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

DATE: SATURDAY, March 12, 1994                   TAG: 9403120134
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

COMMITTEE TO STUDY LOCAL COOPERATION

An effort to encourage Roanoke Valley governments to consolidate certain basic services could get a boost from a statewide study of regional cooperation.

Under a resolution sponsored by Del. Richard Cranwell, a 15-member committee will look into ways governments in urban areas can regionalize sewage treatment, water, solid waste, transportation and social services.

Cranwell said the statewide effort will complement a similar regional effort in the Roanoke Valley that he initiated last fall.

"If we can't work out our differences locally, the statewide study gives us an opportunity to nudge things along," the Roanoke County Democrat said.

Regional cooperation promises to be a central issue in the May 3 Roanoke City Council election, in which four of seven seats are up for grabs.

So far, city officials have been skeptical about the prospects of cooperation with Roanoke County, Vinton, Salem and Botetourt County. Roanoke officials want other localities to help bear the burden of public housing and social services in addition to that of utilities.

In January, Mayor David Bowers told a Richmond business group that calls for regional cooperation are nothing more than a ploy by suburban counties.

Cranwell's resolution will create a study committee of five delegates, five senators, three urban business leaders and seven citizens, including four local government officials.

The committee will submit its findings to the 1995 General Assembly.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994

by CNB