Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 15, 1990 TAG: 9003152528
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER and MARK LAYMAN STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"You are not just talking about petitioning the judges to let you make changes - you would need the General Assembly's approval for some things," Musser said.
The consolidation plan was given to the Roanoke and Roanoke County Circuit Court judges last week. They were asked to set a November referendum on it.
Musser said he doubts that City Council will agree to make the changes requested by three supervisors - Dick Robers, Lee Eddy and Steve McGraw.
The charter for the proposed consolidated government calls for a nine-member school board.
The three supervisors want a school board with an equal number of members with a court-appointed tie breaker.
Musser, one of the city's negotiators, said the city pressed for an 11-member board during the negotiations, but the county's negotiators would agree only to a nine-member board.
The city wanted nine board members chosen by districts and two selected at large, but the county wanted only nine members elected by districts.
Musser said the city and county might be able to ask Gov. Douglas Wilder to seek changes in the consolidated government charter, which was approved during the legislative session that ended last week. The changes could be sought from the legislature when it meets April 18 to decide whether to override vetoes by Wilder on any legislation.
Musser said this apparently would be the only way to seek a change in the charter before next year.
In order to allow the residents in the east county area to vote on becoming a part of Vinton, as the three supervisors have proposed, Musser said the city and county would need to seek special legislation by the General Assembly.
"I would think that would require special legislation, just as we had to get special legislation to allow for a second vote in the Glenvar area," he said.
Musser said he thought it was too late for the city and county to try to renegotiate the agreement.
"They have waited too late to seek changes. If they had wanted changes, why didn't they bring it up in January before we finished work on the plan?" Musser said.
Supervisor Bob Johnson said Tuesday that he doubted City Council would go along with changes in the city-county consolidation plan suggested by a divided Board of Supervisors.
Musser said Wednesday that the city would probably seek changes if the negotiations were reopened, but he said he doubts that council will agree to reopen the talks.
Johnson, who was the county's chief consolidation negotiator, raised objections to each of the changes suggested by Robers, McGraw and Eddy. But he was voted down, 3-1.
The changes the county is suggesting are:
That the school board of the consolidated Roanoke Metropolitan Government have an equal number of representatives from the former city and the former county, with a court-appointed tie-breaker.
That residents of Mason Cove, Bennett Springs and the Catawba Valley be given the chance to become part of Salem if the consolidation plan is approved.
That current city-county boundary lines not be used for "urban" and "suburban" service districts.
by CNB