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

DATE: THURSDAY, January 5, 1995                   TAG: 9501070065
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

AROUND TOWN

Don Bradley, executive director, Virginia Baptist Children's Home and Family Services, received the Roanoke Valley 4-H Partner in 4-H Award.

Bradley was said to be ``keenly interested in working with and helping people ... especially interested in youth and providing them positive opportunities and experiences for growth and development.''

The award was created to recognize organizations or individuals in the community who support and contribute to the mission of the 4-H program.

Bradley has worked with a 4-H Riders 4-H Club and has played a leading part in the organization of the Roanoke County/Salem Extension Leadership Council for which he serves as the chairman.

Vinton concerns go to state legislators

Vinton Town Council has sent four concerns to Roanoke Valley representatives in the General Assembly.

The concerns are the same that have many localities in Virginia worrying about future revenue and arise from the Allen Administration's proposal to reduce the state budget and lower taxes.

Vinton Town Council is concerned about a proposal to eliminate business and professional licenses taxes, the reduction of funds to law enforcement, and no funding for state and federal mandates.

Council also supported a route through Roanoke for the proposed Interstate 73. The route would follow the present U.S. 460 from West Virginia to Blacksburg to the proposed "Smart Highway" to Interstate 81 and Interstate 581and U.S. 220 to the North Carolina line.

Mayor Charles Hill said that the Allen Administration proposals would take funds away from education and law enforcement but provide funds to build prisons.

"It seems to me somebody in Richmond needs to get their priorities straightened out," Hill said.

Town Manager Clay Goodman told Council members that Vinton receives about $235,000 in revenue annually from the business and professional license tax. Loss of that amount, he said, would require the town to raise its local real estate tax 11 cents per $100 of valuation.

And, Hill said the town would have to add more than that to its real estate tax rate to recoup funds the town would lose through other state cuts.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995