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

DATE: SUNDAY, March 17, 1991                   TAG: 9103190396
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

REPORT CARD/ COUNTY IS WELL-RUN, NEEDS GOALS

A THREE-DAY survey, done in December by a team from the Center for Public Service, concluded that the Roanoke County government is well-run - something most county residents already know - but could make a few improvements. A spokesman for the team said it was like someone getting an annual checkup and being told by the doctor: "You're in good shape, but you need to lose some weight."

Hard to believe the government could put on weight when it's always trundling from one remote office to another. The survey team itself encountered logistical problems in scheduling the meetings it needed with widely dispersed department heads within its limited time.

Because of Roanoke County's sprawl, said the team's report, "County offices are miles from one another, resulting in immense losses of productivity, especially during peak traffic times." Say no more. Most of us have had to endure Virginia 419 in rush hour.

Inability to readily meet causes communications problems. Others arise from simple failure to pass on needed data: "Frequently, the only information a department head had received in advance about this review was a memorandum confirming an interview." A computer system that linked offices electronically could help with that problem. For the time being, more conference telephone calls could save travel and time.

A three-day study is necessarily superficial. It has no major criticisms, but perhaps the most interesting one is that decision-makers in county government are unwilling to take risks, partly because of "the lack of clearly stated goals and objectives." The county has gotten along so well, it appears, that some smugness has set in. Why rock the boat when the sea looks like glass?

Well, these are changing times. County government has improved dramatically from the bad old days; it's professional now. But with county growth has come higher demand for services. The costs of anticipated capital projects and needed infrastructure are enormous. State funding is becoming less reliable. Complacency about county schools is dangerous.

While Roanoke County has a lot going for it, including its respected administrator Elmer Hodge, there also are problems that could be headed off or minimized by more forethought.

And the county is not an island. The survey team suggests the Board of Supervisors meet regularly with other governing bodies in the Roanoke Valley to discuss mutual concerns and look for ways to cooperate.

At such sessions, some brainstorming about goals - county and valleywide - would be appropriate. Even smooth-running local government needs to dream a bit.

by CNB