Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 12, 1994 TAG: 9405120207
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By ADRIENNE PETTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BEDFORD LENGTH: Medium
But the budding romance was closed to the public, and committee members made it clear that many of the meetings, to be held every other Wednesday through January, will take place in closed, executive sessions, as allowed by state law.
The public will have an opportunity to participate later in a series of public meetings, said county Supervisor A.A. "Gus" Saarnijoki.
The eight-member committee - composed of the county administrator, the city manager, two council members, two county supervisors and the city and county attorneys - was to confront a few of about 30 issues, from organizing the new city and combining services to setting tax rates and negotiating a formula to pay off combined debt.
County Administrator William Rolfe said the committee planned to start mapping out a schedule for tackling the issues Wednesday night.
Under state law, the committee has a year to reach consensus on a plan. If it fails to meet the deadline, a circuit court judge would appoint a citizen's committee to continue the task.
Once there's a plan, it will be put to a vote in the city and county.
The push for consolidation was spearheaded by H.F. and Anita Garner, who carried out a petition drive. They had attended a meeting on the possibility that Lynchburg could annex Bedford County's wealthiest area - Forest, which borders the city.
Lynchburg officials have denied any plans to annex Forest, and a state moratorium on annexation is in effect until 1995.
by CNB