WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 11/26/03

[7Wx-Headline]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom......
Starting with chilly temperatures and scattered frost.
Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner has the mid- week forecast.

[7-11Payne]

[PAGE# 1]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-43 TC1:05:58]
[GRAPHIC=Melinda Payne]
[ENG# 1]

There is now an empty seat on the Roanoke City School Board, as one of its senior member steps down.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]

Melinda Payne turned in her resignation to City Council, citing "philosophical differences" with other members of the board.
Payne has served since 1995 and says she's proud of the work they've done ... up until the last few years.
She says she's been troubled by the school system's failures on financial audits and other recent controversies.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:21:53]
[IN Q=I can tell you]
((MELINDA PAYNE: I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT'S BEEN AN INTERNAL ISSUE WITH ME FOR A WHILE. BEING SOMEONE THAT'S ALWAYS SEEN AS TAKING A DIFFERENT STANCE OR ASKING THE HARD QUESTIONS IS NOT ALWAYS A COMFORTABLE PLACE TO BE IN. BUT I'VE DONE THAT AND I'VE SOMETIMES BEEN OSTRACIZED. I'VE BEEN PLACED ON AN ISLAND ALL TO MYSELF BY MY COLLEAGUES BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T NECESSARILY AGREED WITH WHAT I'VE HAD TO SAY.))
[SUPER=01-Melinda Payne/Roanoke City School Board;]
[RUNS=:26]
[OUT Q=what I've had to say.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Payne will serve through the end of December.
It's up to City Council to appoint her replacement.
She says Alice Hincker, an outspoken critic of the school administration, would make a good choice.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The resignation comes as a new school audit unveils more internal problems.
The city's municipal auditor says the school system has failed to fix several problems highlighted in last year's audit.
The school maintenance, food services and transportation departments are all being cited for failing to make the required changes.
They were intended to eliminate fraud in the way school departments made purchases.
The municipal auditor's report will go to the school board next week.
[7-11React-Payne]

[PAGE#=2]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC09:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

There were mixed emotions ranging from disappointment, denials, and reassurances about Melinda Payne's resignation.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:22:22; 1:20:15; 1:16:36]
[IN Q=I think the board is]
((GLORIA MANNS/SCHOOL BOARD CHAIRWOMAN: I THINK THE BOARD IS BECOMING MORE UNITED. I THINK THEY ARE ASKING QUESTIONS.
WE ARE TRYING TO DOING SOME DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE HAVEN'T DONE IN THE PAST. WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.)) ((ANITA PRICE/ROANOKE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: UNFORTUNATELY, THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED REPEATEDLY AND YET THEY HAVE REFUSE TO BE RECOGNIZED AND ACKNOWLEDGED AND I FEEL THAT'S PART OF THE FRUSTRATION MS. PAYNE HAS BEEN WORKING SO ADAMANTLY TO ADDRESS.)) ((WAYNE HARRIS/SUPERINTEDENT OF SCHOOLS: DO YOU FEEL RESPONSIBLE AT ALL? I GUESS I DIDN'T SEE THAT IN THE LETTER. WELL, SHE DOES SAY PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES, DO YOU FEEL ALL OF THIS HAS CONTRIBUTED TO HER RESIGNATION. I HAVE NO WAY TO RESPOND TO THE INNUENDO IN THE LETTER. I WISH HER WELL.))
[SUPER=01-Gloria Manns/Roanoke School Board Chairwoman; :00]
[SUPER=01-Anita Price/Roanoke Education Association President; :12]
[SUPER=01-Wayne Harris/Roanoke School Superintendent; :35]
[RUNS=:50]
[OUT Q=I WISH HER WELL]
(-------------)

[55-WXHeads]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom......
A lot of people are hitting the road for the holiday, look for partly cloudy skies and highs in the low 50s.
Metereologist Leo Hirsbrunner has the mid- week forecast, right after the news. [55-VOB-Harris-Mayfield]

[PAGE# 1]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Am Cutins]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG# 1]

The news of Roanoke City School Board member Melinda Payne's resignation is just another matter facing the Roanoke school system.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

The superinentendent held a town hall meeting yesterday afternoon for about 70 members of the faculty.
It was a chance for the administration to explain and answer questions about the Ron Mayfield investigation.
He was the Roanoke teacher who committed suicide after being accused of hitting a student.
As a result, many teachers believe the school system needs to do a better job of supporting its teachers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:59:07]
[IN Q=I think the whole]
((MARY PAGE GWALTNEY/ROANOKE TEACHER: I THINK THE WHOLE THING....FOR THESE CHILDREN.))
[SUPER=01-Mary Page Gwaltney/Roanoke Teacher;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=for these children]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Superintendent Harris says the administration hopes to have a policy in place by February that outlines consequences for making a false allegation.
(------------)

[55-11Prescription-Help]

[PAGE# 2]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=03-44 TC53:22]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG# 2]

A local pharmacist is assisting seniors in signing up for drug discount programs as they wait for government assistance from the Medicare Bill.
(----------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]

