ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 23, 1997 TAG: 9701230014
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY AND PAUL DELLINGER
*Christiansburg Town Council approved a proposal Tuesday to begin a study of the downtown area.
The study, to be conducted by volunteers, would poll business owners "to get some type of direction or feeling about what the downtown will look like in a number of years," said Councilman Wayne Booth.
Council also approved a plan to install pedestrian-safety signs and paint cross walks in several places on Main Street and Franklin Street in the downtown area. The move comes after complaints from pedestrians about discourteous drivers.
Council asked all town employees to set an example while they are behind the wheel of a vehicle and the town police to enforce the regulations.
*Pulaski Town Council has defined the position of assistant to the town manager and will seek applicants for the job. Rob Lyons resigned as assistant town manager for a new position in Tennessee early this month. His job had been upgraded from assistant to the town manager to assistant town manager during his time in Pulaski. Council voted Tuesday to go back to the assistant to the town manager position, with a salary range of $22,986 to $34,480. The job's responsibilities will include reviewing monthly finances and working with department heads on them, helping prepare the annual budget and assisting the town manager in personnel, community, economic development and other matters.
Council referred consideration of a proposal to require safety helmets for children up to age 14 when riding bicycles, to its Ordinance Committee for consideration.
Councilwoman Bettye Steger reported that the town's Community Crime Awareness Committee, seeking activities for young people, is looking for a site for a skating center. A previous center in the former Brush Arbor Worship Center on East Main Street (Virginia 99) had proved popular, sometimes drawing several hundred youngsters. But the church that rented the building and provided the skating activity has moved to smaller quarters, and the building itself is being demolished to make way for a Rite-Aid Pharmacy. She asked that anyone with a potential skating center site to contact the committee.
Steger also reported a grant to hire a full-time domestic violence officer, as a temporary position and not part of the town's classification plan. The award is for $48,000, including a $10,000 in-kind match by the town.
Upcoming:
*The Montgomery County School Board will continue its budget deliberations tonight and Monday. The meetings will begin at 7 p.m. at the School Board office, 200 Junkin St., Christiansburg.
The completed budget proposal will be presented to the public at a meeting Tuesday at Christiansburg High School. That forum will begin at 7:30 p.m.
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