Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, November 8, 1993 TAG: 9311080012
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership's "best bars" promotion was designed to dazzle businesses, but it also caught the eye of judges selecting the best promotional materials from development groups.
The "best bars" flier presented cost-of-living information on a square white napkin similar to the type used in bars. It was part of the partnership's direct-mail and ad campaign that took five awards in the recent SIDC Literature and Promotional Awards Competition in New Orleans. The annual report won a third place merit award.
The Packett Group designed the materials.
\ That's a hoot!
Most lawsuits quote case law, not Shakespeare.
So what question of law was so lofty, what issue of jurisprudence was so pressing, as to inspire a line from Hamlet?
It was Hooters vs. Hooters.
The trademark infringement lawsuit, in which the national Hooters restaurant chain is suing a Roanoke business of similar name and reputation, goes before the judge Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Roanoke.
Frank Perkinson, the lawyer who represents Hooters of Virginia Inc., already has explained in some detail how the Roanoke business should not be confused with Hooters Inc., the national chain.
Perhaps too much detail, William Poff, counsel for Hooters Inc., suggested in the lawsuit.
The suit noted that in a recent newspaper article, Perkinson "was quoted extensively protesting about the absence of confusion" between the two Hooters. "But," the suit continued, "in the words of Hamlet, `The lady doth protest too much, methinks.' "
\ Money talks
Are politicians beholden to special interests, even after they retire?
Former Congressman Jim Olin of Roanoke may have been pondering that question when he received a letter from developer Len Boone last month.
Boone was upset that Olin spoke at an Oct. 12 public hearing against Boone's request to build more than 200 houses along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Southwest Roanoke County. In particular, Olin said more houses would be visible from the parkway than Boone had led him to believe.
"What I find so amazing," Boone said in a letter dated Oct. 13, "is the fact that in the past you have always felt comfortable in calling me or [partner] Jack Loeb personally to ask for campaign contributions for which we generously responded.
"But in this instance you obviously felt more comfortable in unjustly publicly questioning my integrity as opposed to picking up the phone and asking me if you understood me completely.
"Either you have changed, or you were never the person I believed you to be." Olin, who retired last year, declined to comment on the letter.
\ Pass the syrup
\ Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, who has authority over the National Park Service, was grilled recently by local activist Lynn Davis, president of Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway, at an annual conference of the Society of Environmental Journalists at Duke University.
Davis asked the cabinet member what he planned to do about development in Roanoke County and elsewhere that threatens scenic views along the parkway.
Babbitt, appearing before an audience of some 300 reporters from around the country, did what any bureaucrat would do. He waffled.
He replied that he did not know enough details of such regional issues, but that the Park Service needs to work more closely with neighboring localities to resolve these kinds of problems.
\ He just says `no'
Montgomery County Supervisor Joe Stewart took much heat during the recent election - which he won in a squeaker - for his habit of voting "no" to most anything involving government spending.
At the first post-election board meeting last week, the cattle farmer and livestock auctioneer was in typical form.
He listened to a lengthy presentation on how the county could spend $12,698 to buy some new computers and have the state reimburse a quarter of the cost.
The bottom line: pay now and get some money back, or wait a year and be forced to buy new computers to meet new regulations with no aid from Richmond.
Six board members voted "aye."
Stewart - wearing striped overalls and heavy work boots - leaned back in his chair and voted "no."
Then the 78-year-old board member looked at the two-member press section and said with a laugh, "You can go ahead and put that in the paper if you want to."
\ Back to basics
Each branch of city government explains its role and mission in Salem's annual report. Most succinctly describe their staff, services and budgets in the 37-page report.
Here's how the Salem Water Department starts its page: "In the beginning, when the earth was being formed, two hydrogen atoms combined with one oxygen atom to form H20, better known as water . . . "
by CNB