ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, September 26, 1996 TAG: 9609260011
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-11 EDITION: METRO
Paper box flap may go to court
A Roanoke man upset by newspaper vending boxes taking up space on a Vinton sidewalk indicated last week that his complaint may be taken to court.
"The ACLU is with me," James W. Brammer told members of Vinton Town Council. The American Civil Liberties Union aids in preserving civil rights.
Brammer, who is 77 and blind, says he believes the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits news boxes and similar containers from being on sidewalks.
But Buck Heartwell, Vinton town attorney, said a federal government representative had told him in a telephone conversation that the disabilities act does not prohibit newspaper boxes on sidewalks.
Brammer, however, said he believes such boxes are prohibited, and hinted that perhaps a court should be asked to decide the question.
Mayor Charles Hill said he would like to see the ADA provisions in writing rather than relying on a telephone conversation. Heartwell said he would get a copy of the act.
Brammer said he would wait until that was obtained.
Brammer previously complained to council that he bumps into four newspaper boxes in front of the post office as he uses the walls of buildings to guide his way along Pollard Street.
Town officials are looking for a new spot for the boxes. Kevin Boggess, associate planner, said he has learned the boxes cannot be moved to the side of the post office just off its parking lot, which had been suggested as a possibility.
Appeals board candidate named
Thomas A. Rotenberry has been nominated by Vinton Town Council for appointment to the town's Board of Zoning Appeals, which rules on disputed decisions of the Planning Commission. Members are appointed by Roanoke County Circuit Court judges.
Rotenberry, retired vice president of Appalachian Power Co., was nominated to fill a vacancy created when Warren Huddleston resigned because of business and personal conflicts.
Explore's 1700s event approved by Vinton
The second annual Colonial Conference and Ball will be held by Explore Park Oct. 29 and 30.
Vinton Town Council gave its approval last week for the event at the Vinton War Memorial, the same place the first one was held last year.
Scott Sarver, Explorer Park's 18th century program coordinator, said the conference and ball are held as part of the All Saints Day celebration. The educational and entertainment program is open to the public.
The conference portion of the program relates to a study of Colonial clothing.
At the ball, which will be Oct. 30, many participants will wear early American clothing, but that is not a requirement.
Vinton increases its recycling rate
Vinton's recycling rate for refuse rose to 31 percent last year - 6 percentage points over the state-required minimum.
Town Manager Clay Goodman said in a written report to Town Council that the increase came through recycling efforts by industries. Recycling of residential refuse has decreased in recent years, he said, and now is below the required 25 percent.
Goodman gave much of the credit for the industrial increase to Anita McMillan, the town's planner, for her educational program and more complete data collection.
The town's recycling rate in 1994 was 24 percent, and 26 percent in 1993.
Goodman said McMillan is now beginning a campaign to increase residential recycling.
Under a statewide recycling program - which is part of a national program - all localities must recycle at least 25 percent of their industrial and residential wastes of paper, metals, glass and plastics.
LENGTH: Medium: 75 linesby CNB