Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 18, 1995 TAG: 9511200029
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE LENGTH: Medium
It's had some time to sink in, but talk in Wythe County is still about the new consensus on whether a prison should be built in this rural area: no way.
On Thursday, the Wythe County Board of Supervisors reversed its support for a prison. The vote came after an election in which two members who had backed a prison were defeated.
The board had voted 4-3 in February to endorse Corrections Corporation of America's plan to build a private medium-security prison for 1,500 Virginia inmates just outside Wytheville.
Immediately, residents started to fight against the plan.
In September, CCA, based in Nashville, Tenn., lost out on its bid to build a prison in Wythe County.
A site outside of Wytheville still is being considered for a 1,000 -bed, minimum-security prison.
But the board's latest resolution already has been faxed to the governor, who has promised to give weight to the opinions of county officials when finding a spot for the prison.
"We feel much more confident than we had in the past," said Charles Crockett, a retired Wythe County man who's spent the past year fighting the prison. "There's been a lot of concern. Now, a lot of people are extremely happy."
Last February's decision "never should have taken place," Crockett said.
He was in the packed supervisors' chambers Thursday to watch the new vote.
"The chairman asked that we hold back on any applause," Crockett said. "He knew there would be some.
"Six-one, that's a pretty strong message.''
Only Olin Armentrout, who was defeated last week and will step down from the board in January, continued to support the prison. James D. ``Jack'' Crosswell resigned the day after he lost the election to Harvey Atkinson, a prison opponent. The board appointed Atkinson to Crosswell's seat shortly before Thursday's vote.
Prison supporters mainly have talked in terms of jobs, while opponents have cited concerns ranging from a prison's effect on the county's reputation to a possible strain on social service agencies.
by CNB