Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408300063
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
WYTHEVILLE - The Wythe County Board of Supervisors will try two ways to solve problems stemming from a Rural Retreat cemetery owner not fulfilling contracts.
The owner, Ray Magallenes, is now a fugitive. People with relatives buried in Sunset Memory Gardens are concerned about upkeep and others, with unfulfilled contracts for mausoleums, are unsure how to proceed.
The county has hired Lee Chitwood as a special attorney to represent county interests in the controversy. Last week, the supervisors directed Chitwood to seek a chancery sale of the cemetery and, at the same time, look into bankruptcy proceedings against the owner.
"The sale is only the first step. That doesn't get you control of the trust fund," Chitwood told the board.
Supervisor Olin Armentrout suggested that people with concerns about the cemetery form an association and bid on buying it. But Chitwood said they would have to be aware of requirements for operating a cemetery, which are pretty strict.
Elementary needs
WYTHEVILLE - Now that the Wythe County School Board has completed building projects at all three high schools, it is looking into renovation and construction needs at its elementary schools.
Max Meadows Elementary has buildings constructed in 1952 and 1969. It needs more classroom space, parking lot improvements and window replacements.
Classrooms are also needed at Sheffey Elementary, where existing structures were built in 1952 and 1974. If current enrollment trends there continue, a new room will be needed in the 1995-96 school year and another the following year.
Austinville Elementary, which is 43 years old, also needs classroom space and cafeteria expansion. Its wiring is inadequate and some windows need replacing.
Jackson Memorial, built in 1935, needs classroom and office space, new windows and overall remodeling.
Spiller Elementary in Wytheville, built in 1958 and 1969, is overcrowded and needs more parking space. The building being used as an annex, built in 1927, needs overall remodeling.
Rural Retreat Elementary needs classrooms, a larger cafeteria.
Speedwell Elementary needs a roof and foundation work.
Out of the red
DUBLIN - The Town of Dublin has moved financially from red ink to black.
As of mid-1990, the town was $134,716 in debt, according to figures presented to Town Council by Town Manager Gary Elander this month. As of last June, its revenue exceeded expenses by $234,207.
Elander said moving out of the negative balance category had been a priority of the town administration in the past four years.
Disaster education
WYTHEVILLE - The Wythe County Local Emergency Planning Committee will work with the county School Board to educate elementary pupils on handling disasters.
Pupils will view a videotape on what to do and where to go in case of a hurricane, flood, tornado or other disaster. Different committee members will be teaching the class around the county.
The committee is composed of 24 people from various agencies. Wytheville Public Safety Director Albert Newberry is chairman.
by CNB