Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 10, 1994 TAG: 9401100044
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
One of Roanoke's best-known storekeepers, Lucy Saleeba, was playing Santa's helper as usual before Christmas - passing out presents and playing hostess at Saleeba's Grocery, 10th Street and Tazewell Avenue Southeast.
She's run it for 44 years. She's done so much for weary mail carriers and lonely, widowed neighbors, the General Assembly honored her in 1992.
But a heart attack knocked her flat three days before Christmas. Friends all over town waited nervously as doctors at Roanoke Memorial Hospital did a heart bypass.
The tiny, white-haired workaholic feels guilty lying in bed, but otherwise is fine. She got so much fruit, her daughter says she'll have to make applesauce or it'll go bad. And the get-well flowers and potted plants? It takes about an hour to water them all.
Repeat after me . . .
When George Allen is sworn in as governor Saturday, a distinctive Southwest Virginia drawl will reverberate across the state Capitol grounds.
It won't come from Allen, but from federal Judge Glen Williams of Abingdon, who will administer the oath of office.
Allen was a law clerk under Williams in 1977 and 1978, and Williams still has fond memories of his former boss.
Williams sees Allen's choice as a nod to Southwest Virginia. "I feel that by asking me to do this, he is sending a message to the people of Southwest Virginia that he is a part of us, and we are a part of him. I am a sentimental person, and I was deeply touched that he has remembered me in this way."
By the way, it's not unusual for a Virginia governor to be sworn in by someone other than the chief justice of the state Supreme Court. In 1978, John Dalton had the oath administered by his father, Ted Dalton, a federal judge and former gubernatorial candidate. Four years ago, retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell, a Richmond native, swore in Douglas Wilder.
Mobile witnesses
Cellular phone owners can help identify drunken drivers.
The *DUI Hotline, coordinated by Sprint Cellular, allows drivers to report a suspected drunken driver to Virginia State Police by dialing star-3-8-4 (that's *DUI), then hitting the "send" button. Drivers give the location, direction and description of the car to an operator, who alerts police.
Participating cellular companies include Contel Cellular, United States Cellular, Shenandoah Cellular, CFW Cellular, Blue Ridge Cellular and Cellular One.
The hot line, which is toll-free within the driver's service area, will be operating statewide in the coming months.
Local labor
Just in case the question arises, Roanoke Memorial Hospital is prepared.
More than 60 percent of the subcontracts on its new $55 million addition were awarded to Roanoke Valley companies.
In recent years, the issue of local subcontractors on big building projects has received a lot of attention.
Union leaders complained, for example, that most subcontractors and workers on the First Union Tower (formerly Dominion Tower) came from outside the valley. And they have expressed skepticism about the city's plan to involve local subcontractors, minority- and women-owned businesses in the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center project.
The hospital lists 62 local subcontractors on its project - from Abal Material Handling Inc. for lockers to Williams Painting and Remodeling for painting and wall covering.
In addition to the construction contracts, hospital administrators said, many equipment contracts were awarded to local and regional companies.
Superintendent search
Members of the committee searching for Roanoke County's new school superintendent have a lot of reading to do before Thursday.
The citizens' advisory committee met for three hours last week but was barely able to get through half of the 39 applications, committee Chairwoman Debbie McClure said.
McClure, who is president of the Roanoke County Education Association, said she and nine other county residents appointed by the School Board to review applications will meet again this week. They've been asked by School Board Chairman Frank Thomas to present a short list at Thursday's board meeting of the most qualified candidates.
Thomas said 25 people applied from within the state - including several from the county school system - and 14 from around the country.
School Board members also will review the applications to make sure they agree with the list presented by the committee, Thomas said.
The board must appoint someone by March 1 to replace retiring Superintendent Bayes Wilson, who ends 13 years on the job June 30.
High marks
Roanoke got a new school superintendent in 1993. And if there is any criticism of Wayne Harris after six months on the job, you won't hear it from the School Board or City Council.
When the board and council met recently to discuss ways for greater cooperation, everyone praised the new superintendent.
"I've heard nothing but good news about you," Mayor David Bowers told Harris.
That set the tone for more praise.
"No question, Wayne was by far the best choice for the job. We are indeed fortunate to have him," said James Turner, a board member.
"I'm so glad to hear some positive things about the schools," said Councilman James Harvey. "It's a different ballgame now."
Harris sat quietly through the compliments. Afterward, he said he had been humbled. But he said he wasn't going to lose his perspective over it.
Behind every good superintendent, he said, there is an excellent staff. And he credited his top staff with his smooth transition.
by CNB