Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 22, 1990 TAG: 9005220434
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The idea of a second vote for the east county residents was rejected after a three-hour closed meeting Monday night by city, county and town officials.
The consolidation agreement would allow Vinton to nearly triple its size and expand to the Botetourt and Bedford County lines, taking in subdivisions along Virginia 24 and Hardy Road.
Three county supervisors and some residents in the rapidly growing area think the residents should have the chance to vote on whether they want to become part of the town.
But City Councilman Howard Musser said that no change will be made in the agreement that allows Vinton to expand if the city and county are consolidated. "We don't think that it would be fair for the [consolidated government] to surround Vinton with no chance for the town to grow," Musser said after the meeting.
The town is already providing some services to the east county areas and can provide some services better than the consolidated government could, he said.
Vinton officials participated in the original negotiations that led to the agreement on the town's status and expansion area if consolidation is approved.
Under the consolidation plan, Vinton would retain its status as a town, but it would be part of the metropolitan government, with a similar relationship to the one it now has with the county.
If merger is approved, Vinton would be allowed to annex several subdivisions, including Falling Creek, Stonebridge Acres, Spring Grove, Lindenwood, Crofton and Montgomery Village.
After the initial boundary expansion, the town has agreed that it will not seek independent city status or try to annex any territory from the consolidated government for 25 years.
After the consolidation plan was drafted, three county supervisors - Chairman Dick Robers, Lee Eddy and Steve McGraw - requested several changes, including allowing a second vote in Vinton.
Musser and Vice Mayor Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr. met with Robers and McGraw to discuss the request. Vinton Mayor Charles Hill and Town Manager George Nester also attended the meeting.
"We listened to what they [Robers and McGraw] had to say. And they heard what the Vinton officials had to say. And then we decided to stick with what we have," Musser said.
Meanwhile city and county officials will meet with Salem officials Friday to discuss a proposal to expand the area in the western part of the county where residents would get a second vote on deciding whether they want to become part of the city of Salem.
Under the original plan, only the Glenvar/west county area between Fort Lewis Mountain and Poor Mountain would have been given the chance to join Salem.
Last week, city and county negotiators revised the consolidation proposal to allow Mason Cove, Bennett Springs, Catawba Valley and most other parts of the Catawba district to vote on whether to join Salem. That change is likely to be approved by the Board of Supervisors and Roanoke City Council.
by CNB