Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 15, 1990 TAG: 9005150320
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: MIKE WOLFE SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: CLIFTON FORGE LENGTH: Medium
At Monday night's regular council meeting, an apparently routine appointment generated charges of retribution.
Mayor Nancy Slusser and Vice Mayor Russell Smith were defeated in the election by Robert Joe Anderson, a former councilman, and newcomer Johnny Wright. Councilman Rob Drewry, running in an alliance with Anderson and Wright, was re-elected.
Monday, Slusser removed Norman C. Scott, a 31-year veteran of the regional airport board, and appointed herself. The other appointee to a three-year term was John Sanders.
Scott addressed the council and provided a statement to the press. He said he had been most recently appointed in July 1987 and that "it is customary that appointments . . . be made after the organization of a new council in July."
Scott said he had been a part of the airport committee from its "bootstrap" days and had seen the airport grow into a $5 million, 353-acre facility near Hot Springs.
A banker and businessman, Scott said his experience helped generate an increase in equity, and that he had never missed a meeting during 31 years and had "never accepted a penny for travel or other expenses."
Scott also asked to continue in the unpaid position and further asked council to wait until the new council's installation in July to make a reappointment.
Slusser told a reporter after the meeting that such appointments are made by the mayor rather than by council although council members have the right of "concurrence."
Asked after the meeting whether politics had played a part in his being removed from the board, Scott said, "I presume that it did."
Scott said he had taken an active part in the election "for the best interests of the city, although [Slusser] is giving me a great deal more credit that I deserve." Scott said more than 50 people worked actively on the election campaign and "there were 800-and-some voters who didn't want her."
Neither Sanders' appointment nor the several other routine appointments generated any discussion.
Council also split over whether to grant pay for excess vacation time accrued by city employees prior to a new city personnel policy's taking effect in January 1989.
Smith recommended granting the pay and his proposal eventually carried by a 3-1 vote. Drewry was opposed and Councilman and former City Treasurer Bob Deaton abstained because of his close relationship with most of the workers.
Drewry said the plan could cost the city more than $18,000 at a time when it is strapped for cash. He said the funds were not appropriated in the current budget.
Slusser said funds were allocated.
City Manager Steve Carter interjected that while adequate funds were available in the contingencies category, no specific appropriation had been made.
A request by property owner Bobbie Slusher to permit the extension of Sixth Street to Alleghany Street also led to extended discussion.
Smith favored granting Slusher's request and Slusser was clearly sympathetic.
Crackel recommended repeatedly that council take no action until Slusher had provided a title certificate and a certified land survey.
Slusher said she had been waiting since November for a decision.
Drewry and Deaton said they were unwilling to go against the city attorney's advice and Slusser and Kimberlin declined to do so as well.
Slusser told Slusher that council would hold a special meeting if necessary once she could provide the materials requested by Crackel.
by CNB