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

DATE: THURSDAY, July 1, 1993                   TAG: 9307010268
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Short

COUNCIL PLANS MONTHLY MEETINGS WITH PUBLIC

Mayor Tom Starnes will set the pace for his council colleagues July 19 at the first of a series of monthly meetings with the public.

Council recently approved a plan to give residents a chance to meet with an individual council member each month to talk about problems and concerns. The first session will be held in council chambers from 5 until 7 p.m.

"We're not sure what the response will be, but we're going to give it a try," Starnes said. "If anybody's got a concern, they can come in and share it with a member of council."

Council plans subsequent sessions for the first Monday in each month. Starnes has suggested that council members take turns in alphabetical order.

Councilman David Worrell, who's been holding regular "neighborhood meetings" around the city since rejoining City Council last year, applauded the plan.

"Anything that gives the public more access to council is good," he said, adding that he has no plans to discontinue his neighborhood meetings.

He said some people "don't really feel comfortable coming to council chambers," and he believes the casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere of his own gatherings is more inviting.

by CNB