Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 6, 1992 TAG: 9202060177
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
CITIZEN KEEPS BUZZING 'ROUND THEIR EARS
Douglas Stewart is the kind of citizen public officials would rather see and not hear.And hear and hear and hear.
"A government is of the people, by the people and for the people, but that evidently doesn't exist in Christiansburg," Stewart told Town Council members at a meeting in the fall.
He's been showing up and talking at meetings ever since.
As Stewart talked this week, the mayor tapped a pencil on the long council table. One council member's face turned redder and redder and Stewart talked on and on.
Stewart asks pointed questions. In public.
This week he grilled council about its alleged lack of respect for citizens who come to them for help.
Some council members have been known to laugh at questions or suggestions from citizens during meetings.
Stewart, for one, doesn't think that's appropriate behavior.
Tuesday, for instance, Stewart let loose with a barrage of questions that turned into a verbal tennis match between him and several of the members.
It lasted 20 minutes.
Stewart is angry that council has twice rejected closing an unimproved section of Harkrader Street, where Stewart lives.
He told town officials they seemed more concerned with a subdivision contractor than with the citizens.
Harmon Forest residents in Stewart's neighborhood fear that if the road stays open - eventually linking their subdivision with the proposed subdivision next door - it will become a shortcut and increase traffic and crime.
Council's reason for keeping the road open is that it gives better access for emergency vehicles.
Why wasn't that a concern before the new subdivision was started? Stewart wanted to know. Many residents have lived in Harmon Forest for more than 10 years with only one way in and one way out.
Council members said they've considered the street-closing request enough.
Stewart said he thinks there should be more communication during meetings between town officials and their citizens before decisions are made.
"We could be here all night," Mayor Harold Linkous said.
"Isn't that your job?" Stewart asked.
"No. You have to say what you mean in the allotted time," the mayor responded. "This is the way it's always been done."
"That doesn't make it right," Stewart said.
Councilman Jack Via said procedures cannot be changed without good reason. And, added Town Manager John Lemley, council operations are backed by the town code.
Stewart had tried to protest when told the Harkrader Street matter was closed. It was still during the time for citizens to speak, but Mayor Linkous interrupted him: "You're out of order, sir!"