THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 12, 1994 TAG: 9409120052
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NORTON LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
Gov. George F. Allen, riding a horse, and former governors L. Douglas Wilder and Linwood Holton, riding in convertibles, led a Governors' Day parade to celebrate Norton's 100th birthday.
Allen wore a Stetson hat, a bolo tie and cowboy boots Saturday as he rode down Park Avenue, waving to the crowd.
After reaching Norton City Park, U.S. District Judge Glen Williams introduced his former law clerk to the audience. Allen said he learned much about southwest Virginia while working in Williams' Abingdon office.
Allen said Norton and its citizens have the essential ingredients for success and said he saw signs of growth and prosperity on a tour earlier Saturday of industries and businesses in Norton and Wise County.
``Folks want to be self-reliant and want to be able to be independent,'' he said. Allen said those traits are characteristic of southwest Virginia as a whole.
He praised the natural beauty of the city and the region, but said the area's best feature is the character of the people.
Allen said Norton has ``folks living here now who are looking out for those who have yet to be born.'' The governor said residents care about family, friends, community, schools and neighbors.
Allen also announced that the state has extended for a year a contract with AT&T's Dual Relay Center in Norton. The center employs about 175 people who help deaf telephone users. by CNB