ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 6, 1997 TAG: 9703060047
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PULASKI
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER THE ROANOKE TIMES
Council approves contract to bring back pro baseball.
H. Lee Chitwood, a lawyer and Pulaski native, has been chosen as the newest member of Pulaski Town Council.
Chitwood belongs to the Wytheville-based law firm of Gleaves Kaase & Chitwood, but frequently represents clients in New River Valley courts. He was among those considered early last year for the 27th Judicial District juvenile and domestic relations judgeship.
Council also has a new vice mayor, Bettye Steger, who was elected to the governing body in 1994.
During the council session, Town Manager Tom Combiths reported that Hiawatha Nicely, representing Pulaski Baseball, has a contract ready to be signed which will bring Appalachian League professional baseball back to town with a Texas Rangers farm team. Nicely said the baseball club did request one addition, stating that the town and Pulaski Baseball would work together to plan for long-term professional baseball in Pulaski.
Council approved the addition unanimously, although Councilwoman Polly Mitchell asked whether the town was committing itself to expensive improvements at Calfee Park. "I'm not in favor of putting a whole lot into a baseball field," she said. Combiths said the statement is not a commitment for specific costs or improvements.
The council has also approved April as Confederate History Month in Pulaski. At the meeting Tuesday, Jerry Sayers, representing the Jubal Early Camp, thanked council for allowing the group to use Jackson Park for a memorial ceremony April 26 to Southerners who died in the Civil War. Del. Tommy Baker, R-Pulaski County, will be the ceremony's keynote speaker, Sayers said.
In the council's new composition, Steger succeeds W.H. "Rocky" Schrader as vice mayor and Chitwood gets his place on council. Schrader resigned from both positions last month because of increasing management responsibilities at the Hudson Chevrolet dealership.
Council made the appointments following a closed session Tuesday. Earlier, the governing body honored former Mayor Andy Graham who resigned at the end of January for health reasons.
Councilman John Johnston was elevated to mayor, leaving a vacancy on council which was filled by Joe Weddle, Pulaski Division manager for American Electric Power.
Graham served on council from 1968 to 1984, and again from 1986 to 1994 when he was elected mayor. He was the guest at a reception which drew town employees, current and former council members and other well-wishers.
Council passed a resolution honoring Graham, and another recognizing Cub Scout Pack 143's 50th anniversary since it was started by Ralph Hotz, then principal at Claremont Elementary School.
In other business, Combiths reported more than 75 applications for the assistant to the town manager position. Assistant Town Manager Rob Lyons resigned earlier this year for a new position in Tennessee.
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