Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 6, 1993 TAG: 9310060024
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER staff writer
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
Draper Aden Associates was one of four firms bidding for the job, and was chosen by the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors at its community meeting at Dublin Middle School Monday night.
The job will cost $17,000 to $19,000, and the recommendations are to be made by Nov. 15 so the supervisors will have two weeks to decide whether to participate in a regional jail.
The board will have to make that decision at its Nov. 22 meeting, because the other localities must know whether Pulaski County is in or out in order to get their study done in time for the next state funding cycle.
The state now pays half the costs of building regional jails. That share will probably be reduced in the future, so waiting for the next funding cycle two years later would cost the region money.
Thompson & Litton Inc. of Wise, which is doing the regional study required by the state for such projects, was one of the firms interested in doing the Pulaski County study but at least one supervisor thought that might be a conflict of interest.
"Should another A/E [architectural and engineering] firm be retained by Pulaski County, please be assured that we will respect and understand that decision," said William W. King of Thompson & Litton. "Also, Pulaski County will have our commitment to cooperate in whatever capacity is necessary to facilitate your work."
In other business, the board named named County Administrator Joseph Morgan and board Chairman Jerry White as its representatives to the New Century Council. The council was set up to create a strategic economic vision for the Roanoke and New River Valleys.
New River Community College President Ed Barnes has also accepted an appointment representing Pulaskians Encouraging Progress, and Pulaski Mayor Gary Hancock has been asked to be a member.
A total of 125 community leaders including those from Pulaski County are scheduled for a retreat Oct. 12 at Mountain Lake Hotel in Giles County. But White has already served notice that a schedule conflict will prevent his attendance.
The fourth on-the-road meeting of the supervisors Monday night at Dublin Middle School did not draw the usual crowd.
About 15 people attended, considerably down from the rooms filled by community residents when the board held meetings in previous months at Fairlawn, Snowville and Newbern.
It was an experiment to bring county government closer to residents living outside the county seat in Pulaski, where the board holds its regular meetings on the fourth Monday of each month.
The board also voted to shift the observance of Halloween from Oct. 31, the Sunday on which it would fall, to Oct. 30 in an attempt to avoid young children being up late playing trick-or-treat on a night before school.
The towns of Dublin and Pulaski are expected to take the same action when their councils meet. All three governing bodies unofficially agreed to the switch at their quarterly joint meeting, hosted by Dublin, at Claytor Lake State Park last week.
The towns are sponsoring alternate Halloween celebrations for youngsters, including a parade in Dublin and a "treat trail" with participation by town merchants in Pulaski.
"That'll all be happening on Saturday, and provides a good and safe alternative to children, particularly younger children, being out Saturday night," Morgan said.
by CNB