Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, December 19, 1994 TAG: 9412190106
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
After nearly six months on Salem City Council, Garry Lautenschlager fulfilled the theme of his campaign - "change." He cast the first dissenting vote on City Council in almost four years.
Lautenschlager was the only council member to vote "no" on a motion to reappoint two School Board members to new three-year terms.
Lautenschlager said he has faith in the abilities of the incumbents, but wanted to achieve geographic diversity on the School Board and wanted to appoint members who have children in the school system.
His vote caused the first split decision - not counting abstentions - to be recorded in City Council's minutes since March 26, 1991. That vote was cast by Mac Green, the member Lautenschlager replaced this spring.
The event Monday was sufficiently newsworthy to garner a front-page analysis in the Salem Times-Register and for Lautenschlager to approach other council members afterward and thank them.
"I thanked them for their understanding," he said. "I felt it was necessary. Council generally presents unity and I felt it was necessary to vote my convictions.
``I will continue to vote my convictions and my beliefs.''
No parole, either
When Roanoke Valley legislators joined the two Roanoke Valley chambers of commerce for breakfast last week, the politicians went out of their way to show how much they identified with business interests.
Each of the legislators took turns bashing the business-license tax, which Gov. George Allen would like to abolish.
When it came state Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo's turn, the Fincastle Republican observed that when he set up his law practice, he discovered he didn't like the tax - "but I continued to pay it."
Del. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum, D-Roanoke, couldn't resist a dig: "Beats jail, don't it?"
The Army of Northern Virginia?
One legislator suggested carving up state agencies to get the "body parts." Another suggested that part of the Old Dominion is under the thumb of a foreign invader.
Strong words. But when the Roanoke Valley legislators met with business leaders last week, they were keen to show how tough they'll be in standing up for Western Virginia's interests when they head down to Richmond next month for the 1995 General Assembly session.
Del. Clifton ``Chip'' Woodrum was the one who warned of the governmental equivalent of the Texas Chain Saw Massacre, when he was asked about the possibility that the governor would try to abolish state funding for certain museums.
Woodrum declared he'd stand up for state funding for cultural organizations in Western Virginia, noting that many of the museums in Richmond are state agencies that are guaranteed funding, while the ones in this part of the state tend to be run by nonprofit groups that have to beg for state assistance.
If there's any attempt to cut out funding for these privately run museums, Woodrum said, "some of us are going to go down and carve up the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Science Museum of Virginia and bring the body parts home."
But Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo may have struck the most sensitive nerve with Roanoke business leaders wary of the population changes that are shifting legislative power to the Washington suburbs.
The Fincastle Republican said he hadn't made up his mind yet on Allen's proposed tax cuts. How will Trumbo, who prides himself on his good ole country boy image, decide?
"I'm going to determine what's best for my localities, not Northern Virginia - or, as I consider it, the occupied territories."
The business leaders responded with laughter - and a heavy round of applause.
Down but not out
Hundreds of people showed up at a surprise dinner a couple of months ago to show their appreciation for Ray Robrecht, the former state delegate and Roanoke County commonwealth's attorney who is suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease. The event raised money to help with his medical expenses.
Robrecht recently sent out a letter explaining that he had closed his private law practice and gone to work with the Center for Employment Law and its president, Bayard Harris.
"As most of you know, I am suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease," Robrecht wrote. "While it has not affected my ability to practice law, it has affected my motor nerve system, and I cannot speak."
The firm, which specializes in labor and employment law practice, will have five lawyers with the addition of Robrecht.
"I will be actively involved in your case, although the communications will be handled through another lawyer," Robrecht wrote. "In fact, it sounds pretty good to say I have four lawyers talking for me."
Don't touch
Students can look at the all-terrain vehicle purchased for the magnet schools at William Fleming High and William Ruffner Junior High in Roanoke, but they can't drive it.
Purchase of the ATV led to a sharp debate at a recent School Board meeting. The board decided that only faculty and staff will be allowed to drive the $2,900 vehicle.
The ATV will be used to tow electric cars, solar cars, drag cars and other vehicles made at the magnet schools to a trailer used to transport them to shows and exhibits.
John Saunders, a board member, said he was afraid students might be injured driving the ATV, referring to many accidents on ATVs nationwide.
"I am afraid that it will become a magnet for misuse," Saunders said. "This would expose the school system to significant liability."
Superintendent Wayne Harris said the schools have a good safety record, noting that there have been no accidents in the city's aviation program.
But Saunders said the aviation record is not comparable.
"Not everyone thinks they can fly a plane, but every child thinks he knows how to drive an ATV," he said.
by CNB