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

DATE: THURSDAY, July 7, 1994                   TAG: 9407070244
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: NANCY BELL STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NEW VINTON COUNCILMAN GOES TO WORK, LITERALLY

Billy Obenchain took his seat on Vinton Town Council for the first time Tuesday, sunburned and tired. He had spent the day on a garbage truck, working side by side with Vinton's trash collectors.

During his council campaign, Obenchain promised he'd do more than get to know the people who run the town - - he promised to know their jobs.

So, from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. the career firefighter and floral shop manager hauled trash cans up to the truck and dumped them. By the time the 7 p.m. council meeting started, he was feeling the effects of a hard day's work.

"I wasn't there to watch. I went to be productive," he said. "I wouldn't want anyone making decisions about my job without knowing exactly what it is I do. I believe I am responsible for them and not vice versa."

Although he initially met some skepticism, Obenchain said the crew seemed to appreciate him as the day went on.

"I lugged some cans that had to weigh more than a hundred pounds." Officially, garbage cans are supposed to weigh only 35 pounds or less.

The new council member has set a January 1995 deadline to work at least one day in each department, including the offices of Vinton's town staff, public works employees and the town manager.

During the first meeting of his four-year term, Obenchain was appointed to the town's Public Works Committee and to the Fifth Planning District Commission.

Bobby Altice, re-elected to council after a two-year break, was appointed to the Finance Committee and agreed to represent Vinton on the Regional Cable TV Committee.

Councilman Joe Bush Jr. was appointed vice mayor.

by CNB