Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 2, 1990 TAG: 9005020435
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MARK LAYMAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Nickens' lack of enthusiasm for consolidation has long been evident. But this is the first time he has publicly taken a stand against the plan, which will be on the ballot in the city and the county on Nov. 6.
He made his comments at a meeting in North Lakes that was organized by Citizens Against Merger, a grass-roots group formed last year to fight consolidation. The Roanoke County Education Association and neighborhood groups from throughout the county sent representatives to the meeting.
Nickens urged all of them to speak out against consolidation. "It's time to fish or cut bait," he said. "You can't wait for Nov. 6 to be counted."
Nickens, who represents Vinton and Eastern Roanoke County, helped negotiate the consolidation plan. The county "negotiated in good faith," he said. "We didn't ask to go to the dance, but we made sure we could select some of the tunes."
But, "given the costs that will have to be borne by the typical city and county resident," he is convinced that consolidation isn't in the best interest of residents of either locality, he said.
Nickens disputed claims that consolidation would be a boost to economic development in the Roanoke Valley. While each locality works hard to attract new industries, "there is no antagonism, friction [or] backbiting," he said. Roanoke and Roanoke County realize the entire valley benefits when a company such as Grove Worldwide locates in Salem, he said.
However, the upheaval resulting from consolidation might indeed hurt economic development, he said.
Don Terp, one of the leaders of Citizens Against Merger, asked county neighborhood groups to solicit contributions from their members to help pay for mass mailings and radio, television and newspaper advertisements.
Consolidation supporters - led by "a very small group of downtown Roanoke businessmen" - will spend at least $250,000 on advertising before the vote in November, he predicted.
"Watch out for a major media blitz in the summer and fall. . . . We're not going to be able to match the city boys dollar-for-dollar. But we don't have to. We're smarter than they are. . . . If [county residents] know the truth - and many of them don't - we'll defeat this monster before it defeats the valley."
If each of the neighborhood groups in the county chipped in $1,000, Citizens Against Merger would have a bankroll of $35,000 or so, he said.
A couple of those who attended the meeting, including Nickens, wrote out checks before they left.
Terp used the meeting to try out a few anti-consolidation sound bites, such as, "If you get married, you can get a divorce. . . . But if you vote for consolidation, you've had it. You can't dip your toe in the water and, if it's too cold, pull it back out."
And, "The city will offer to paint the fire engines purple, the police cars pink, and dress rescue squads in clown suits if it will get our vote."
Businessman Hugh Key, who twice led the fight against a county police department, and Lela Spitz of the Hanging Rock Taxpayers League are active in Citizens Against Merger. Spitz's husband, John, is an economics professor at Roanoke College and a consolidation critic.
The Board of Supervisors is split over the consolidation plan. Chairman Dick Robers is its strongest supporter. Steve McGraw has said he might support it if certain changes are made. Lee Eddy has said he will stay out of the fray if changes are made but will work to defeat it otherwise.
Bob Johnson, who was one of the county's consolidation negotiators, has said he won't take a stand for or against the plan, but will make sure supporters and opponents stick to the facts.
Former Supervisor Lee Garrett, who also helped negotiate the plan, has come out in favor of consolidation.
by CNB