Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 25, 1993 TAG: 9308250268
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Chairman Fuzzy Minnix said he considered the complaint a personnel matter, which the board would discuss next month behind closed doors with Hodge, who is on vacation.
"I certainly want to hear Mr. Hodge's side of the story," Minnix said.
At least one board member has gone on record saying he puts little stock in the complaint voiced by David Sligh.
Sligh accused Hodge of resorting to intimidation tactics after Sligh's letter criticizing the county's enforcement of its own ordinances was published in the Roanoke Times & World-News in July.
Sligh complained that Hodge sent copies of rebuttal letters to and arranged a meeting with Sligh's boss at the state Department of Environmental Quality.
Sligh said his comments about the county had nothing to do with his job and that Hodge was trying to take away his right to speak out as a taxpayer and citizen.
"He was trying to shut me up," Sligh said. "I wonder if Mr. Hodge has used this tactic before. Am I just the latest name on his enemies list?"
Hodge, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday, has said that Sligh's employment was relevant because he has access to certain information as a state employee.
Untrue, Sligh said, claiming that he obtained information about the county's zoning documents and erosion problems at the Smith Gap Landfill through the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, which any citizen can use.
"What he doesn't like is that I am raising issues that he would rather not discuss in public," Sligh said.
by CNB