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

DATE: THURSDAY, March 2, 1995                   TAG: 9503020032
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-10   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI                                LENGTH: Medium

COX MAY STAY ON AS BOARD CHIEF

Roscoe Cox has not closed the door on continuing as executive director of Pulaski's new Board of Economic Development after June 30.

``But I would appreciate it if you all would keep in mind that I am technically retired,'' he told members of the board's executive committee Tuesday.

Cox has not had much rest since he returned to Pulaski with his wife to retire several years ago. First, he was recruited to direct the town's Main Street Program which has successfully attracted new businesses in the past two years. Then he was appointed to help launch the economic development board effort which aims to take the Main Street success townwide.

Cox said he would let the committee know in April if he was interested in continuing beyond June 30. In any case, he said, he would help train any successor the board named.

Sybil Atkinson will be chairwoman of the board's executive committee. Wayne Carpenter will be vice chairman. Other committee members are Pam Surber, Katy Kirk, Bob Hudson, Joe Reed and J.R. Schrader.

Pulaski Mayor Andy Graham presented a preliminary draft to the committee of a vision statement for the town. It says the town is on the threshold of a new frontier of cultural, educational and recreational development, mentioning recent attractions and plans for new ones including: the refurbished Train Station, the Raymond F. Ratcliff Museum the New River Trail State Park and more.

The committee foresees the Train Station, which houses the museum and Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, becoming a visitors center when the New River Trail State Park is extended into the town to the facility. ``We have, I think, a great start over there but it needs to be developed to a higher level,'' Graham said.

The draft will be refined and considered again at the full board meeting at noon March 14.

The committee also considered a $171,642 budget recommended by Cox. As with all town departments and agencies, the board will submit a proposed budget to Town Council which will make the final decision on it.

``This is not a wish list,'' Cox said. ``This is the minimum I think you can get away with.''

The budget includes $15,000 for the town's second Depot Day entertainment and activities, now scheduled for June 24.

by CNB