Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 14, 1990 TAG: 9003142922
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MONICA DAVEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BEDFORD LENGTH: Medium
"It was brought to my attention that there were possible irregularities in some of their financial records," Bedford City Police Chief Fred Russell said Tuesday.
The Police Department's chief investigator began looking into the irregularities Monday afternoon with the assistance of the state police, Russell said. It was unclear how long the investigation could take.
Russell said he contacted the office of Bedford County Commonwealth's Attorney James Updike after he learned of the matter Friday afternoon.
Bedford Main Street's Board of Directors requested the police investigation after a routine examination of financial records, the board's president said Tuesday in a written release. The group has also set up a subcommittee to gather financial information needed for an independent audit of its records.
Board President Sara Oliver's release stated that the police investigation would look into "possible misuse of funds by a recently dismissed secretary." Officials would not identify the employee.
Bedford Main Street normally has two staff members: a secretary and director Linda Kochendarfer, who only recently started working there.
The organization has an annual budget of about $65,000. The city of Bedford has supplied $25,000 of that annually since the program began in Bedford in 1985. Approval of the city's budget for next year is still a couple of months away. The rest of Bedford Main Street's money comes from donations.
Officials Tuesday would not say how much money is believed to have been misused.
In her written statement, Oliver concluded: "It is the desire of Bedford Main Street to see that a thorough and conclusive inquiry of this incident be conducted, not only to protect the good name of the organization but to confirm to the public that every right and proper step has been taken."
Bedford's program has been praised for attracting new businesses and creating jobs downtown; restoring buildings, signs and lamps; and generally brightening the city's look.
Bedford was selected in 1985 as one of the first five cities and towns included in the state's Main Street program, which is modeled after The National Main Street Program, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
That program, bugun in the late 1970's, has worked to revitalize downtown areas while preserving their histories in more than 500 communities in 33 states.
Since its creation, Bedford's program has won attention. Just last month, it was cited in Landscape Architecture magazine as a program "widely considered one of that state's most successful."
Some other members of Bedford Main Street's Board of Directors reached Tuesday declined to comment and referred calls to Oliver. The board includes elected and appointed city and county officials.
"In fairness to everybody involved, we should have the investigation done before saying anything more," said City Manager Jack Gross, also a board member.
by CNB