ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606100011
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-12 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
Expansion funds returned
WYTHEVILLE - An industry in Wytheville is returning state and county money given to it a year ago to help fund an expansion in size and employment.
Wythe County provided $80,000 to Longwood Elastomers Inc. and, during a ceremony last July, Gov. George Allen formally presented a state check for $65,000 to help prepare a site for a new building.
County officials said they understood that the expansion was scheduled to be completed by this spring, but has not yet started. They were also upset that, rather than additional jobs being created, there had been some apparent reductions.
The county Board of Supervisors wrote a letter last month to James J. Hartnett, chief executive officer of parent company Longwood Industries Inc. of Florham Park, N.J., asking for a report on the expansion.
Hartnett responded with a letter saying no deadline was set for completion of the expansion, and that consultants and engineers hired by the company have advised that the business needed internal improvements before making final its expansion plans.
So, the company has started a continuous improvement program at its Wytheville plant affecting its layout, efficiency, space and people needs, he said. It also restructured some administrative jobs.
"Twelve positions were involved, and each of the people affected was offered other employment in our plant," he said. "Some elected to stay in different jobs, others did not. That restructuring was separate from our continuous improvement process, and has made us a more efficient business."
To avoid any controversy, he said, both the county and state money is being returned with interest at the U.S. Treasury bill rate dating from the time it was received.
Entries needed for July 4th parade
BLACKSBURG - Entries for the 10th annual Blacksburg Independence Day parade are needed. The parade, organized by the Mount Tabor Ruritan Club, will begin at 2 p.m. on July 4 at the south side of Blacksburg Middle School. The parade will march along Main Street to the Virginia Tech Drill Field. The theme is "Renewing Democracy: You and Me, Step by Step."
Trophies for the best theme representation, best youth unit and best overall unit will be awarded.
Entries can be as big as a bus but can also be antique cars, race cars, three- and four-wheelers, lawn tractors, bicycles, tricycles and wagons. The parade needs walking and marching units and especially musical entries. A section in the parade will be reserved for children to participate with their cycles, wagons and costumes.
There is no entry fee, but participants should register by June 27.
Call Gavin Faulkner at 961-3315 or e-mail faulknernrv.net to enter.
Wythe hospital to have new CEO
WYTHEVILLE - Wythe County Community Hospital will get a new chief executive officer Wednesday.
Gerald D. Neal was chosen from a field of applicants for the post. He has experience in information systems and accounting and has served as both chief financial officer and chief executive officer in the health care field.
He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Drexel University and a master's in business administration from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
COPE discussion on AEP power line
PEARISBURG - Citizens Organized to Protect the Environment (COPE) will meet at the Giles County Courthouse at 501 Wenonah Ave. in Pearisburg at 7:30 p.m. Monday. The meeting will provide a forum for discussing opposition to construction of a proposed American Electric Power 765-kilovolt power line and other environmental issues.
Call Dorrie Ditton at 544-7475 or 552-5852.
Wythe Board votes on land plan, jail repairs
WYTHEVILLE - The Wythe County Board of Supervisors last week agreed by a 5-2 vote to continue working on a potential land use ordinance, as recommended by the county Planning Commission.
Clay Lawrence and Carleton Rose voted against further consideration of zoning.
In other business, the board approved $11,000 for repairs to the Wythe County jail. The repairs include worn-out plumbing fixtures and will only be temporary, but the county has hired a consultant to recommend how to proceed on new jail facilities in the near future.
Boundary adjustment hearing planned
RURAL RETREAT - Wythe County officials will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. June 20 on a request for a boundary adjustment from the town of Rural Retreat in the town's Community Center.
A committee from the county Board of Supervisors has set up the meeting to give citizens of the area involved a chance to comment on the proposal.
A copy of the proposed adjustment is on file in the Rural Retreat Town Hall for public review.
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