Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 12, 1992                   TAG: 9203120293
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WHOSE OFFICE IS PLUSH?

Is it City Manager Bob Herbert, Finance Director Joel Schlanger or City Attorney Wilburn Dibling? How about Barry Key, manager of the Office of Management and Budget? City officials say they are puzzled by Councilman David Bowers' complaint that one top manager has spent excessively for office decorations.

In a recent interview published in the Roanoke Times & World-News, Bowers said a manager spent thousands of dollars to redecorate his office last year at a time when the city could not afford all-day kindergarten at all elementary schools.

But Bowers won't identify the manager. "What's done is done," he said, adding that he sees no reason now to make it public.

His charge prompted at least one newspaper reader to write a letter to the editor urging the newspaper to identify the manager.

In the past two years, two offices in the Municipal Building have been remodeled: Emergency Services and Management and Budget.

Last year, the Office of Management and Budget was remodeled to provide space for a fax machine so city employees would not have to disturb other employees in the office where the machine was located.

City Manager Bob Herbert said Wednesday the remodeling cost $1,095 and included moving a wall. There has been no remodeling or redecoration of offices in the current fiscal year that began July 1, he said.

"This type of work is not being done. We are sensitive to that in the current [financial] conditions," Herbert said.

Two years ago, the Emergency Services Offices was remodeled to remove asbestos and cigarette smoke stains at a cost of $2,800, according to Bane Coburn, a staff engineer for the city. That included nearly $2,000 for removing asbestos, he said.

"When I read [Bowers' allegations], I was surprised because nothing of that consequence has been done that I am aware of," said Coburn, who prepares plans for remodeling.

"We are moving walls from time to time, but nothing comes to mind as far as carpets, wallpaper and furnishings are concerned," said Key, the manager of management and budget.

"When David said that, I wondered who he was talking about," Key said.

Several years ago, the Finance Department and city attorney offices were expanded to provide more space. New carpet also was put down in the mayor's office.