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

DATE: FRIDAY, September 3, 1993                   TAG: 9309030238
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MICHAEL CSOLLANY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

EX-DIRECTOR DROPS SUIT AGAINST LIBRARY

In a court order filed last week, Carol Veitch withdrew her petition, ending her legal efforts against the board. She had contended that the library board had placed her on probation and had not allowed her to file a grievance.

The board placed Veitch on probation Feb. 10, pending completion of her performance review and a decision about her future status, the suit said.

In a March 15 letter to the board, Veitch asked that the probation be considered under the county's grievance procedure. The board responded by letter on March 23, refusing to discuss the matter with Veitch, the suit said.

After Veitch appealed, the county responded that her appeal was barred by law. The said the appeal was not filed within a required five working days of the board's decision not to allow her grievance.

Montgomery County Attorney Roy Thorpe, when contacted Thursday, would not comment on the case's withdrawal. Library Board Chairman Nancy Hurst said Thorpe instructed the board not to comment on the case.

Veitch's Christiansburg phone number has been disconnected, while efforts to reach her attorney, Raphael B. Hartley III, were unsuccessful.

Veitch, 44, had been the library's director since 1991 when she was selected after what one library official called a "rather thorough search." She succeeded Kathryn I. Martens, who resigned in November 1990 after 10 years on the job. Hurst said the board will not begin a search for a new director until next spring. Ida Comparium, the interim director, wants to retire in June of 1994, Hurst said.