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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 12, 1994                   TAG: 9401130016
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: HARRY C. NICKENS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

COUNTY SUPPORTS A REGIONAL AGENDA

RECENT contributions to both the editorial and news sections of the Roanoke Times & World-News have focused on the lack of support for certain projects by the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, leaving readers with the impression that the board supports only ``county projects.'' This is obviously not the case.

Since 1977, the county has funded a therapeutics-recreation program open to all mentally and/or physically challenged valley citizens. Other local governments have elected not to make financial contributions to this program, yet more than one-half of the participants live outside the county, whose contribution to the program this year exceeds $100,000.

Within the current fiscal year, the county has contributed in excess of $70,000 to destination attractions such as Center in the Square, the Virginia Transportation Museum and Mill Mountain Theater, all located in the city. Admissions and sales taxes collected at these attractions remain with the city. Likewise, when the city sought multimillion-dollar support from the county for the Hotel Roanoke project, the county's request for shared tax revenues until the county's dollars were repaid was rejected. To quote a fellow board member, ``This does not make them bad people.'' Neither should the county's lack of financial involvement in the hotel cause the board to be perceived as nonsupportive of area projects and attractions.

Destination attractions, other than those already in place, are gravely needed for the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center to be successful. To complement the hotel and attract even more visitors to the valley, the county has committed $350,000 to upgrade an access road, and another $100,000 to enhance the opening of Explore Park in May 1994. With this ``county project,'' only about 25 percent of the taxes on meals, motels and sales that may be generated will benefit the county. The balance directly benefits other valley governments that have thus far failed to see the advantages of supporting the Explore Park.

Other attractions or enhanced attractions are needed in the region to attract repeat convention and tourist business. Enhancements to the transportation museum, to the rescue exhibit, to Mill Mountain Zoo and Explore Park, among others, are worthy of additional support.

No longer can ``our'' or ``their'' projects be the focus. The need to attract more conventions and to market tourist attractions within a day's trip of Roanoke should be evident to the area's elected representatives at both the state and local level. Setting a regional agenda will serve us all.

Harry C. Nickens represents the Vinton magisterial district on the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors.

by CNB