ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, August 20, 1996 TAG: 9608200050
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO WHAT'S ON YOUR
SOURCE: RAY REED
Q: Why hasn't the speed limit been increased on Read Mountain Road since it was widened and straightened in Botetourt County? The limit's still 35 mph, the same as before the improvements, and the road seems safe enough for a faster speed.
H.A., Blue Ridge
A: Your posing this question actually could make a difference.
The Virginia Department of Transportation says a speed study might be done on this stretch of road.
That's no guarantee that the limit will be increased, but the road probably was designed for a 40 mph speed limit, a VDOT spokeswoman said.
Lots of factors are considered in a speed study, and one of them is the speed at which 85 percent of the vehicles travel.
That means the fastest 15 percent of drivers are tossed out of the study.
If the rest of the road users normally travel faster than 35 mph on this road, and there are no risks that would make the transportation department liable for damages, there's a chance the speed limit could change.
Speed studies normally are done when someone wants the speed limit reduced, VDOT said.
Such a study can be requested by local government officials, police and residents.
Paint job due
Q: With the beautiful new entrance to Hollins College and the improvements to Williamson Road in that area, why can't Roanoke County add a fresh coat of paint to the water tank just north of the college?
D.F., Roanoke
A: It's Roanoke city's water tank, and City Council on Monday approved a bid for covering that rusty surface with new paint.
Craig Sluss of the city's water department said this tank, and a similar one near Colonial Avenue, didn't receive good paint jobs when they were built in 1985.
These 1million-gallon tanks are supposed to be repainted every 10 years, so this job is due. The low bid for both tanks is about $90,000, Sluss said.
The tanks' exteriors are less critical than their interiors, which take a special paint to protect the drinking water, Sluss said.
Lotto insecurity
Q: This is a hypothetical question: If I'm 65 and drawing Social Security, I can earn about $12,000 from a part-time job without paying a penalty. If I make $9,000 above that amount, I have to pay the government $3,000 and keep $6,000. The point of my question is, if I won $50,000 in the lottery, would I have to give the Social Security Administration one-third of the lottery winnings?
J.L., Roanoke
A: No. The lottery winnings would not be earned income and would not be counted against your retirement income.
That's the word from the local Social Security office.
Lottery winners do need to consider a couple of other points, however. Winnings are subject to income taxes.
For those receiving Supplemental Security Income, because of a disability for example, any lottery winnings should be reported to Social Security as income.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Call us at 981-3118. Or, e-mail RayR@Roanoke.Infi.Net. Maybe we can find the answer.
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