Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 5, 1995 TAG: 9509050022
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The New Century Council is studying those slogans and others in a bid to name the Roanoke and New River valleys and Alleghany Highlands area. The search for a single regional name is one of about 150 ideas for improving the area's economy and quality of life.
Because the study-area boundaries were drawn as much by politics as geography, it defies easy description. But there is no shortage of people willing to try.
The first batch of suggestions ranges from the obvious to obscure. The search is continuing without a deadline for new submissions, but council officials have made available the first 35 suggestions received.
Tony Pearman, art director for The Maddox Agency in Roanoke, which specializes in advertising, media planning and public relations, liked Valley Highlands. Not only does it refer to variations in the area's terrain, but "that's got a ring to it," said Pearman, who was contacted for his off-the-cuff reaction to some of the entries.
Eula Rosenberger, a homemaker and former Roanoke school official in charge of marketing and recruitment for magnet schools, said the idea just came to her: "It's just one of those crazy things, like 'civil war.' It's not a logically put-together twosome, but yet it's definitely self-explanatory and I felt like we are - our whole region - valleys located amongst highlands."
Another Pearman pick was Appalachian Jewel: "That enables you to create some interest and create some marketability," he said.
Roanoke County Supervisor Lee Eddy submitted it, he said, because "this is a great place to live. My family and I moved here from Chicago in 1962 and certainly loved it ever since."
A suggestion of New Virginia has problems, Pearman said, because it may call to mind a singing group at Virginia Tech known as the New Virginians. Green Corridor, he said, is probably too reminiscent of Greenpeace, the environmental group.
Other submissions included The New Valley, The Summit, The Twin Valley Region of Virginia, Southwest Horizon, Blue Ridge Triad, Virginia's West Coast, Western Gateway, Technology Triangle, Midmountain and Starplus. There was one vote for keeping New Century. No date has been set for a decision.
by CNB