ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, January 16, 1996 TAG: 9601160057
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: What's On Your Mind?
SOURCE: RAY REED
Q: How would snow removal be affected if Roanoke County becomes a city? Everybody talks about how bad the city streets are, and how county roads are so wonderful.
Would the Virginia Department of Transportation continue to clean all the county roads, or would the county have to do as Roanoke does and supply its own street cleaners, chemicals and so forth?
C.F., Roanoke County
A: New cities can phase in their street maintenance over a 10-year period.
That means the governing body could choose to have VDOT clear snow from its streets and do all the other maintenance chores for up to 10 years after a city charter was adopted.
Once the new city assumed responsibility for street maintenance, it would receive funds from the state for snow removal and other maintenance based on its number of lane miles.
The actual snow removal would have to be done with the locality's own snowplows, operators and supplies.
As for your comparison of city streets vs. county roads, we'll assume you're talking about the county's wonderfully clear primary roads - and not those in subdivisions.
The possibility of Roanoke County becoming a city was raised Jan. 2 when the county Board of Supervisors told County Attorney Paul Mahoney to look into asking the General Assembly for a city charter.
Roads would be one of two major differences the county would have to cope with if it became a city. The other would be limits on long-term debt for schools and other projects.
Simpson's search
Q: When O.J. Simpson was acquitted several months ago, he made the comment that once free he would not rest until the real killers were brought to justice. I'm just curious how his relentless pursuit is coming along.
S.H., Roanoke
A: The broadcaster who interviewed Simpson for his just-released videotape says Simpson has a theory but no suspects in the deaths of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
Ross Becker, a former Los Angeles TV newscaster who was paid to interview Simpson on the video, told the Associated Press:
``Yes, he does have a theory about it. He doesn't have a specific name [of a suspect]. His line to me was, `If I knew who did it, I wouldn't be sitting here right now.'''
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.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 linesby CNB