ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, January 15, 1996 TAG: 9601150087
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Friday that Bolles was dismissed because he opposed Allen's proposal to merge the VEC into a new Department of Business Assistance.
Allen named Thomas J. Towberman, who had been VEC deputy director, as acting director. Towberman previously was executive director of the Governor's Commission on Government Reform.
The VEC is the state's unemployment insurance and job placement agency. Allen wants to merge several agencies into a new Department of Business Assistance to handle economic development programs for the state.
The Times-Dispatch cited unidentified sources as saying that Carol Brunty, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services, had been asked to resign. Allen spokesman Ken Stroupe said she gave no reason why she stepped down.
Corinne Gott, superintendent of the Roanoke Department of Social Services, said she and Brunty discussed department business as recently as Wednesday.
"There was no indication that she was not going to be there," Gott said. "The next day, I hear that she's gone."
Brunty, reached Friday at her home in Richmond, declined to comment.
Gott said she has known Brunty for years. Gott served on an interview panel that recommended Brunty be hired to head the state's regional social services office in Abingdon. Brunty held that position until Allen appointed her acting director of the Department of Social Services, then full department director, in 1994.
Brunty was very knowledgable about the department's function, Gott said. Brunty was concerned about the department "being able to do the job it was assigned to do," Gott said.
"She was a conservative, a Republican who appeared to be loyal," Gott said. Though her ideas may have differed occasionally from the administration's, "she did want the system to work," Gott said.
Allen named Clarence H. Carter of Henrico County, executive director of the Governor's Employment and Training Department, as acting social services commissioner. He will continue to serve in the other position.
Stroupe said the personnel changes did not reflect any turmoil in the administration.
``It's not at all unusual in the midpoint of an administration for people to seek other opportunities,'' he said.
Allen also announced the resignation of H. Kirby Burch, the state Conservation and Recreation director who gained notoriety when he shot and killed two wild pigs during a gathering of state officials last year. Allen said Burch had requested reassignment.
Allen announced the appointment of Anne P. Petera of Hanover as commissioner of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. An associate real estate broker, Petera is the 1st District Republican Party chairwoman.
She replaces Frederick T. Dykes, who resigned recently after reports that he approached a liquor industry representative about a possible business venture after leaving office.
Allen also named William P. Dickinson Jr. of Hanover County as acting director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. He replaces David L. Caprara, who resigned last week to consider a run for Congress from the 1st District.
Dickinson has been assistant commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services since May 1994.
Staff writer Leslie Taylor contributed information to this story.
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