ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 3, 1996 TAG: 9602030021
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PEARISBURG
SOURCE: CLAYTON BRADDOCK STAFF WRITER
The first February snow may be drawing some attention, but flood damage in Giles County may get even more if the Board of Supervisors has its way.
The board on Thursday approved a request asking President Clinton to declare the county a disaster area. The move comes in the wake of heavy January flooding that followed the melting of more than 2 feet of snow.
Flooding led to more than $2 million in damage throughout the county. The water rose from creeks and river beds and damaged houses, cars, property and roads. It also caused rock and mud slides.
If the president makes the declaration, it would open the door to funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
County officials worry now that if predictions are accurate, this weekend will see up to 2 feet of snowfall, and another round of rain and flooding.
Meanwhile, the county is moving closer to realizing plans for another kind of emergency. The long-awaited enhanced 911 program should be on line soon.
On Thursday, Katherine Smith, a spokeswoman for the program, asked for approval of two service agreements with Bell Atlantic to establish the two main components of the program.
Although supervisors were supportive, they didn't act on the request Thursday night because of some concerns about funds set aside in the county's 1995 budget.
The board, led by Supervisor R. W. Williams, asked Smith to come back and present the program's current or amended budget so the supervisors can make sure they can adequately fund the requests.
"Without these service agreements we will not be able to implement the Enhanced 911 program," Smith said.
In other business, the board approved:
A $9,250 addition to the budget of Rick Cook, county treasurer. The money will be used to supplement a deputy's salary and to pay for part-time help during tax season.
A request from Rich Creek Mayor Gary Eaton asking that the town be allowed to cease payments for the its purchase of Rich Creek Elementary School, now being used as a community center. The town purchased the building from the county for $65,000 and already has paid $45,000. In effect, the supervisors asked for a final payment of $5,000 and will forgive the remaining costs.
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