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

DATE: TUESDAY, March 17, 1992                   TAG: 9203170255
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: DWIGHT MASON ROHR
DATELINE: COVINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

COVINGTON COUNCIL TRIES TO DERAIL MERGER

Clifton Forge and the county will hold a referendum on consolidation May 5.

The council resolution passed 5-0 at a called meeting in which action was taken following a 50-minute executive session. In the resolution, council says that the issue of annexation has been distorted by proponents of consolidation. The text said, "The City of Covington entertains no intention to annex parts of Alleghany County now or in the foreseeable future, even if the current [Virginia] moratorium on annexation is lifted."

The resolution further states "that the city deplores the use of an imaginary threat of annexation as an inducement for voter approval of the consolidation of Alleghany County and Clifton Forge."

In justifying its stance, council said that since 1984 the city has concerned itself with internal improvements and the development of the industrial park. Council also said there were areas worthy of development within the city limits.

Annexation proceedings of 1984 were not met favorably in a report from the Commission on Local Government, council said. The city decided not to pursue it in the courts and says it has not made any studies of the matter since.