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

DATE: THURSDAY, May 4, 1995                   TAG: 9505050026
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

STUDENTS SEE VINTON GOVERNMENT IN ACTION

Local government is a place where individuals can make a difference, but the right to vote and participate must be exercised. This was part of the message given William Byrd High School senior government students Tuesday during the Town of Vinton's annual Student Government Day.

About 30 students spent part of the day shadowing town officials to get an insight in how local government works and learning details of various jobs.

They also held a mock council meeting and attended a real council meeting to get the flavor of government in action.

"Student Government Day is one of the highlights of the year for Town Council," said Mayor Charles Hill, urging the students to exercise their right to vote at all levels and to participate in governmental affairs, especially at the local level.

"Sometimes local elections get overlooked and are not thought as important as state and federal elections," Hill said. "But it is on the local level where the individual can have greater impact."

The mayor, attending his first council meeting since undergoing heart bypass surgery, said individuals can write letters to representatives in state and federal governments but their letters might never get read because of the volume of mail those legislators receive.

"You will be heard on the local level," he said. "You and everyone else can make a difference in local government."

Other council members echoed Hill's sentiments, and Councilman Billy Obenchain said the participation by the people in local government can help prevent the fall of great nations.

In another action:

Town Council approved a resolution declaring April 30 through May 14 as Virginia Heritage Tourism Week as part of National Preservation Week.

The resolution, promoted by the Roanoke Regional Preservation Office, said that historical preservation is "an effective tool for managing growth, revitalizing neighborhoods and fostering local pride.

Council members also accepted a color photograph of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds in flight. Col. Daniel J. Darnell, a native of Vinton and graduate of William Byrd High School, has been commander/leader of the Thunderbirds for the last two years.

by CNB