Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 25, 1990 TAG: 9005250666
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A/1 EDITION: NATL/INTL
SOURCE: MARGIE FISHER RICHMOND BUREAU
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Wilder said it is up to local voters to weigh the merits of the consolidation plan on the Nov. 6 ballot, but he said, "I'm convinced in the long haul this is a step in the right direction."
Wilder made his comments during the ceremonial signing of Roanoke Del. Clifton Woodrum's bill creating the Roanoke Metropolitan Government, subject to the referendum.
The governor said he believes consolidation is a good move for economic development and controlling government costs. "The question now is whether both sides see parity and equity" in the mechanics of the agreement.
Wilder said he does not plan to campaign for approval of the merger. That's up to the voters, "and I would rather not direct their vote."
He said he recognized it is a controversial issue, noting that not all members of the valley's legislative delegation favor the consolidation plan. Vinton Del. Richard Cranwell, widely regarded as the valley's most influential legislator, has recently come out against it.
"Obviously, my signing of it says that I think a referendum should be held," Wilder said.
Woodrum and city and county officials who came here for the ceremony were delighted with the boost Wilder may have given the consolidation proponents.
Even though Wilder only said he supported the concept, county Board of Supervisors Chairman Dick Robers said, "I think that's a good endorsement from the governor." It's now up to the proponents to sell the details of "a very fine agreement" in a positive way, Robers said.
Wilder had nothing but compliments for the city and county officials for "the checking of the egos at the door" and the efforts they put into the proposed consolidation.
He did some good-natured kidding about the intergovernmental wars that have long marked the Roanoke Valley.
Wilder suggested that if city and county leaders could bring peace to the valley he would commission and dispatch them to the Middle East and other international hot spots "to see what you can do.
"If we can just settle it down in Vinton, we'll be happy," quipped Woodrum.
Asked if he thought Cranwell had hurt the chances for the consolidation's approval, Woodrum said, "I'm just glad he chose to do it early before 12 people and one reporter instead of later before a cast of thousands on TV. But regardless of who says what, I think the people are going to make their own independent judgments on this. I, of course, hope they decide in favor."
Woodrum acknowledged it may be a tough sell. "Yeah, we've got some people to convince," he said. But "we've seen the walls come down in Berlin this year" and it's time to bring down the artificial barriers that divide the valley.
Robers called it "an excellent sign" that a group including some prominent county citizens had announced Wednesday that they'll be working in favor of the consolidation agreement.
He said he had detected a turnaround in the county's attitude toward consolidation after the legislature, at its special veto session last month, adopted an amendment to Woodrum's bill dealing with the composition of the school board for the proposed regional government.
The amendment, in effect, means the county will retain majority control over its schools and should alleviate fears that the school system "will be taken over by the `old' city," Robers said.
Control of the schools has been "the No. 1 issue" raised at citizens meetings to discuss consolidation, the county chairman said.
In addition to Woodrum and Robers, those at the ceremonial signing in Wilder's office were County Attorney Paul Mahoney, Roanoke Vice Mayor Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr., City Councilman Howard Musser and City Attorney Wilburn Dibling.
by CNB