Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 13, 1995 TAG: 9507130023
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY REED
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
N.W., Roanoke
A: It was purely an economic decision for the Vinton festival, President Joe Bush Jr. said. Pageant costs outweighed the revenues.
The Roanoke Valley pageant wasn't held because previous organizers were busy with other things, said Margaret Baker, executive director of the Miss Virginia Pageant.
Baker said she hopes both pageants will return to the Miss Virginia competition.
Bush cited expenses: a franchise fee of approximately $600, rental of an auditorium and stage equipment, and scholarship prizes that included $1,500 for first place.
Attendance had been low at the Miss Vinton Dogwood Festival Pageant, and revenues hadn't matched expenses for several years.
Bush said money was the only factor in the Vinton Dogwood Festival's decision this year. Festival events come and go, and often an event's return may depend on whether it's self-supporting.
Alley cleanup
Q: Who is responsible for the cleanliness of dirty and overgrown alleys? I know they are the city's property and rights of way, but is cleaning up the city's, the property owner's or the renter's responsibility?
J.B., Roanoke
A: The city is responsible for alleys.
There's no getting around the obvious, though: Property owners and residents have a lot to do with clean alleys.
The city has a crew that does nothing but alleys - cutting grass, weeds and overhanging tree branches, and picking up litter.
A dozen blocks a week are cleaned up, said Bill Clark, director of public works. Miles of alleys mean the job can't be done fast enough to satisfy everyone.
"Property owners can do a lot to assist by helping with their own maintenance, cutting grass along the edge of alleys and not throwing junk in the alley," Clark said.
Cleanup controls more than litter. Crime declines when it has no place to hide.
If an alley needs help, residents can call 981-2225 for a cleanup.|
Lotto realities
Q: I have a question about the lottery. The first week after someone wins, the jackpot is about $1 million. The next drawing it becomes $1.5 million, where it used to go up to $2 million. Why the change?
B.W., Huddleston
A: Lotto isn't the hot ticket it was the first two or three years.
People are playing less, and changes in interest rates affect the lottery. The purse increase has slowed down.
A minimum prize of about $1 million is required, but the increase after each drawing is based on the lottery's income.
The biweekly boost has been about a half-million dollars until the pot reaches $10 million or so, when more players buy in.
The lottery hasn't reached double figures in quite a while because winners have been cleaning up regularly.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.
by CNB