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

DATE: THURSDAY, November 4, 1993                   TAG: 9311040033
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV12   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Kenneth Singletary Staff Writer
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                 LENGTH: Medium

CHRISTIANSBURG'S PURCHASE OF SITE IN THINKING STAGE

Town leaders are thinking about buying the Christiansburg Industrial Park, but thinking is as far as they have gotten on the matter so far.

In an executive session Tuesday night, Town Council members discussed the idea. It was the second such session devoted to the subject, and another might be scheduled for council's next meeting in two weeks.

"I've seen things talked about six times in executive session," Town Manager John Lemley said. He was reluctant to comment further.

The Montgomery Regional Economic Development Commission has recommended that either Montgomery County or the town buy the 90-acre park, assessed at $383,000. Near Interstate 81 and U.S. 460 and mostly within town limits, it is home to Ames Textile Corp., New Energy water-bed company and an Appalachian Power Co. service center.

The commission has said that the town should have the first chance to buy the property.

In other matters, council has set a second public hearing on the town's proposed comprehensive plan for Dec. 21.

At a previous hearing, few people showed up to hear a summary of the plan, which outlines the town's goals for the next 20 years.

Council also passed a resolution and ordinance allowing the town to monitor cable television rates.

In the wake of recent Federal Communication Commission regulations, cable rates have been in flux, and municipalities across the country have stepped in to try to exert local control.

But the issue is so complex that even few lawyers understand it completely, said Town Attorney William Craft. He recommended that the town pass the resolution and ordinance, and council followed his lead.

"All it does is give the locality the authority to enforce FCC regulations," Lemley said.

Why can't the FCC enforce their own regulations?

"There seems to be a feeling that the locality should be involved," Lemley said.

The town's 30-year franchise agreement with C&P Telephone Co. is up for renewal. C&P wanted another 30-year agreement, but the town offered a 10-year plan instead.

Telecommunication technology is changing so quickly that it would not be wise for the town to lock itself into such a long-term arrangement, Lemley has said.

C&P has agreed to the 10-year deal. The plan will be advertised for bids before it takes effect.

by CNB