Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 2, 1990 TAG: 9004020093
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NORTON LENGTH: Medium
"I'm convinced that the greatest challenge we face is the economic development of Southwest Virginia," Beyer told Norton officials Saturday. "We have to go where the need is the greatest."
The 39-year-old Falls Church car dealer, making his first visit to Southwest Virginia since his inauguration, said he wanted to hear how he could help the region. Local leaders used the rare opportunity to lobby first-hand; they pushed for improvements they say are vital to the region's economic survival.
Particularly, they pushed for Beyer's help with what is commonly called "the missing link" of Wise County - the only Virginia section of U.S. 23 that has not been upgraded to four lanes.
The two-mile section runs through downtown Norton, snarling traffic and endangering pedestrians, officials said. They said the new section, which would bypass Norton, could have been finished years ago but is being held hostage because of the enormous amount of money it took to build a section of U.S. 23 through Powell Valley.
That road was several years behind schedule and at least $12 million over budget. Two landslides helped create the construction problems that are causing the rest of Wise County to suffer now, said Bruce Robinette, executive director of the Lenowisco Planning District.
"If we don't get this completed, I don't know what the future will be for moving economic commerce through Wise County," Robinette told Beyer, a former member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
"I think the `missing link' is a vital part of economic development [for the region]," Beyer said. But he said the region's economic future was not solely dependent on road improvements. "It's the type of industry we recruit. We don't need $4-an-hour jobs in Wise County."
Norton officials said they were concerned with legislation growing out of the Grayson Commission that ultimately could force some small cities to merge with neighboring counties. City Manager Ernie Ward said it is unfair to assume all cities are land-grabbing and inefficient.
While Beyer said more regional cooperation is needed throughout the state, he also lent support to local autonomy and the existence of smaller cities.
He made similar comments about smaller schools, which were targeted by former Gov. Gerald Baliles for funding cuts based on their enrollments. Beyer compared running schools to running companies and said smaller institutions often can be more productive. He said he was glad to see the Baliles measure killed in the 1990 session.
by CNB