ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 7, 1996 TAG: 9611070040
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: what's on your mind?
SOURCE: RAY REED
Q: What's going on with the plans to widen U.S. 221? No more has been said since last year.
C.C., Roanoke
A: There hasn't been any more route planning since late 1995.
That's when the Commonwealth Transportation Board approved a route along the existing road, except for the dangerous S curve near the historic Harris farmstead.
Paperwork has been proceeding. The Department of Transportation has chosen a location and design consultant, Wiley & Wilson of Lynchburg. The company's fee comes up for approval by the Transportation Board next month.
Wiley & Wilson will design the route, probably starting in January. The public's first chance to see their work likely will come in the latter part of 1997, when detailed plans will be shown in meetings and residents can comment.
If the consultants find the route approved by the Transportation Board is impractical, they'll propose alternatives.
Earlier public input resulted in more of the existing roadway being included in the plan than VDOT engineers originally suggested.
The plan for the S-curve realignment was drawn by a VDOT engineer without public review. It would install two bridges across Back Creek and route the road over an undeveloped hill to the east of the curves.
The realignment joins the existing roadway near the farmstead on its north end and near Cotton Hill Road to the south.
Defending Virginia
Q: I was behind a van bearing a bumper sticker that read: "The Virginia Defense Force / Virginians Taking Care of Themselves." That slogan sounds like a euphemism for vigilante justice. Do you have any information on this organization?
D.G., Ferrum
A: Have no fear; it's not that kind of militia.
The Virginia Defense Force was authorized by the General Assembly in 1984 and is a military unit, much like the National Guard.
Through no fault of its own, the Defense Force has a public relations problem. Its name brings to mind those unofficial but armed civilian militias.
The Defense Force staffs armories if National Guard units are called to active duty. During last winter's snows, some members helped doctors and nurses get to work.
The outfit also helps with crowd control at events such as the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester and the Civil War re-enactment at Green Hill Park west of Salem.
Although it's classified as a light infantry unit, radios are its only state-issued equipment, said Col. W. Terry Slusher, commander of the Southwest Virginia brigade.
About half of its members are ex-military and their average age is about 50. "We're good at command, control and communication," Slusher said.
The Defense Force is operating at about half its authorized strength of 1,250. Members attend a four-hour training session once a month and a weekend training event twice a year, and they're paid only when the National Guard is activated.
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.
LENGTH: Medium: 69 linesby CNB