Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 5, 1994 TAG: 9407050017
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Think Congress is goofy? Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, got into the Mickey Mouse business last week - or the flap over Disney's America, to be precise.
After a Texas congressman introduced a resolution opposing Disney's proposed new theme park in Northern Virginia, Goodlatte jumped into the fray.
He drafted a statement opposing federal interference and rounded up the other 12 members of Virginia's House and Senate delegations to sign it - just to make sure the Old Dominion's representatives in Washington were squarely on record.
"Congress should not become involved in land-use matters which are rightfully being considered and decided by the people of Virginia and the community through their elected state and local governments," Goodlatte's letter reads.
How did a congressman from Roanoke come to be the guy carrying the ball - or, in this case, the letter - on a Northern Virginia project?
Goodlatte says he just happened to be the first one to think of it. Oh, and he adds, he's also plugged into Gov. George Allen's administration - which welcomed any help it could find on Capitol Hill.
New accident policy
Starting Aug. 1, the state police will be spending less time at the scene of minor accidents. According to a new policy, troopers will not be required file reports on wrecks involving $1,000 or less in damages.
Sgt. R.Q. Martin of the Salem division of the state police said the policy is designed to limit the amount of time troopers spend at accident scenes and filing related paperwork. Martin said troopers will still respond to accident calls but will quickly move on to other assignments if no injuries, grounds for charges or substantial damages occur.
"We have plans to develop some type of form that troopers can give the parties involved in minor accidents so they can go ahead and trade information for insurance purposes themselves," he said.
The policy is a result of budget constraints and the need to free troopers for other law enforcement responsibilities, Martin said.
Take a bow, Bob
The Curtain Callers of Mill Mountain Theatre have named another recipient of their Summit Award, given in appreciation of outstanding contributions to the theater. The latest winner is Robert N. Fishburn, former editorial writer and editor of the Roanoke Times & World-News.
Fishburn, a Washington and Lee University graduate who studied Victorian literature at Columbia - and who worked with the stars during a three-year stint as a Navy meteorologist - joined the theater's board of directors in 1964 and has stayed involved ever since.
"The entire community has benefited from his genteel and very generous leadership," said Anne Hammersley, who announced his selection at the June 24 opening of the theater's current production, "Hello, Dolly!" She called him "a mainstay, a Rock of Gibraltar." The award will be presented Sept. 11 at a fund-raising gala for the theater.
No one travels alone
If you've been on the road this weekend, you probably noticed you weren't alone.
AAA of Virginia predicts 34.7 million people will spend time on the highways this holiday. Roads will receive their biggest load here in the southeastern United States: 7.5 million people.
That probably will mean lines at the gas station as well.
Not to worry, though. Fuel won't cost as much this year. In Virginia, regular unleaded will have an average price of $1.04 - down 3 cents from July 4, 1993.
School-board homecoming
Undoubtedly, it was the largest gathering ever of past and present members of the Roanoke County School Board.
Twenty former and current board members came to honor and praise\ Bayes Wilson, who retired June 30 after 38 years with county schools, including 14 as superintendent. At a reception for Wilson at his final board meeting, they shared memories of their years on the board and told funny stories about working with Wilson. It was like a reunion. Some hadn't seen each other for years.
And Wilson told some stories about his former bosses, too.
He recalled the first board meeting he attended, in 1957, soon after he was named business manager for the school system.
\ Arthur Trout, who was School Board chairman when Wilson was chosen as business manager, recalled Wilson's early years with county schools. Trout was on the board during the 1950s and '60s when the county's enrollment began to grow rapidly.
The former School Board members included Harry Nickens and Joe Thomas, who also served on the Board of Supervisors. Joe Thomas was the second generation of his family to serve on the board. Frank Thomas, the current chairman, is the third generation of Thomases to serve.
Frank Thomas said all of the present and former board members have a feeling of family.
"We have come through a lot and we have always strived for excellence in education," he said.
by CNB