BALL TOOK THE MONEY,FORGOT HIS NEIGHBORS

REGARDING the controversy over the proposed methadone clinic in Roanoke County:

The proposed site is in a neighborhood.

In March 1989, Dr. William Ball received his rezoning for a family practice
medical office after assuring his neighbors that he would do no harm.

People are aware of the negative impact the clinic is certain to have on a
neighborhood. Life Center of Galax is a for-profit facility and Ball, with
full knowledge of that impact, signed a lease with them for profit.

We know all of this because we live in the 3200 block of Colonial Avenue
and the proposed site is in the 3300 block.

We also own property on the corner of Piedmont and Walnut Avenue Southeast.
This is a neighborhood area with a handful of small businesses. Directly
across the street from our property is a building on the market for sale or
lease.

The building's owner was offered a contract by a methadone clinic months
ago. She couldn't bear the thought of what bringing in a clinic would do to
her neighbors. They approached her again and again, sweetening the pot each
time. She said no.

We thank her for saying "no to profit" at others' expense, for protecting
her neighbors from the big fight, and for putting into practice what Ball
failed to learn, "First, do no harm."

RICHARD and ERIN MARDIAN, ROANOKE