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

DATE: TUESDAY, November 2, 1993                   TAG: 9311020174
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

OFFICIALS SAY AD AGAINST MONTGOMERY BOND ISSUES ILLEGAL

A newspaper political ad urging Montgomery County citizens to vote against two bond issues broke the law because the group responsible wasn't registered with the state Board of Elections.

"It's an obvious violation," said Phil Keith, Montgomery County's commonwealth attorney.

Voters will decide today whether to support a $1.9 million bond issue for the renovation of the Blacksburg branch of the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library and $2.9 million bond issue for a new Health and Human services building.

The ad, which ran in Sunday's New River Current, blasted the bond issues as wasteful spending by Montgomery County. It was the first organized opposition to this year's bonds.

"The board and county administrator are not in step with the times," the ad read. "We must drill it in; it's the economy stupid."

It said the ad was paid for "By Concerned Citizens of Montgomery County."

That wasn't enough identification, said Michael Brown, secretary of the State Board of Elections.

The law requires political action groups to register with the Board of Elections and include their registration number on any political ads.

If the group is not registered, then the name and address of the individual placing the ad must be included. In this case, neither was done.

Bill Aldridge, a member of the group who placed the ad, said he wasn't aware such disclosures were required.

"I don't see where it's anyone's business who placed the ad," he said. "We didn't want any names involved." He also didn't wish to be named in this news story.

Aldridge said he wasn't sure exactly how many citizens chipped in to pay for the ad, which cost $569.

Keith, who got one call complaining about the ad, said the group - not the newspaper - is responsible for complying with the regulations.

The violation is a civil penalty that's punishable by a fine not to exceed $50.

Three bond issues in 1990 were voted down by county voters, after considerable oppsoition from the Montgomery County Taxpayers Association.

by CNB