ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608290037
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN
Betty Thomas, Montgomery County's administrator, will return to work next week after six weeks of sick leave to undergo, and then recuperate from, surgery.
"I'm doing just fine and I'll be back on the job the fifth" of September, Thomas said Wednesday. She also plans to attend today's opening of the Coal Bank Hollow Road consolidated waste collection site.
Her deputies, Jeff Lunsford and Randy Wertz, have filled in for Thomas at Board of Supervisors meetings and with daily duties.
"My staff, we talk daily," Thomas said.
Thomas said the timing of her absence was fortuitous as it came after the Board of Supervisors had dealt with the annual budget and other key matters.
Thomas is looking forward to returning to work after the long leave. "It's OK to have a little rest, but not for long," she said.
Thomas joined the county staff in 1972. She became county administrator in 1981.
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Thomasby CNB