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

DATE: MONDAY, May 24, 1993                   TAG: 9305240256
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

KEEPING HIS COOL WHEN COUNTY GETS HOT

VIRGINIA has recently been cited as one of the best-run states in the country. While Gov. Wilder is not universally esteemed as the state's leader, his contribution to helping the Old Dominion cope with serious budgetary problems should be acknowledged.

Likewise, the accomplishments of several governmental entities in the valley should not be overlooked. They have all been challenged with their own money-stretching problems.

As a Roanoke County resident who occasionally attends meetings of the Board of Supervisors, it is easy to note that the designated assembly halls tend to fill up at budget-hearing times when taxes are on the agenda.

The supervisors and County Administrator Elmer Hodge appear to always have done their number-crunching homework. As distasteful as it is for them, occasionally revenues need to be increased. The burden usually falls on property owners, either through juggling the assessed value of real holdings or raising the rate.

Unfortunately, the county administrator usually is the focal point of criticism on these and other matters. Of course, being a target is part of the unwritten job description of every city manager or county administrator.

Elected officials often are willing to allow their business managers to absorb the ire over matters that are the officials' doing.

Hodge can propose courses of action to the supervisors, but it is up to them to dispose. He operates under policy guidelines set down by his employers, the Board of Supervisors, but to most citizens who conduct business with the county, he is county government.

Hodge is unfailingly courteous and available to any citizen or government official who needs to consult with him. Even when the atmosphere gets tense, he remains civil and unflappable.

His work, since assuming his duties, is recognized as being very professional, and he enjoys great respect by other government officials. His integrity has never been questioned, even when differences of opinion surface.

He has never been observed voicing disagreement with or criticizing decisions of his employers in public. While he likely does not agree with every action of the board, he confines his counsel to confidential settings. That is called loyalty, I think.

County citizens should appreciate a man of ability and high integrity such as Hodge, and just hope he does not get a better offer elsewhere. GEORGE H. HILL JR. ROANOKE

by CNB