Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 14, 1995 TAG: 9504140021
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Franklin County Commonwealth's Attorney Cliff Hapgood sent a letter to Attorney General Jim Gilmore last week. Hapgood would not discuss the letter this week.
Homer Murray, the Boone District representative on the Franklin County Board of Supervisors, said he was aware of Hapgood's request.
Murray, who lives within walking distance of the Boones Mill Town Hall, frequently attends Town Council meetings and hasn't always seen eye-to-eye with some members of the town's government.
Asked what he would like to see happen if the state decides to investigate the town, Murray said: "There are so many rumors flying around. Our town is practically paralyzed. I don't know if there's anything's wrong legally, but it would be nice if the investigation could clear the air."
Boones Mill Mayor Steve Palmer said he went to Hapgood and expressed concerns shortly after he took office last year.
"I saw some things in the town's records that didn't look right," he said.
Palmer did not discuss specifics, and said he isn't sure any wrongdoing has taken place. "But maybe an investigation will get some things resolved," he said.
Palmer said he does not know what prompted Hapgood's letter.
Tom Harrison, a spokesman for the attorney general's office, would say only that the office does not talk about investigations.
Conflicts among members of the Boones Mill Town Council - often involving town Police Officer Lynn Frith - have become commonplace in recent months.
by CNB