Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 2, 1994 TAG: 9407040104
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Prince William County closed its consumer office this week, and Norfolk's weights and measures office closed Friday. Starting this week, callers with complaints will hear a recorded message directing them to call the state consumer affairs office in Richmond about their problems.
``It's the first function we've historically provided that is completely gone,'' said Kathleen K. Seefeldt, chairwoman-at-large of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors.
Roanoke City Manager Robert Herbert said Roanoke hasn't had the luxury of devoting a full-time person to consumer protection, so he assigned the responsibility to his assistant for community relations.
He said Roanoke also is looking toward the state for consumer protection services. "We're trying to do less and less," he said.
The Virginia Beach consumer affairs office was targeted last year for elimination. It narrowly survived, but the Fairfax County office was cut back.
Fairfax County last year shut down its weights and measures office, the one that makes sure gasoline pump gauges are accurate and a pound of turkey really weighs a pound.
Both Norfolk and Fairfax County shifted the responsibility to state officials. But the state agency itself was cut by one-quarter several years ago and now has 14 fewer enforcement officials that it had in 1959.
by CNB