Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 27, 1993 TAG: 9301270113
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-13 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST CORESPONDENT
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
COUNCIL SAYS `TRY HARDER' ON CLEANUP
City Council has wanted an annual spring cleanup like Montgomery County's "Bloomin' and Broomin' " for quite a while. But the man charged with trying to get the ball rolling told council Monday he is running into a wall of apathy.Larry Amy of the city engineer's office said he invited 17 business, industry and civic group leaders to steering committee meetings earlier this month. Only six showed up for the first session, and three came to the second a week later.
Last week, Amy proposed to council a cleanup ". . . with a reduced scope from what was originally envisioned. . . ."
Council's response: Try harder.
"I do not believe that we can't really make this thing happen," Mayor Tom Starnes said. He suggested greater media involvement, challenging members of the business community to get involved. He also said he would like to see council do its part to set a good example.
"I'm willing to go out and pick up trash," he declared.
Starnes also said Amy should try to enlist civic clubs and Radford University to help set the cleanup agenda.
"I think we can get 300 people," he said. "I just don't think we should give up this early."
Amy said his most successful contact to date had been with School Superintendent Michael Wright. He said he had assurances from Wright that he would encourage voluntary participation within the schools.
In his memo, Amy said Montgomery County's program is successful because of a high level of community interest, something he hasn't seen in Radford yet.
Councilman Dave Worrell suggested that Amy might have better luck contacting prospective organizers in person, not by telephone.
"It's awful hard to say no when you're standing there staring 'em in the face," he said.
Councilman Bobby Nicholson finally got the discussion off the dime - and Amy off the hot seat - by getting his colleagues to agree to set aside April 17 as the big day. "We're losing time," he said.
Council also agreed with several of Amy's suggestions, including one to designate April as Environmental Awareness Month. In addition, council will cut special trash collection rates in half and promote cleanup projects on April 17 throughout the city.
At least for this year, the spring cleanup effort will not attempt what Amy called "a major undertaking," like picking up debris and trash along the New River off Bisset Park.
In other matters, council voted unanimously to grant a permit to the Radford University Emergency Medical Services group. The student organization would provide "first-responder" services for on-campus emergency calls. Students would render first aid until an ambulance arrived.
Council also approved a resolution to advertise for bids to lease a piece of city-owned property on the approach to Memorial bridge for use as a parking lot.
The parcel is adjacent to the ABC store and the former Family Dollar Store location. The original 30-year lease expired in 1984. King Corp. had requested extension of the old lease. Radford Community Hospital plans to renovate the variety store as a fitness and wellness center.
Council unanimously agreed to take no action on School Board Chairman John McPhail's request to approve up to an additional $1,000 a year in compensation for the chairman. School Board members, including McPhail, now get $100 for every month they serve.