
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 29, 1990                   TAG: 9006290469
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

LOBBYIST PROPOSED FOR CITY IN RICHMOND

Vice Mayor Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr. has proposed that Roanoke join a growing number of cities and counties in Virginia that send full-time lobbyists to Richmond to look out for their interests when the General Assembly is in session.

Fitzpatrick said a legislative liaison - who would be a city employee - could work to get more state money for schools, a proposed convention center, an expanded regional sewage treatment plant, the Roanoke-Blacksburg highway and other projects.

The Roanoke Valley is fortunate to have "one of the finest elected delegations" in the General Assembly, he said, but a full-time city representative in Richmond could help the legislators pull in more state money and monitor legislation.

"Having someone always there on constant vigil or working on the other senators and delegates on projects can assist our elected senators and delegates and enhance their ability to help us," Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick said the liaison would not be a lobbyist in the traditional sense because he or she would be on the city payroll.

But some council members had reservations about the proposal because they say the city's legislators and other officials do a good job of representing the city's interests.

"It rubs me the wrong way to hire someone to represent us when we have people elected to represent us," Councilman Robert Garland said.

City Attorney Wilburn Dibling develops Roanoke's legislative proposals each year and makes frequent trips to Richmond when the General Assembly is in session to consult with the city's legislators and represent the city at important hearings.

City Council has referred Fitzpatrick's proposal to City Manager Robert Herbert and other top city officials for study and a report.

by CNB