Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 27, 1993 TAG: 9304270253
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
During a brief public hearing before Radford City Council, the Rev. Tom Magri of St. Jude Roman Catholic Church and Bill Merkt of Radford Community Hospital both spoke in favor of the plan. No one opposed it.
Merkt said "a planned and orderly approach" was needed to develop the region, which connects the city with Interstate 81 via Tyler Avenue. The hospital intends to expand within the corridor area. St. Jude is on Tyler Avenue.
Following the hearing, council voted 3-2 on the first reading of an ordinance to adopt the proposal and petition for its court approval.
The Board of Supervisors approved the agreement on a 6-1 vote, with no discussion.
A public hearing held by the supervisors drew no speakers.
The agreement now goes to the Montgomery County Circuit Court for referral to a three-judge panel that will review it.
As they have on past votes on the pact, Radford Mayor Tom Starnes and councilman David Worrell said "no."
The plan requires the city to give up annexation rights within the corridor.
In exchange, the agreement calls for Montgomery County to share with the city 27.5 percent of all local tax revenues generated within the corridor. The city also will supply water and sewer services.
Council will consider the second, and final, reading of the ordinance at a special meeting at 6 p.m. May 3. The meeting was arranged so all council members could attend.
In other matters, council set interviews with individuals seeking appointment to the School Board for 7:30 p.m. on May 18.
During a short public hearing Monday, two more candidates joined the list of previously announced office seekers at the last minute, providing contests for all three open seats.
Incumbent Guy Gentry, the board's vice chairman, faces opposition from Chris Strange, while George Ducker has competition from Meg Stone Kellerman.
Ducker said he hadn't known about Kellerman's intentions until the public hearing.
Neither Kellerman nor Strange were at the meeting or available for comment Monday.
Two candidates, Guy Wohlford and Guy Gilmore, already had announced to fill the unexpired term of board Chairman John McPhail. He has announced plans to step down a year early.
Vice Mayor Polly Corn called on her colleagues to consider at-large School Board appointments. She said the present system, based on voting precincts, was "outdated."
by CNB