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

DATE: THURSDAY, August 31, 1995                   TAG: 9508310038
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

NEW CENTURY COUNCIL VOLUNTEERS CAN EXPECT ASSIGNMENTS THIS FALL

More than 100 people have volunteered during the past month to help the New Century Council turn its recommendations into reality.

At this point, there is nothing for them to do. The council said it isn't ready to get started, but volunteers can expect work assignments this fall.

Beverly Fitzpatrick, the council's executive director, sounded pleased by the number of people who mailed back a volunteer form put out last month. Council researcher Barbara Peery said new forms come in daily.

``It's wonderful,'' Fitzpatrick said, ``and some of the people have not participated in the initial stages.''

Hundreds of residents, business people and government officials provided ideas for a seven-part strategy released last month for improving the Roanoke and New River valleys and Alleghany Highlands area by 2015. The strategy - a 250-page report nearly two years in the making - identifies more than 150 needs related to economy, schools, government, environment, health and safety, infrastructure and leadership. The project is being administered at state expense but uses many volunteers.

A separate strategy to implement the vision is in the works, but nothing will happen until recommendations are reviewed a final time by the council's steering committee in three to five weeks, Fitzpatrick said.

At that point, the council will delegate tasks to the area's community organizations, colleges and government agencies, Fitzpatrick said.

Who will do what has been worked out and is printed in the extensive report. For instance, planning district commissions serving New Century region communities will draft proposals for laws to protect ridgelines from development. Roanoke and Blacksburg are supposed to tackle establishing mass-transit service between them. Virginia Tech will pursue a technology-application center on its campus.

The lead organizations, in turn, will invite the volunteers to participate in the discussions in which they expressed an interest, Fitzpatrick said. Volunteers are receiving letters telling them to expect a call within a few months.

by CNB