WYTHE OFFICIAL PROTESTS EXCLUSION AT MEETING

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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 14, 1993                   TAG: 9304140252
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER SOUTHWEST BUREAU
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE                                LENGTH: Medium
WYTHE OFFICIAL PROTESTS EXCLUSION AT MEETING
Wythe County Administrator Billy Branson voiced objections Tuesday to the Board of Supervisors over his being excluded from part of a Joint Industrial Development Authority meeting last month.
Branson and Wytheville Town Manager Wayne Sutherland, because of their positions, are ex-officio but nonvoting members of the joint authority. Branson said both had to leave part of the authority's March 25 meeting.
He said he did not feel the group could ask a member, ex-officio or not, to leave just because its other members might not want to hear his views on whatever subject was being discussed.
Supervisor Mark Munsey suggested asking an authority representative to come to a board meeting next month to explain the action. The other supervisors agreed, and indicated that they would wait until they heard the explanation before considering their part of the 1993-94 authority budget.
Branson said he felt there was no point to his serving as an ex-officio member if he could be excluded.
In other action:
The board reconsidered joining the Wytheville Redevelopment and Housing Authority after the town hesitated to accept members recommended for the authority board from the county.
Supervisor Andy Kegley moved that the board rescind its agreement of several months ago to join the authority, and Jack Crosswell immediately seconded the motion. Kegley said the county could join Smyth or Bland County in creating a regional housing authority, or create its own.
County Attorney Willard Lester said a public hearing, similar to the one held to expand the authority, might be necessary to dissolve the agreement. The motion was withdrawn until Lester can research the matter.
The board's Budget Committee will consider the financial ramifications of accepting property belonging to the Austinville Water and Sewer Co. to be run by the county. It was not immediately apparent how much annual upkeep and other expenses would be required, but representatives of the company want to convey all its property - except for a small firehouse, which would remain part of the community's Fire Department - to the county.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB