Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 2, 1995 TAG: 9503030042
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS
DATELINE: NEW CASTLE LENGTH: Medium
During its Feb. 21 meeting, the board turned down an inquiry from Land Services of America of Norfolk, asking if the supervisors would be interested in the company seeking a site for a medium-security prison in the county.
Board members, remembering a similar proposal two years ago, did not have to discuss the Land Services inquiry for long. The supervisors two years ago thought about asking the state Department of Corrections to consider the county as the site for a prison. Craig citizens made it clear they did not want one.
In another action, the supervisors decided to ask again for funds to improve Virginia 311, south of New Castle. Of special concern to the board and many citizens in the county is a sharp curve in 311 about five miles south of town.
The supervisors will make the request at the Virginia Department of Transportation 1995 spring preallocation hearing on March 22.
Also, the board decided to join the town of New Castle in seeking a litter grant of $5,000 from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The grant would be used to reduce litter along roadways.
The supervisors also learned that the old Maywood Elementary School building is vacant again.
Stephen Carter, county administrator, reported that former tenants have moved out of the county.
The Craig County School Board has studied reopening the building as a school to ease some of its space problems, but Superintendent Dallas Helems said studies show the building would need considerable renovation.
The heating and plumbing systems and the two-floor building that is not accessible to the handicapped would have to be upgraded, he said.
Carter said the Board of Supervisors probably will seek other tenants for the building.
by CNB