THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 8, 1995 TAG: 9501080069
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: STAUNTON LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
The warden of the Staunton Correctional Center distributed more than 1,000 holiday greetings after the governor's office banned the exchange of such greetings at taxpayer expense.
The photocopies of a greeting card with a message from Warden Charles E. Thompson were prepared Nov. 22 at state expense, before a memo from Gov. George Allen's office warned state workers not to waste money on Christmas cards, Department of Corrections officials said.
The greetings, dated Dec. 16, were passed out to the center's 1,030 employees and inmates shortly after the memo from Allen's chief of staff, Jay Timmons.
Thompson declined to comment.
``We've asked everybody to look at unnecessary expenditures and to save taxpayers' money and we're going to continue to do that,'' said Bill Cimino, a spokesman for Secretary of Public Safety Jerry W. Kilgore.
Cimino said the delay between the printing of the greetings and their distribution was because the warden wanted to enclose the greetings in workers' pay envelopes for the pay period closest to Christmas.
``We feel that it will not happen in the future,'' Cimino said.
The warden sent 730 copies of a greeting to inmates. His message to them read: ``I realize that the holidays are a difficult time for many of you; however, I hope that you can look toward the new year with hope for a brighter future and, through your cooperation, help make this a safe institution for you, our staff and the public.''
The message in 300 employees' pay envelopes read: ``During my short time as warden of the Staunton Correctional Center, it has become apparent that this institution is operated by staff with high standards and motivation. I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to you for your efforts and commitment to the service which we provide.'' by CNB