Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 9, 1995 TAG: 9504100007
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
WYTHEVILLE - Opponents of a private prison planned for a site two miles east of Wytheville are planning a rally Saturday, April 22, near the prison site. They hope the rally will occur before the state decides on private prison contracts.
No decision on private prison bids will be made until the General Assembly approves a final 1995-96 budget. The legislature reconvened Wednesday to consider Gov. George Allen's proposed budget revisions.
Meanwhile, another company is seeking the state contract for the 1,500-bed, medium-security prison that Corrections Corporation of America is planning for Wythe County.
"We pretty much expected that there would be competition," said CCA President David Myers. "I don't want to be overconfident, but we're going to turn in a very good proposal, and we've got the most experience, and we're the oldest and the largest company. This is what we do."
Wackenhut, the second-largest private prison company, had been seeking a site in Tazewell County for the 1,500-bed prison. But last week the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 against any private prisons in the county. In Wythe County the supervisors have voted 4-3 in favor of a private prison.
Myers said CCA also will be bidding on a second prison.
"We are going to be looking for another site to helpfully get two projects in Virginia," he said.
No date has been set to start work at the Wythe site, he said.
"That would depend on when the competition is over and if we're fortunate enough to be selected," he said. "Just as quickly as we can get the contract negotiated and signed, we'll be ready to break ground and go with it."
The prison controversy has inspired one Wythe County resident, Joel Newton of Rural Retreat, to write a song about it. Newton, who once worked as a jail guard in Atlanta, has recorded other songs he has written in a Kentucky studio.
Members of Citizens Against the Prison, formed in the wake of CCA's announced plans to build here, liked the song so much they want Newton to perform it during the anti-prison rally.
The rally is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. with a parade from Wytheville to the rally site, near where the prison is to be built. A huge anti-prison sign, visible from Interstate 81-77, has been erected to mark the rally site.
Relay for Life planned May 19-20
WYTHEVILLE - Volunteer walkers and runners will help raise money to fight cancer in a "Relay for Life" from 6 p.m. May 19 to 6 p.m. May 20 in Withers Park.
Teams representing companies, churches, civic organizations and others will collect donations for the American Cancer Society for walking or running around the park track for 24 hours.
But fun time will be included, too. When participants are not moving around the track, they will be able to take part in family fun activities.
Some relay participants have overcome cancer themselves. Money will go toward services for cancer patients and their families, education and research.
To register, call 228-3053.
Civil War displays planned
WYTHEVILLE - The Civil War and its effect on Wythe County will be shown through displays and performances at the Rock House and Boyd Museums next month.
An exhibit including crafts from the Civil War period will open May 6, when a variety of programming has been scheduled.
Music and dance from the Civil War era will be presented by Sandra Dutton, Dorothy Repass and Davey Davis. Civil War re-enactor Jeff Sexton will give a talk about what a soldier's life was like during the conflict.
Brian Willis, a history professor at Clinch Valley College, will speak on the war in Wythe County.
Guided tours of the two museums will be held May 7.
A living history encampment on the Rock House grounds and a demonstration of the use of herbs during the Civil War period are scheduled May 13.
Guided motor coach tours through the area involved in Toland's Raid and the Battle of Wytheville are planned May 13 and 14.
Desktop publishing course April 19
WYTHEVILLE - A one-credit course in desktop publishing will start at 6 p.m. April 19 at Wytheville Community College.
It will meet on Wednesday evenings for five weeks in Room 244 of Grayson Hall.
Bill Veselik, the college's public information officer, will be the instructor. The course will provide a working knowledge of desktop publishing using WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows.
Participants must pre-register by Wednesday. Further information is available by calling the Office of Continuing Education at 228-5541 (or 1-800-468-1195), extension 396.
by CNB