Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 6, 1991 TAG: 9102060428
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: MIKE WOLFE SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: COVINGTON LENGTH: Medium
At a hearing held to solicit public comment on the name "Jackson City," about 90 people agreed they didn't like it. Officials had scheduled the hearing after getting complaints about the name.
Neither the governing bodies of the two localities nor the separate merger committee took formal action on the suggestions made during the hearing, which was held at Alleghany High School.
When asked through the local newspaper to suggest names for the possible new city, which would have a population of of 18,000, only 19 people responded.
George Goode, former mayor of Clifton Forge and spokesman for the pro-merger group, said Jackson City was the largest vote-getter, with seven.
The name was chosen for William Jackson, a little-known early settler during the 1740s. But many people thought of the polluted Jackson River, which flows through the area and also is named for William Jackson.
Another poll, which got more response, was taken Monday among students at Alleghany High School. Of about 950 students, 264 chose "Alleghany City," 123 chose "Highland City," and 95 preferred "Mountain City," according to David Groseclose, vice president of the student government.
Groseclose said the vote indicated to him that students "wanted to have the name of Alleghany High School in the merger name."
At the hearing, Jim Mead of Low Moor spoke for retaining the name Alleghany on grounds that it is unique within Virginia.
Kevin O'Leary of Clifton Forge agreed with Alleghany, but wanted to add "Forge" to recognize the area's prominent 19th century iron industry. He said there were several Alleghanys in the nation but none with the more distinct Alleghany Forge name.
Several speakers asked only that the word "city" be kept out of the name that is eventually chosen.
Robert Rock proposed yet another name: Alleghany Highlands.
A.W. "Pete" Harding said either Clifton Forge or Alleghany suited him, but that one should be preserved to "save a dollar" on buying new stationery.
"Dusty" Rhodes, a Clifton Forge resident who recently returned after a 30-year absence, said he recommended the name of "Peaceful" because that word describes the area. "By the time the merger is over with, [everyone] will be wishing for a little peace in the community," he said.
Bob Pannell, who identified himself as a resident of Clifton Forge for 67 years, said he liked Alleghany Forge because it retained both identities. He was even more insistent that any choice should be put to a referendum.
Goode said a referendum was a good suggestion and had been been discussed by the committee, but he did not promise one would be held.
Goode said there will be other public hearings if the proposed merger obtains approval from the state's Commission on Local Government, which is one of several hurdles that must be cleared for merger to take place.
by CNB