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

DATE: TUESDAY, January 11, 1994                   TAG: 9401110070
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DALE EISMAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

ALLEN NAMES `STRIKE FORCE'

Gov.-elect George Allen charged 800-plus business people $75 each to have lunch with him and leaders of his administration on Monday, and then assured them that Virginia will be "open for business, again" after he takes office Saturday.

Beginning a weeklong celebration, Allen retooled campaign attacks on the Democrats' management of state government during the past 12 years. He also made good on a campaign promise, appointing a "blue ribbon strike force" to review government operations and suggest changes.

"It has been two decades since Virginia government has had a thorough review, and it's about time for another one," Allen said to applause.

Allen said the strike force will be headed by Otis Brown, president of the Virginia State Fair and a top aide to the state's last Republican governor, John Dalton, during his 1978-82 term. The group also includes Mike Farris, Allen's unsuccessful running mate for lieutenant governor; two cabinet designees; and four state legislators.

"The thing that distinguishes this effort from other studies is that the strike force will not just be interested in ways to eliminate waste and duplication, but they'll aggressively pursue new ways of providing state services," Allen said. ". . . There are better ways to provide governmental services, and the strike force will identify them," he promised.

Allen set no date for the strike force to report. He will implement some of its recommendations by executive order; others may need legislation in the 1995 General Assembly, he said.

Allen is mixing public and private events all week as he prepares to become Virginia's 67th governor. Among the youngest to hold the office, at 41, his schedule includes a variety of events geared to young Virginians:

The governor-elect will teach a history class for high school juniors today in Hanover County, will tour the Capitol with his daughter's kindergarten class Wednesday and will drop by a "Youth Ball" for supporters ages 16-20 Saturday night.

by CNB