Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 10, 1995 TAG: 9501100091
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAN VERTEFEUILLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
So, Mayor David Bowers suggested to Roanoke and Roanoke County officials Monday, let's show them during a valley-wide "day of reckoning."
He proposed shutting down all the offices, stopping all the services, sending home all the people who would no longer work if Allen's cuts took effect and the localities didn't pick up the slack.
The budget proposals ``are going to create a crisis that is going to impact people in our city,'' he said. ``Less services or more taxes - that's it. That's what it's coming down to. ... The day of reckoning, if the public realizes what we're trying to get across to them, will educate them so we won't have a year of reckoning, of closed offices and cutbacks in services.''
While no action was taken on establishing a day of shutdowns, the two governments are going to invite Allen to Roanoke to ``show us how to do without'' money they were counting on.
There was one thing the county supervisors and City Council members agreed on unanimously during their second joint meeting: Allen's proposals are bad news for local governments.
``Shift and shaft,'' they called it.
The governor is trying to eliminate $400 million in state spending this year, and more down the line, so Virginia can lower some taxes and build more prisons. Localities fear they will have to drastically increase real estate and other local taxes to make up for the reduced state spending; Allen also is proposing taking away the business-license tax, which is an important revenue source for many localities. It brings in $8 million a year in Roanoke and $3 million in Roanoke County.
The high-energy, two-hour meeting between council and the Board of Supervisors revealed unanimous opposition to the governor's proposals that would take away funding to cities and counties. None of Allen's fellow Republicans rushed to defend the cuts, although Councilman Delvis ''Mac'' McCadden said governments may be more successful if they offer alternatives to the governor's proposals instead of just ``bashing.''
Sending busloads of angry citizens to Richmond, lobbying local legislators, blitzing citizens with information on the cuts' effects through fliers and government-access channels - all were suggested by officials at the meeting.
``We need to mobilize our citizenry - all of our citizenry,'' said Councilwoman Linda Wyatt.
The elected officials voted to invite the governor to the Roanoke Valley to discuss what his proposals mean to the area.
Support for a day of reckoning wasn't as solid. Wyatt was for it, and County Administrator Elmer Hodge said he thought it was a good idea. Others thought it was a bit radical. Supervisor Lee Eddy wondered if there would be administrative and legal obstacles to shutting down government offices.
``Our least empowered are going to be affected,'' said City Manager Bob Herbert. ``I would be willing to do anything to call attention.''
Hodge passed out figures that showed Roanoke County would lose between $1.1 million and $1.6 million next year in state funding.
The sheriff's offices and police departments, Medicaid for teen-agers, AIDS grants, Youth Haven II, the Community Service boards, treatment for indigent acutely ill adults, employment training, Explore Park and literacy programs are among those to be eliminated from the budget or have their funding reduced.
Citizens aren't speaking out because they may not realize the impact on them until after the cuts are in place, Herbert said.
``Allowing citizens to learn that after the fact is stupid on our part,'' Wyatt said. ``We need an aggressive campaign.''
Staff writer Dan Casey contributed information to this story.
by CNB