Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 10, 1993 TAG: 9309100241
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Cranwell, one of the state's most influential legislators, promised that he will work for more state money for the cities if he is re-elected in November.
He challenged a state commission studying urban problems to "show political courage" and make recommendations for funding that will address urban problems.
Cranwell often has been at odds with Roanoke officials in recent years, but he said he now strongly supports the city's effort to get more state aid to help ease its financial pressures.
"You can count on me to be an ally of Roanoke," he told The Governor's Advisory Commission on Revitalizing Virginia's Urban Areas.
The commission, appointed by Gov. Douglas Wilder to study the problems of the cities, held the last of three public hearings in Roanoke.
"Be bold. Tell us where to get the money," Cranwell told the group.
"I don't think there is any lack of understanding of the urban problems. The real issue is whether we have the courage to step up to the plate and have the will to govern." Despite Cranwell's call for more money, some urban specialists doubt it will happen.
"I don't think you're going to find huge infusions of money targeted at central cities in the near future," said Bob Holsworth of the Center for Urban Development at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.
"What you have to do is leverage money [that] you have more effectively and provide more cooperative strategies."
Cranwell said poverty is the root cause for crime, violence and other inner-city problems. The problems have increased as the state has reduced funds for localities because of its own financial squeeze.
The General Assembly did provide more state money for cities when it removed their right to annex 14 years ago, but, Cranwell said, more aid is needed now.
"If we want to deal with the problems of the urban areas, we have to deal with poverty," he said.
Del. Clifton Woodrum, D-Roanoke, also urged the panel to make recommendations that would ease the burden on the city, which becomes a magnet for the poor and disadvantaged seeking help.
Woodrum said the state should provide more money to outlying counties so people won't have to come to Roanoke to get help.
"With some more state funds, we can spread the services around so not everybody would have to come to the city," Woodrum said.
Woodrum said he favors the consolidation of Roanoke and Roanoke County, but that is not a viable option now because county voters have rejected it.
The economic bases of Virginia's major cities have been eroding for two decades. The populations are decreasing, and the people remaining are increasingly elderly and poorly educated. There has also been a gradual shift from relatively high-paying manufacturing jobs to low-paying service jobs.
In Roanoke, the commission focused on job training, early childhood development and health care. It received reports from several state agencies on programs to deal with these issues.
by CNB