ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 18, 1996 TAG: 9601180067
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: What's on your mind?
SOURCE: RAY REED
Q: We live on a private road, part of which is in Roanoke, and part of which is in Roanoke County. There are three homes on the road: one in the city and two in the county. How do we get a private road dedicated to the city or the state?
F.O., Roanoke
A: You live in a rural, undeveloped setting that's isolated even though you're on the verge of the Roanoke city limits.
Your privacy and proximity to nature may be treasures you won't want to give up in order to get your road paved by government agencies.
That rustic setting at the foot of Stewart's Knob in Northeast Roanoke has been complicated by snow and mud the past couple of weeks, so the lure of nature may be wearing thin.
The possible answers here may not be the ones you're looking for. All of them figure to be costly to you - and your neighbors.
Getting a private road accepted into city maintenance probably requires that the road have more houses on it than are now on your road.
Roanoke County has a list of more than 20 private roads that residents want to come into the public system. They're taken in as funds become available, and your road has its beginnings in the city, anyway.
Your options appear to be:
Write your request to the city and county engineering departments, then arrange a meeting with your two neighbors and representatives of the two governments. Bill Clark, Roanoke's director of public works, said a cost-sharing arrangement might be possible.
Also, you could hire a lawyer, who might find a foothold in the law that fits your particular situation.
Or develop the land so you have more neighbors, thereby making the road more public.
A fourth choice would be to make minor improvements to the road at your own expense.
These aren't easy choices, but they may seem less weighty by the time springtime arrives in your neck of the woods.
Representative payee
Q: I have a power of attorney to manage the business affairs of an adult relative, but the Social Security Administration refuses to recognize it. Everyone else - such as the bank and hospital - is comfortable with this document, so why isn't it any good at Social Security?
C.R., Roanoke
A: Social Security has its own way of paying benefits when a recipient is unable to manage his or her own affairs.
Payments intended for a person who is incapacitated can be managed by a representative payee, whom the Social Security Administration has approved.
The representative is required to make an accounting to Social Security of how the benefits are spent on the recipient's care or living expenses.
A power of attorney does not give Social Security any accounting control over use of the benefits.
Representative payees can be appointed if medical evidence is given to Social Security that the person is not capable of managing the benefits. The letter should be written by a doctor or hospital familiar with the person's capabilities.
Fred Ayscue, district manager for Social Security, said the agency would look to the closest relatives when it begins seeking someone to serve as a designated payee.
Have 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: 77 linesby CNB