BENNINGER STEPS IN AGAIN AS ACTING TOWN MANAGER

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

DATE: THURSDAY, January 7, 1993                   TAG: 9301070419
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-1   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: NANCY BELL STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
BENNINGER STEPS IN AGAIN AS ACTING TOWN MANAGER
For the second time in two years, Bob Benninger has been named acting town manager of Vinton.
Benninger, Vinton's assistant town manager, received the appointment during council's Tuesday meeting. He will serve until a replacement can be found for Brad Corcoran, who left this week after two years to pursue other interests.
Benninger, however, says he does not want the manager's job for his own.
"I like what I'm doing - I'm happy," said Benninger.
His duties as assistant town manager include working with residents on water, sewer and drainage problems. His background is in civil engineering and sanitation.
Benninger came to work for Vinton four years ago after former Town Manager George Nester invited him to apply for the then-vacant assistant manager position. He was an engineering consultant and was working on a water project for Vinton when he met Nester.
Benninger's engineering background has complemented the public administration emphasis of the past two managers.
Benninger, who has undergraduate and graduate engineering degrees from Virginia Military Institute and Virginia Tech, said the first issue facing the new manager is the town's budget.
He said about 15 applications have been received for the town manager position and that more are expected as advertisements are circulated throughout the region.
Council hopes to find a replacement for Corcoran within the next several weeks.
Meanwhile, the town staff will adjust duties to assist Benninger in handling both jobs. And he will continue to manage meetings with citizens who are working with the town to prepare a neighborhood improvement grant for the Midway section of town.
Benninger, who is from the Midwest, said he plans to stay in Vinton indefinitely.
"We like the mountains," he said of his family. His wife, Vicki, is a program analyst for Roanoke County, and his two children - Will, 10, and Rachel, 8 - attend Herman L. Horn Elementary School.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB