Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 28, 1993 TAG: 9309280332
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Grisso was appointed Roanoke's finance director, a post he has filled on an acting basis since Joel Schlanger was forced to resign.
After reviewing more than 50 applications and interviewing five finalists, including several from out of state, City Council voted to name Grisso to the post.
"It was clear he was the choice. He showed it in his professionalism in running the office, and the way he handled himself in the interviews," said Vice Mayor Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr.
Grisso's knowledge of city finances and the budget process also was a factor in his selection.
His appointment was effective immediately. His salary will be $74,000.
Schlanger was making $88,000 when he was forced to resign because he charged more than $1,700 in personal, long-distance calls to the city.
Grisso, 48, has worked for the city for 19 years, including 16 years as deputy finance director. His first job with the city was assistant municipal auditor.
Fitzpatrick, who coordinated the search, said the city received some outstanding applications for the post, but Grisso emerged as the top choice.
He said Grisso has shown unusual patience as council took nearly a year to fill the post.
Mayor David Bowers said Grisso was the unanimous selection. Only four members attended Monday's meeting, but the other three were consulted and they agreed with the choice.
Council members James Harvey and Howard Musser are in the hospital. Delvis "Mac" McCadden was out of town on business.
An executive-search firm hired to help find applicants provided some good candidates, but none who surpassed Grisso, Fitzpatrick said.
Grisso said he does not anticipate making any major changes in the city's financial operations.
He is a past president of the Virginia Government Finance Officers Association and serves on the group's board of directors.
A certified public accountant, Grisso received a bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Before going to work for the city, Grisso worked for an international accounting firm.
Despite the controversy over the phone calls and Schlanger's resignation, council members decided that the finance director will remain independent of the city manager - and report directly to council.
Most large cities in Virginia give all budgetary authority to the city manager, and require the finance director to report to the manager.
Some critics have suggested that the lack of day-to-day oversight over Schlanger contributed the phone-bill problem.
But council members said this is not necessarily so. They said the finance director should remain independent to provide a checks-and-balance system for city finances.
\ ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL\ ACTION AT MONDAY MEETING\ \ Civic center revenue: The Roanoke Civic Center reported a net gain of $1.2 million in tax revenue to the city in the past year. Vern Danielsen, chairman of the Civic Center Commission, said the center makes money for the city because it has a ripple effect on the economy and generates $1.8 million in taxes, which more than offsets the $675,000 deficit in the center's operations. Danielsen told council that the center recorded a record $3.6 million in ticket sales the past year.\ \ Symphony and tourism: The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra wants to help promote tourism in the Roanoke Valley. Victoria Bond, music director and conductor, said the symphony can be a cultural drawing card that helps bring people to Roanoke. Bond told council the symphony also wants to work with the city and other groups to establish a music center for disadvantaged children. Eighty percent of the symphony's $1.3 million budget is returned to the community and helps stimulate economic growth, she said.\ \ Downtown patrols: Downtown Roanoke Inc. reported that retail sales in downtown increased by 20 percent in the past year. Kim Kimbrough, executive director of the organization, said the mounted police will begin working in downtown in December. Training for the officers and horses will begin soon. Council also approved a lease for use of a stable at 1615 Cleveland Ave. S.W. to house the horses.\ \ Landfill assets: The funds and other assets of the Roanoke Valley's present regional landfill will be transferred to the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority when the new Smith Gap landfill opens. Council approved the transfer.
by CNB