Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 8, 1992 TAG: 9202080142
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
BOARD REMAINS DIVIDED ON STADIUM-SEAT OFFER
School Board member Betty Plott accused her colleagues of "looking a gift horse in the mouth" when two separate motions to accept new seating for Bobcat Stadium failed Thursday for lack of seconds.At issue was a citizen group's renewed offer to install aluminum seats by summer on the home-team side. It's not the first time the plan has generated controversy among board members. With Chairman John McPhail and member George Ducker absent, the rest of the panel couldn't reach a consensus.
A letter to the board from Fred McCoy, the citizen group's chairman, said the group has more than $12,000 in cash and $2,000 in pledges for the project.
McCoy's letter asked the board to approve installing all the seats by summer if the group collects enough money, or installing only some if funds come up short.
Superintendent Michael Wright said an estimate last year put the cost at about $25,000, with visitors' seating an additional $12,000.
Board member Carter Effler proposed that no seating be installed until the entire stadium could be done. "Once you do the home side, who's going to donate a dime to do the visitors' side?" Effler asked. He also was concerned that the project might never be completed, leaving the board "holding the bag."
But board member Chip Craig, who seconded and then withdrew his second of Effler's motion, proposed letting the group go ahead with plans to complete home-side seats by summer. No one seconded Craig's motion.
"I find no problem with the stadium as it is now," said Effler, adding that he'd like to see the group spend its money on more pressing needs. He also said it would "look bad" to have new seats on just the home side and not on the smaller visitors' side.
"I agree with you two-thirds of the way," Craig told his colleague.
Vice Chairman Guy Gentry, filling in for McPhail, suggested putting the item on the next meeting's agenda, Feb. 20. McPhail "has some strong feelings on this, and so does Rev. Ducker," he said.
In other matters, the board accepted "with regret" the resignation of Sally Neel, who has directed Radford High's practical-nursing program for more than two decades. Neel will retire when the school year ends. "It's a tremendous loss," Principal Buddy Martin said after the meeting.