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

DATE: THURSDAY, April 4, 1991                   TAG: 9104050593
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH/ SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VINTON HAS OFFICIALLY ENDORSED VARIOUS PROJECTS

At a meeting Tuesday, council approved a resolution supporting the Explore Project, the Roanoke River Greenway and Parkway and the Explore Visitor's Center. It endorsed a parkway route that will pass over property that has not been used as a landfill and a proposal that the Roanoke River Parkway be the only access to the entire Explore Project.

Councilman Don Davis questioned a part of the resolution that affirms that Vinton will assist in the preparation of the new landfill at Smith Gap.

Davis said he is not sure what the town's role is to be in the development of the landfill. "It's the county's landfill, basically," he said.

Town Manger Brad Corcoran said that he understood that the town would be required to provide funds toward the development.

The final clause of the resolution stated that Vinton is willing to convey any property that is needed for the Explore Project to the National Park Service.

After the meeting, Mayor Charles Hill said that council has not discussed the price it will ask for its McDonald Farm tract, which is under consideration as a possible site for the visitor's center.

A similar resolution has been passed by the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, Corcoran said.

In other action:

Council approved a request from the Vinton Association of Merchants and Professionals for a $1,000 grant for the third annual Old Time Bluegrass Festival, which will be held Aug. 15-18. The town also will provide portable toilets, security and first aid as it has in past years.

The merchants' association also requested that it be allowed to collect vendor's fees and to regulate the products sold and asked that a stage and restrooms be built at the site prior to the event.

The last two requests still are under consideration, Hill said, and were not granted.

Council voted to renew its lease agreement with the Vinton Historical Society for use of the former Mary Upson Williams home. The lease will run for a year from April 1.

Council reappointed Corcoran to the Roanoke Valley Solid Waste Management Board. The unexpired term to which he was appointed after former town manager George Nester resigned ends on July 31. The new term will run until July 31, 1995.

Council approved the appointment of Cheri Hartman to the Board of Directors of Mental Health Services of the Roanoke Valley as a member at large.

Council recognized Chris Stull of the Vinton First Aid Crew for his selection as Outstanding Young Rescue Squad Member of the Year by the Roanoke Jaycees. Five such awards are given out each year, Hill said, but this is the first time a member of the Vinton squad has been recognized.