ROANOKE TIMES 

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

DATE: TUESDAY, January 4, 1994                   TAG: 9401040287
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD                                 LENGTH: Short

POLE IN THE ROAD PUTS MAN IN PREDICAMENT

J.B. Whitmore's attempts to get Virginia Power or the state to move a utility pole from the middle of a road have failed, so he has turned to the county.

Whitmore has aired his complaint at the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors' last three meetings. Supervisor Malcolm T. Cofer said the town of Smithfield and the county could get together to see what they can do, but nobody knows when that will happen.

Meanwhile, the pole is still in the middle of Virginia F661 in front of property Whitmore leases to a body shop, a garage and a storage warehouse. Whitmore said the pole creates a traffic hazard.

"It's a state highway," said Whitmore. "Somebody should be responsible. Now, who?" It has taken him two years to get Virginia Power to admit it installed the pole in 1955. But the utility says the pole was there before the highway, and it's not interested in moving it. - Associated Press 


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