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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 11, 1990                   TAG: 9004110432
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

CULTURAL GROUP GRANTS UNLIKELY FROM BLACKSBURG

Despite a plea from one man that Blacksburg strive to not be perceived as a town of "hillbillies," Town Council likely will not grant requests for a total of $17,000 from three cultural organizations.

At a public hearing on the 1990-91 budget Tuesday night, Herbert Myers asked for $4,500 for the Blacksburg Master Chorale, which has more than 200 singers performing concerts throughout the year.

Myers said the chorale group helps the town "Belie the ugly, false concept that we're hillbillies."

A representative from Center in the Square in Roanoke asked for $7,600, and a representative from the Fine Arts Center of the New River Valley in Pulaski asked for $5,000.

Council member Al Leighton said after the meeting that the town, as a general policy, does not financially support outside groups.

And Town Manager Ron Secrist has recommended turning down the chorale group's request, as well as requests from other groups.

The proposed budget does include $2,500 for the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance, and $7,875 for the Greater Blacksburg Chamber of Commerce, which is $750 less than the chamber asked.

Only 10 people spoke during the public hearing.

Although there is no proposed real estate tax increase, the budget calls for a 50 percent increase in consumers' utility tax rate - from 10 percent to 15 percent, in order to pay for existing programs and services.

Secrist said the increased revenue of roughly $309,000 is necessary to continue existing programs and services. It would add a maximum of $9 per year to residential bills, and a maximum of $30 to commercial users' bills.

"This type of tax is a regressive tax," said Jim Griffith, manager for C&P Telephone in Blacksburg. "It hits everybody the same despite a person's . . . ability to pay."

Griffith called on the council to reduce the current tax rate to 4.5 percent - on par with the state's sales tax.

After the meeting, he said he didn't expect the council to reduce the tax rate, but made the request "tongue-in-cheek" to make a point.

"I don't see why utilities should be singled out. Why not tax teddy bears and televisions?" Griffith said.

Council is scheduled to have a work session on the budget Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., and will likely adopt the budget on April 30.

by CNB