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

DATE: THURSDAY, July 12, 1990                   TAG: 9007120412
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SALEM VIEWS MERGER LIKE USED-CAR BUYER

THE CITY of Salem is looking at the opportunity for consolidation the way many look at purchasing a used car. A person will tell the car owner how nice the car is while at the same time pointing out its problems in hopes of knocking down the price and obtaining a great deal.

June 21 at Glenvar Elementary School, it was obvious that the city of Salem was feigning opposition to consolidation in order to acquire a better deal on those parts of North County that will have an opportunity to join Salem. Many of the county's problems were pointed out, and the Board of Supervisors was criticized for looking out for the best interest of the citizens for whom it acts.

Despite its rhetoric, Salem knows it has a great deal to gain by consolidation. It would like nothing more than to increase its size and enlarge its tax base with minimal economic expenditure. With hopes of extracting economic leverage, Salem says the price of North County is too high and then promises to help defeat consolidation if a deal cannot be reached.

The proponents of consolidation acknowledge Mr. Taliaferro's statements that the county has many problems that will cause economic setbacks. Nevertheless, these same proponents recognize that the problems can be best solved by the formation of a strong merged government that will have the interest of all its citizens at heart.

P. DOUGLAS HENSON II\ CARE Co-Chairman\ ROANOKE

by CNB