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

DATE: TUESDAY, October 19, 1993                   TAG: 9310290356
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HOLLINS DISTRICT

IN ROANOKE County's Hollins District, voters should take the opportunity to return Bob Johnson to the Board of Supervisors - and then insist that he follow through on his expressed desire to promote closer cooperation between the county and Roanoke city for the economic well-being of both.

Roanoke County has land available for industrial development, and Johnson says he'd be willing to support a negotiated revenue-sharing agreement, with the county providing the site and infrastructure to attract new industry. The city would help pay the costs, and the localities would share the revenue generated.

This is a good idea. Johnson can be abrasive, and his outspoken differences with city officials have contributed to the antagonism that regularly flares between the two localities. Still, it was he who called for talks with the city - about regionalizing some services - after Roanoke County roundly criticized the city's ill-fated proposal to explore acquisition of Roanoke Gas Co. assets. With the help of Del. Dick Cranwell, these talks just might bear fruit.

Johnson, a developer and president of HCMF Real Estate, has an obvious interest in a healthy regional economy. This can be an asset for the county. But as the urbanized community becomes more developed, the board must also be careful to protect its most significant scenic assets.

Johnson voted for high-density residential zoning for a housing development on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a disappointing decision. In doing so, he at least voiced a reasonable concern: that a court settlement of the issue could leave the county with even more houses sitting close by the roadway.

A Democrat and former teachers' representative, Johnson has been on the board since 1985. He points out that before the current GOP majority materialized, a Democrat-dominated board laid out the plans for the Spring Hollow Reservoir, the Regional Airport Commission and the Smith's Gap regional landfill.

Both of Johnson's opponents - Republican Brenda Wainwright, owner-operator of Plantation Ground Covers wholesale nursery, and independent Charlie Millican, plant/sales manager of Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co.-question whether the county can afford all this progress. But the better question is whether the county can afford to close its eyes to the future.

Both also complain that Johnson is inaccessible; Millican says the supervisor is rude to those who disagree with him.

Maybe so. He says he's just a straight-talker, and there's no doubt he says what's on his mind. But what's refreshing to some might be intimidating to others unaccustomed to his penchant for the quick quip.

But rough edges aside, Johnson has done a good job on the Board of Supervisors. His opponents are inexperienced. He should be returned to office.

Keywords:
POLITICS ENDORSEMENT

by CNB