virginians, and future tourists to Virginia, have the opportunity to experience the beautiful environment we enjoy.
On Nov. 5 we can and should join together and vote "yes" to improve our roads, transit system, colleges, universities and state parks. We all benefit from the quality of life investments in each of these specific areas.
Thomas J. D'Alessandro
Oak Hill