Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 11, 1993 TAG: 9309110209
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The Washington Post
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
But Park Service officials say the leaflets have not been distributed since May, when they were rewritten with blander wording.
The three, Reps. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, Thomas J. Bliley, R-Richmond, and Frank Wolf, R-Fairfax County, say the brochures "unfairly characterize" the park's ill-fated proposal last winter to close popular Skyline Drive for six months to save money. Their comments were included in a letter released Friday to the new head of the National Park Service, Roger Kennedy.
The dispute illustrates the residue of bad feeling over the Skyline Drive proposal. It also underlines local fears that it may be revived.
Virginia Sens. John Warner and Charles Robb declined to sign the strongly worded letter, but sent a joint letter of their own urging the Park Service not to revive the Skyline Drive proposal.
Randy Collins, executive director of the Front Royal and Warren County Chamber of Commerce, said the relationship between park officials and area businesses has "vastly improved" since the Skyline proposal. But he said Park Superintendent Bill Wade did not rule out another attempt to close the road in a speech to a local Rotary Club last month.
"Unless there was an enormous shortfall, it is not being considered," said park spokesman Sandy Rives.
The brochures, distributed at park entrance stations, explain that maintenance and service are being reduced because of budget cuts. Two campgrounds were closed this year, two other campgrounds and two visitor centers opened late, fewer educational programs were offered, and trail maintenance lagged.
The original pamphlet said the idea was dropped because "special interests and the local public and elected officials prevailed."
by CNB