Tim Lucas with DownHome Pharmacy not only helps seniors find out which programs they might qualify for but fills out the paper work for them to get the medication.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:03]
[IN Q=There is a big need for it as we look]
((TIM LUCAS/DOWNHOME PHARMACY: THERE IS A BIG NEED FOR IT AS WE LOOK AT THE MEDICARE BILL AND TRYING TO GET PRESCRIPTION COVERAGE FOR SENIORS. WE SEE IT'S VERY EVIDENT THAT A LOT SENIORS HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME PAYING FOR THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS)) ((OPAL HALL: IT TAKES OVER HALF OF MY CHECK EACH MONTH. SAY AROUND 2-HUNDRED AND SOME DOLLARS ))
[SUPER=01-Tim Lucas/DownHome Pharmacy; :04]
[SUPER=07-Opal Hall; :13]
[RUNS=21]
[OUT Q=and some dollars]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

There is no charge to determine whether you qualify for any of the drug discount programs.
But DownHome Pharmacy does charge five dollars for every application it fills out and sends.
(----------)

[55-11Xmas-Trees]

[PAGE# 3]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-40 TC1:30:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG# 3]

If you're still debating whether to purchase a real or artificial Christmas tree, the decision may have already been made for you.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
Under new state fire codes, live-cut trees are now prohibited in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and jail facilities. The new code also prohibits live-cut trees in buildings without an approved fire sprinkler system, which officials say would include a lot of older apartment buildings and hotels.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:34]
[IN Q=it is a safety]
((MARLAN MORRIS/ROANOKE FIRE MARSHAL: IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF FOLKS COULD MAYBE RECONSIDER THE USE OF LIVE TREES AND CONSIDER ARTIFICIAL TREES IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, IF THEY HAVE A SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN THEIR BUILDING THEN THEY CAN USE LIVE TREES.))
[SUPER=01-Marlan Morris/Roanoke Fire Marshal;]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=use live trees.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Officials say most residential homes will NOT be affected by the new code. Anyone who's caught breaking it could face a fine of up to 25-hundred dollars.
(------------)

[8Wx-Headline]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom......
Feeling more like the holiday season out there, with chilly temperatures this morning.
Look for a mix of clouds and sunshine today.
Metereologist Leo Hirsbrunner has details, in the forecast.

[8-11Warner]

[PAGE# 1]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-45 TC47:15]
[GRAPHIC=Tax Reform]
[ENG# 1]

Governor Mark Warner says he'll keep an open mind, but says it's too early to talk about compromise on his tax reform plan.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Warner made stops in Roanoke, Falls Church and Virginia Beach as he tried to build public support for his tax plan.
He says he expects counter proposals, but believes his package is a sensible solution that won't put an "undue burden" on the state's taxpayers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=What we needed]
((GOV. MARK WARNER: WHAT WE NEEDED WAS A PLAN AROUND WHICH PEOPLE CAN MOVE FORWARD ON AND I THINK THIS IS A GOOD PLAN. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THIS IS IN THE ABSOLUTE BEST INTEREST OF VIRGINIA.))
[SUPER=@markwarner; :05]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=best interest of Virginia.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Warner has outlined a complex proposal that would raise the state sales tax, but trim the tax on groceries.
The plan calls for a ten-fold increase in the cigarette tax, but offers most Virginians an income tax break.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

The Governor claims 65 percent of Virginia taxpayers will pay less if his plan in enacted.
[8-11Tax-reform]

[PAGE# 2]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-50 TC45:31]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
[ENG# 2]

State Republicans, meanwhile, have mixed feelings about Warner's plan.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

Lawmakers on the Tax Reform Commission got a close look at the package yesterday.
Many Republicans are critical of Warner's proposals to create additional revenue for the state.
But some say the governor has no choice but to raise taxes because of ongoing budget problems.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:15:38]
[IN Q=CERTAINLY HE RECOGNIZES]
((SENATOR JOHN CHICHESTER/(R) FREDERICKSBURG:CERTAINLY HE RECOGNIZES WHAT MOST OF US DO THAT CUTTING BUDGETS IS HARDLY AN OPTION ANYMORE GIVEN THE FISCAL CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH WE FIND OURSELVES.)) ((DELEGATE LEO WARDRUP/ (R) VIRGINIA BEACH: THE EASY SOLUTION IS ALWAYS TO TAX PEOPLE MORE IN ORDER FOR GOVERNMENT TO SPEND MORE. THE HARD DECISIONS ARE NOT TO TAX PEOPLE MORE AND TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN PROVIDE BETTER GOVERNMENT WITH LESS. ))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Chichester/(R) Fredericksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Del. Leo Wardrup/(R) Virginia Beach; :14]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=WE CAN PROVIDE BETTER GOVERNMENT WITH LESS.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Warner says Virginia needs more money for education, health care and transportation.
(------------)

[8-6-Monty-Bonds]

[PAGE#=3]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-39 TC1:51:46]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

Montgomery County is moving ahead with plans for a bigger courthouse and better athletic fields.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]

The board of supervisors has approved phase one of a 20-million dollar bond package.
The debt will be stretched over 20-years.
Nearly 16-million will go towards expanding and renovating the courthouse.
Officials say it's overcrowded and needs more security.
Around four-million dollars will be used to help fix up the county's four high school athletic facilities. (------------)