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

DATE: THURSDAY, March 28, 1991                   TAG: 9103280148
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: DUBLIN                                LENGTH: Short

DUBLIN COUNCILMAN OPPOSES COUNTY TAKEOVER OF POLICE

At least one member of Dublin Town Council has gone on record as opposing any plan to turn municipal law enforcement over to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office.

"I do not think we should turn the town policing over to the county and I will vote against doing so, should it come to a vote," said Councilman Colbern Linkous.

The idea of doing away with the town's Police Department was discussed during a closed session at a Town Council meeting last week. Mayor Benny Keister later issued a statement saying that the governing body was just looking at the feasibility of the idea as proposed by one council member, and that no town policeman would lose his job regardless of what council decides.

The matter has been referred to council's Finance Committee, as it draws up its proposed budget for the coming year.

"One item should be added to the budget. That is the cost to get a boundary change," Linkous said, referring to earlier town negotiations with the county on a friendly annexation. The county has now withdrawn from those talks.

Linkous suggested cutting Virginia Municipal League dues, travel, and the total of Police Department salaries by reducing the number of police vehicles. Items that need to be increased in the budget, he said, include street light funds, recreation supplies, landfill fees, airport funds, water purchases and insurance premiums.

by CNB