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

DATE: SUNDAY, February 20, 1994                   TAG: 9402190011
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: F2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HUNDREDS NEEDED

WANTED: VOLUNTEERS for task forces, set up by the New Century Council, to come up with action plans for achieving the proposed "vision" for the Roanoke and New River valleys. It should be important work.

According to tentative plans, the task forces will form by April for each of seven council visions, and each team will have subcommittees as follows:

Economy: higher education and research centers; manufacturing; technology; distribution/transportation; tourism/conventions/retirement; small business/ entrepreneurship.

Education: early childhood development; K-12; adult education; training and retraining; distance learning.

Quality of life: arts, cultural and recreational activities; community; growth; people; housing.

Health and safety: safety; health care and wellness.

Infrastructure: infrastructure to provide a competitive advantage.

Governance: regional government cooperation; regional infrastructure network; regional financing mechanisms.

Leadership: New Century Region advocacy; leadership development; regional communication; continuity to assure the reality of vision.

The New Century Council's number, for those wanting to get involved, is 982-3720. Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr., the council's director, says more than 200 people already have volunteered to join task forces. Several hundred more would be better.

by CNB