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

DATE: THURSDAY, May 20, 1993                   TAG: 9305200126
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI                                LENGTH: Medium

MANAGER'S 1ST PULASKI COUNCIL MEETING GIVES UPBEAT NEWS

When newly hired Pulaski Town Manager Thomas M. Combiths attended a meeting with two Town Council committees last week, Councilman Andrew Graham told him that he had arrived at a bad time, with a water system wearing out and water rates about to jump.

Combiths got a more optimistic picture when he attended his first council meeting as manager Tuesday night.

Council talked about completing the restoration of a train station, given to the town by Norfolk Southern Corp., for use as a museum, headquarters for the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce and a visitors' center.

The state will extend New River Trail State Park an extra two miles, thanks to passage of the state parks and recreation bond issue last year, into Pulaski right up to the station door. That should bring more park visitors to Pulaski.

Mayor Gary Hancock noted that Pulaski and Pulaski County are among localities that qualify for designation as enterprise zones, which can mean state incentives for bringing in new industry.

"So there are a lot of very exciting things happening," he said.

One of the most exciting has been the development of new businesses, many involving antiques and the arts, in Pulaski's downtown business area.

State representatives who have heard about the successes asked if they could visit downtown Pulaski. They will be here Wednesday. They include representatives of the national Main Street program, the governor's office, and state economic development and housing and community affairs offices, said Councilwoman Alma Holston.

Pulaski Main Street Inc. is joining with the town and chamber May 29 for a daylong celebration of the revived downtown and opening of 13 stores along Main and Jefferson Streets where vacant storefronts had been.

A day of celebration with beauty queens, bands and entertainers in the downtown area is being pulled together by Main Street Promotions Coordinator Audrey Jackson, and a schedule of events will be announced soon. Free food and door prizes are also on the agenda.

Hancock credited Roscoe Cox, Main Street executive director, with helping to turn the situation around downtown.

"He has certainly been a catalyst for a lot of activity on Main Street," Hancock said.

by CNB