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

DATE: TUESDAY, August 2, 1994                   TAG: 9408020075
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By TRIXIE AVERILL
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

NO SLAP AT VINTON WAS INTENDED

I WOULD like to respond to the recent spate of articles and letters to the editor which have chastised Gov. Allen's selection of members to the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority which oversees Explore Park.

It's indeed unfortunate that the announcement of the new board coincided with the grand opening of Explore on July 1. However, no one should have been too surprised, since those six members were aware their terms expired on June 30 and an announcement was imminent (July 1 news article, ``Allen axes 6 from board at Explore'').

Further, those removed had in no way - by letter, fax or phone - indicated their wishes for reappointment to the governor or to the office of the secretary of the commonwealth, which handles the appointments. Had they done so, I'm confident they would have received every consideration and even probably been moved to the head of the list, given their status at the time.

It's widely understood that board appointments such as these serve at the pleasure of the governor. It's normal protocol and etiquette, and it stands to reason, that when a new governor takes office - particularly when there's been a complete change in government administration and personnel due to a different political party's coming to power in Richmond - those who would like to remain in place should make their wishes known and not presume to assume. Since this didn't occur, Gov. Allen and Secretary Beamer awarded these positions to those who did.

No one is more aware than I am of the support the town of Vinton has given to Explore. As the Vinton representative on the Citizens Advisory Board since its inception in 1989, I'm fully knowledgeable of the town's contributions. Mayor Hill, in particular, has bent over backwards to help in every endeavor, and his leadership on the board has been an integral part of Explore's success thus far. I'm more than sorry to see this come to an end for now. But for my part, I've nominated Mayor Hill for the first available position to come open.

I will not presume I can make the same difference that he did. But until he's able to return, I'll do my best to give Vinton voice and representation.

Trixie Averill of Vinton is a Republican activist and recent appointee to the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority board, which governs Explore Park.

by CNB