Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 9, 1993 TAG: 9310090045
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV 3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: STEPHEN FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FLOYD LENGTH: Short
No officials representing VMH Inc. of Christiansburg, which wants to build the home at the intersection of Virginia 615 and Virginia 705, will be attending.
They said this week they were notified too late about the meeting to adjust their schedules.
Linda DeVito, who helped organize a 374-signature petition drive opposing the home, said the meeting still will be worthwhile because it will give citizens a chance to "talk about what their fears are, what their concerns are."
The county's Board of Supervisors earlier declined to order that a public meeting be held to debate the issue.
Floyd County has no zoning law that could keep the facility out, and DeVito claims that VMH has tried to sneak the home in behind people's backs. Her concerns include the isolated location, the backgrounds of the children who would be housed there and the experience of VMH to handle the home.
Regional agencies that deal with youths have expressed support for the facility.
Casper said he has contacted Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development officials in Richmond about organizing a November meeting in which VMH officials and citizens could come together in an open forum, presumably to be mediated by the department. Jeffrey Michael Meyer, program administrator for the department, is to attend Tuesday's meeting.
by CNB