Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 31, 1990 TAG: 9007310490
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A3 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: DWAYNE YANCEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
She'll become an economic development specialist, but apparently part of her job will be to continue doing some work for the Explore living-history state park.
The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors recently declared Explore its No. 1 economic development priority and directed county administrator Elmer Hodge to come up with a list of ways that the county can help the proposed tourist attraction.
One way may be for the county to have its staff work with the project and Waugh would be the logical person to do that, Supervisor Harry Nickens said today.
Indeed, a statement issued by Explore project director Bern Ewert about Waugh's departure said he looked forward "to working with her as the county's liaison to the project."
Waugh was out of the office and could not be reached for comment this morning. Nickens said Waugh's new job with the county would likely focus on helping companies located in the county expand, and making sure those new jobs also are in the county.
But, as part of her new economic development job, Waugh might continue to handle land purchases for Explore, Nickens said. After all, about 20 percent of the proposed park site along the Roanoke River gorge remains in private hands.
Waugh has played a key role in mollifying people living near the Explore site who initially were upset by the proposal, and has helped turn many of them from opponents into supporters. As one indication of her relationship with the park's neighbors, she wanted to hold off today's announcement until she could notify many of those people in person.
"I think there was a level of trust and rapport established, because of her personality and people skills," Nickens said. "There was a sincerity or a genuineness. People believed they were being listened to and they were."
by CNB