DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IS BEING SUBVERTED

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

DATE: SUNDAY, February 23, 1992                   TAG: 9202210154
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IS BEING SUBVERTED
Residents of Montgomery County have made it clear they do not want Alternate 6, the "direct link" or "smart road" between Roanoke and Blacksburg.
At the Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 10, a petition containing over 1,000 signatures was submitted to the board in opposition to this proposed road. Individuals addressed their concerns to the board and, with the exception of two speakers, all opposed the road. The two who spoke in favor of this road were paid to do it - they are employees of Virginia Tech.
If the supervisors were to follow the wishes of the vast majority of Montgomery County residents, they will withdraw support from this boondoggle. But now we find that Steve Musselwhite, the representative of the state Transportation Board for this district, is attempting to hold the whole of Montgomery County and the Board of Supervisors hostage.
He threatens the funds already approved for a much-needed road, favored by all political jurisdictions in the county.
Amazingly, Musselwhite tries to claim authority by saying he had brokered a "prearranged deal." In fact, Musselwhite's actions subvert the democratic process, and in his arrogance he does not even allude to the fact that it is the people of Montgomery County who are to be served and whose wishes any decision may reflect.
It goes without saying that no such "deal" was mentioned when the Department of Transportation held a public hearing last September.\ Edie Schumacher\ Blacksburg

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB