Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 12, 1990 TAG: 9007110207
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The SCC's case against Broadview and its president, Christiansburg resident N. Thomas Poff of Poff Construction, was filed in early 1975 after residents sent petitions alleging unjust and unreasonable rates and inadequate water service.
The SCC directed Broadview to reduce rates, make changes in water treatment and update its books.
To date, those requests have not been met.
The case was reinvestigated this year by the SCC when homeowners in Viewland subdivision, which is served by Broadview, again sent complaints about service, citing water outages and even contamination.
Residents of the 70-home subdivision west of downtown Christiansburg want better water system maintenance or want it taken over by the Public Service Authority or SCC.
"They [Broadview Water Works] will have to state their case as to why they should continue operating," said Ken Schrad, spokesman for the SCC.
Broadview Vice President Bob Poff said in an earlier interview that he would like to sell the system to enhance cash flow since Poff Construction, which developed Viewland, has filed bankruptcy.
The Poffs have been ordered to appear Oct. 2 before the commission in Richmond to show "why the company should not be required to comply with . . . the commission's orders" and also why it should not be fined for failing to comply.
The order also requires Broadview to file a written response by Aug. 22, according to Marta Davis, SCC attorney.
The Poff brothers, who own and operate five water systems in Wythe, Carroll, Pulaski and Montgomery counties, were out of town and could not be reached for comment.
"I'm really excited about this," said Lana Criner of Viewland, who helped start this year's petition. "We don't plan on letting the problems fall between the cracks this time."
by CNB