Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 25, 1993 TAG: 9306250238
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
But Lynn Linkous of Christiansburg, one of the petition's organizers, said the collection of names will continue for a couple more weeks to ensure that enough of the signers are registered voters.
Organizers must collect the signatures of 10 percent of the registered voters in the county as of Jan. 1 to get a referendum on the ballot this November.
The names of 2,928 voters are needed. Linkous said she had collected 2,980 so far.
After County Registrar Sandra Chapin certifies that the names of enough registered voters have been collected, the Circuit Court will be asked to order the measure on the ballot.
Linkous said petitions would be available for signing at Doctor Video, Playing Around Putt-Putt and Reed Lumber Co. in Christiansburg and A&J Quick Shop on Prices Fork Road.
The petition drive is an outgrowth of the public debate over whether the county school system should return to traditional Christian names for school holidays that fall on Christmas and Easter. Those holidays are now called winter and spring break on the school calendar.
Linkous and her husband, Danny, and five other couples who support a return to the Christian names started the petition drive because they believe they have no voice in the school system, she said.
Currently, members of the School Board are appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
Referendums for elected school boards were allowed on ballots for the first time in November. Those referendums were approved by voters in all 33 counties and nine cities where they were held, including Pulaski, Craig and Bland counties.
by CNB