Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 17, 1995 TAG: 9508170022
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
Pulaski Town Council has Polly Mitchell.
Every once in a while, Mitchell attends a session to tell Town Council where she thinks the town is falling short. On her most recent visit Tuesday night, the former councilwoman found some flaws in the town's much-heralded revival of downtown business. She worried about support to its Fire Department. And she suggested checking to make sure town employees are not over-using their cellular phones.
Many new businesses have started in recent years along Main Street. But Mitchell told council they are not open when potential customers respond to Pulaski's advertising as an antiques and art center.
A Waynesboro couple who drove to Pulaski one Sunday to shop for antiques found only one store open that afternoon, she said. And the owner of that store, RP's Collectibles, has since moved to Christiansburg.
She cited another instance where three out-of-town cars pulled up at the Renaissance Restaurant with about 15 people coming to dinner. The restaurant was closed.
The Renaissance recently eliminated its evening hours. It is now open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with plans to start offering breakfast at 6:30 a.m. after Labor Day.
"Main Street means doodlie-squat to me, and to most of the people in town. It hasn't done what it was supposed to do," she charged.
Mitchell also told council she understood the annual Fire Department parade would not be held this year for lack of funds. She said the department must use all its resources for equipment.
Town Manager Tom Combiths told council that donations to the Fire Department have dropped off, but his office was working with Fire Chief Jeff Hall on a plan for the annual parade. "We know that you all support it," he said. "We're addressing that right now."
Combiths will also check on the use of employee cellular phones.
Although Mitchell keeps council alert to issues it might not have considered, she is not always on the winning side of the resulting vote. The town supported a Main Street program which she opposed, and has spun it off into a townwide economic development program. Before that, Mitchell was among those opposing the establishment of Memorial Square Shopping Center in Pulaski - now the town's major shopping center.
She was a council member herself from 1980 to 1984, and has run unsuccessfully for a seat several times since.
"The town of Pulaski is very dear to me," Mitchell said.
One thing for sure, Pulaski Town Council hasn't heard the last from its Loyal Opposition.
by CNB