Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 11, 1995 TAG: 9501110081
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SCHUYLER LENGTH: Short
Earl Hamner, who created ``The Walton's'' television series, is threatening to pull his support from the Walton's Mountain Museum and ask the actors who played Walton family members to boycott the tourist attraction in his hometown.
Hamner modeled the character John-Boy after himself.
James Hamner, his younger brother and the model for Jim-Bob, has resigned as chairman of the Schuyler Community Center's Board of Directors.
The Hamners want museum director and board member William Luhrs to resign. They allege he runs the museum like a petty tyrant.
But at a meeting Monday night, most members of the community center that runs the museum gave a show of support to Luhrs.
James Hamner resigned and walked out.
``You can't take but so much when your family is called a liar and you are called a liar,'' Hamner said afterward.
Unless Luhrs resigns, Earl Hamner might remove his manuscripts and memorabilia - including an Emmy award - from the museum, his younger brother said.
The Hamners' public denunciation could put a pinch on the museum's business and on Nelson County's fledgling tourism industry.
The museum opened in 1992 and has been successful every year since, pulling about 40,000 people into the rural area in 1993 and 46,000 last year.
by CNB