Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 16, 1995 TAG: 9502160066
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: B. LYNN WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: PEARISBURG LENGTH: Medium
In January, the board had filed a motion in Circuit Court against Cook for failing to provide the county administration with reports on the revenue his office had collected for October through December.
The motion claimed Cook was in contempt of a 1992 court ruling that required him to furnish the board with a monthly statement of accounts by the 15th of the following month.
Cook responded that the late reports were the result of incorrect data from other county offices that made it impossible for him to prepare correct reports.
The county administration needs the revenue reports to project its budget for next year as well as to ensure it has enough money to pay its current bills.
Last week, after the supervisors learned that the reports were ready, County Attorney Richard Chidester amended the motion to specify that the reports had been prepared but that Cook had instructed his staff not to hand them over.
Chidester and Cook's attorney informally agreed that Feb. 14 would be the deadline for Cook to file the reports to avoid court action.
Following Tuesday's filing, which also included the monthly report for January, Chidester withdrew the motion as agreed upon.
"Hopefully, we won't have to to address this further," he said.
Chidester said he hoped the filing of the reports signaled a better working relationship between the board and the treasurer's office.
"We look forward to working with Mr. Cook to fulfill the obligations of the office," Chidester said.
by CNB