Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 17, 1995 TAG: 9506200029
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH HUNTLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The vote was 3 to 2.
The partnership, which includes local governments, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and businesses from around the state, is collaborating to keep the state's cities working toward long-range solutions to metropolitan problems. And County Administrator Elmer Hodge wanted in.
"From the data I have seen, I'm convinced inner cities have a certain amount of fiscal stress, and from the information I've seen, that will affect the suburbs," he said. "More and more counties are recognizing the need for us to be involved in this."
The county has been participating in some of the group's discussions, Hodge said, but by invitation only. Paying the $10,000 fee will give the county full voting privileges, he said.
"The benefit to us is that we will be a part of an organization that is looking at issues that relate to us," Hodge said.
However, some supervisors were not convinced that participation was worth the price.
Supervisor Bob Johnson said he is frustrated by the large number of reports on regional issues that have failed to produce concrete results.
"If I had my druthers, I'd spend this $10,000 on Explore Park or Center in the Square, because I know I'd get my money's worth," Johnson said before voting against the allocation. "I think this is just another drain that we don't need to throw our money down."
To complicate the matter further, the supervisors differed in their assessments of the urban/rural population split in the county.
Hodge said the breakdown was probably about 50-50. Lee Eddy estimated 75 percent urban and 25 percent rural. Harry Nickens said he'd reverse those figures. And Ed Kohinke chimed in with his guess: 60 percent urban and 40 percent rural.
Board Chairman Fuzzy Minnix looked out into the audience.
"Anybody out there want to make a guess?" he said, with a grin. No one did.
According to 1990 U.S. Census figures, the county's population is 73 percent urban and 27 percent rural, and Minnix pointed out a general feeling that the county is growing.
"Whatever the split, we are definitely moving towards becoming a more urban county," he said, explaining why he would vote for the membership dues.
"Every time we turn around, somebody has gotten together to form another group, and they come asking for money," Minnix said. "But I'm afraid if we don't join this, we will be falling back into the Stone Age."
Minnix added, however, that he considered the dues a one-time expenditure.
"I'll vote for it this once," he said. "Don't come asking again next year."
by CNB