ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, December 19, 1995 TAG: 9512190044
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: C8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JEFF STURGEON STAFF WRITER
MEMO: ***CORRECTION***
Published correction ran on December 21, 1995.
The correct phone number for information about a proposed conference
next spring in Roanoke on sustainable development is (540) 639-9314. An
incorrect number was included in a story on Tuesday's Business page.
The average citizen thinks government officials quarrel more than than they cooperate, right?
Not true, say three Western Virginia planning district commissions, which have written a pledge to work together.
The planning groups' "memorandum of understanding on cooperation" is partly a public relations tool, Wayne Strickland, executive director of the Roanoke-based Fifth Planning District Commission, said Monday.
"The general public feels that local governments often do not cooperate," Strickland said. "We wanted to say two things: We are glad to work together on things that have implications beyond [district] boundaries, but further, we are going to work more closely together."
The memo is a pledge of unity by the Roanoke-based commission and the two commissions serving 11 adjacent cities and counties. The commissions are among 21 state-created organizations dedicated to long-range regional planning.
The planning agencies pledge to aid, where possible, the New Century Council, Blue Ridge Economic Development Commission, the governor's Economic Development Advisory Councils, Virginia Tech and other organizations and to pursue new laws of mutual interest.
The New Century Council is a grass-roots group receiving state money that recommended 150 steps in July to set a future direction for the region. Beverly Fitzpatrick, the council's executive director, said the planning groups are strong potential allies, as they have the staff expertise, motivation and regionwide perspective to get things done.
"They can be a lot of help," Fitzpatrick said. "If they take the leadership, they can play a major role."
The new coalition of planning district commissions still is deciding exactly what to do for the New Century Council.
One idea is a proposed conference early in the spring in Roanoke on sustainable development, which the group defined as economic development undertaken in a way to improve quality of life and business success, enhance schools and infrastructure and save natural resources. Conference information is available from Pat Therrien, manager of the Appalachian Regional Recycling Consortium, at (540) 639-9914.
LENGTH: Medium: 52 linesby CNB