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

DATE: TUESDAY, February 26, 1991                   TAG: 9102260469
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

APCO OFFICIAL PICKED FOR HOUSING POST

Robert W. Glenn Jr., an executive with Appalachian Power Co., was elected chairman of the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners on Monday.

Glenn, marketing and customer service manager for Apco's Roanoke division, succeeds Wendell Butler, who resigned 10 days ago to accept an appointment to the Virginia Water Control Board.

He said he wants the board to take a more active role in trying to provide affordable, decent and safe housing.

"I want us to make a difference. I want us to make things happen and not just react to what is happening," he told the board.

A board member for 2 1/2 years, Glenn said the housing authority is faced with "some grave concerns" in its public housing projects, citing drug and safety problems. There were three homicides in housing projects in the past year.

Glenn said he believes the board can help deal with the problems. He said he will stress teamwork and try to blend the ideas of new and older board members.

Also Monday, a consultant told the board that most of the water damage at Morningside Manor, a housing complex for older residents in Southeast Roanoke, is cosmetic and superficial.

Don Witt estimated that repairing the damage - repainting in several areas and repairs to wall plaster - will cost less than $50,000.

Water leaked into the apartments during heavy rains last fall while Morningside Manor was undergoing a $3 million renovation. Workers had opened the roof to remove asbestos and install framing for new heating and air-conditioning pipes.

Herbert McBride, executive director of the authority, said the agency has asked the renovation contractor, CBC Enterprises, to contact its insurance company.

Some residents had to stay up several nights to mop and vacuum water in their apartments. Water damaged the interior of several apartments and the residents' belongings.

McBride said the authority has paid for the damage to the residents' belongings, but will seek reimbursement from the contractor's insurance company.

by CNB