ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 23, 1996 TAG: 9604230039
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PULASKI
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
Pulaski voters who turned out for a Town Council candidates' forum Thursday night are concerned about rising water rates.
Earlier the same day, the council's Finance Committee heard a recommendation from the town administration to raise water rates by 14 percent to cover the system's higher operating costs.
The committee said "no," and told the staff to scale the increase back at least to 8 percent.
Councilwoman Alma Holston, who is seeking re-election, told 25 people attending the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce forum that she could not vote for the 14 percent rate increase. But she admitted some increase is coming.
"I don't know when it'll stop," Mayor Andy Graham said of water and sewer rates. The water and sewer funds are supposed to be self-sustaining, he said, and not take any money from the general fund.
Holston saw nothing wrong with some expenses, like engineering, administration and legal costs, coming from the general fund.
Councilman Roy D'Ardenne said the three funds are kept separate because financial consultants frown on mixing them, and doing so could affect the town's bond rating and securing of grants.
Graham, unopposed for re-election as mayor, said he would like to look at dropping the bottom tier of the sliding-scale rates.
"We have the lowest water rates in the New River Valley," Councilman John Johnston said. "What we need to do is identify some of the problem areas."
One of them is that the town treats more water than reaches its customers. The town is trying to find out if the losses are from leaks or other problems. "If we billed all the water we produced, we'd be in great shape," Johnston said.
Holston, D'Ardenne and Johnston are being challenged for four seats to be filled May 7 by Jim Neblett and Polly Mitchell, both of whom have served on council, and businessman Charles Stewart Jr.
Other concerns raised through audience questions were town cleanup problems, recreation, and when Police Chief Herb Cooley would move here. Cooley, the former chief Wythe County deputy, has not moved to town since he was named police chief in the past year.
The incumbents defended their cleanup program, which includes volunteer cleanups today and April 27. Graham and Holston said cleanup efforts should go all year. Neblett and Mitchell joined in praising the recreation program, in cooperation with Pulaski County and Dublin, although Mitchell and Graham noted the town has no swimming pool.
Mitchell said she is opposed to hiring people from outside town for administrative positions, and criticized Cooley for not having moved to Pulaski.
Holston noted that Cooley had sold his house in Wytheville and was living in rented quarters until he could find a home here. Graham and D'Ardenne said the real question should be whether Cooley is doing a good job as chief, and both said he is. "I know for a fact that he has looked and looked" for a home to buy, D'Ardenne said. "If anybody here knows of a house that would meet his needs and it's within a range he can afford to pay, I'm sure he'd love to hear about it."
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS CITY COUNCILby CNB