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

DATE: FRIDAY, June 8, 1990                   TAG: 9006080314
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PLEA PERPLEXING TO VINTON MAYOR

Vinton Mayor Charles Hill said Thursday he was surprised by Roanoke City Councilman Howard Musser's request that residents in the eastern part of Roanoke County be permitted to vote on joining the town if the city is consolidated with the county.

"I was kind of surprised because we met [two weeks ago] for the specific purpose of discussing that and it was agreed that we wouldn't make any changes on it," Hill said.

Hill said Town Council will consider Musser's request at its next regular meeting on June 19, but he would not speculate on council's decision.

Under the consolidation agreement, Vinton would be allowed to triple its size and expand to the Botetourt and Bedford County lines, taking in the areas along Virginia 24 and Hardy Road.

Vinton would keep its status as a town, but would be part of the consolidated government with a relationship similar to that it now has with the county.

Three county supervisors and some residents in the rapidly growing area want the residents to have the chance to vote on becoming part of the town.

Supervisors Chairman Dick Robers and Supervisors Lee Eddy and Steve McGraw have requested a change that would allow a vote.

Two weeks ago, Musser and Vice Mayor Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr. met with Robers, McGraw and Vinton officials to discuss the request. At that time, the negotiators agreed that no change would be made to give the residents a vote.

But Musser now thinks the residents should have the chance to vote, similar to a second-vote proposal for residents in the western part of the county to join Salem.

"This question is not whether this change would enhance the chances for the passage of the consolidation vote or not," Musser said in a letter to Hill. "The question is whether or not it is fair for these citizens to have a vote to determine their fate."

by CNB