Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 22, 1993 TAG: 9306220231
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
In an effort to make public meetings more "citizen friendly," the state has developed a new format that will used at the meeting, scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m at the Blacksburg Community Center.
The new format will make it easier for residents to talk about road projects, said Ron Chwojdak, a public involvement officer with the Transportation Department.
In the past, public hearings have been very structured and residents had to talk in front of a crowd.
Now, citizens can stop by the public hearing location when it's convenient and sit alone with a court reporter and record their comments, or they can write out their suggestions.
"The idea is to create a comfortable atmosphere," Chwojdak said.
The new format was developed more than a year ago, but Thursday will be the first time it has been used in the Salem transportation district.
Adele Schirmer, Blacksburg's public works director, said she expects little public opposition to the project, which would run less than a mile and link North Main Street to Toms Creek Road.
"There is a lot of community support for this project," she said.
That wasn't the case two years ago when the project included a southern extension of Patrick Henry that ran through the middle of a historic district.
The proposal caused so much of a public outcry that the link from Patrick Henry to South Main Street was dropped.
Schirmer said the extension to University Drive will be a valueable addition to the town's transportation system because it will relieve some of the congestion on Prices Fork Road.
Department of Transportation officials will be on hand Thursday to answer questions about the road addition, which is scheduled to begin construction in early 1995.
Information on the project is available at the Transportation Department's office in Christiansburg and in Schirmer's office at Blacksburg Town Hall.
Written comments must be submitted within 10 days of the public hearing.
by CNB