ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 25, 1996 TAG: 9601260037
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-7 EDITION: METRO
Vinton Haunted House program tops record
Vinton's Haunted House Christmas program had its best year ever in 1995, aiding 53 needy families and 144 disadvantaged children.
Police Chief Ricky Foutz said the program achieved its record year even though it was late starting because of difficulty finding a suitable site.
The program is operated by the Vinton Police Department with considerable help from businesses, civic groups and individuals.
Foutz said the program operated for only six nights, the shortest time in the three years since the program began.
A total of $16,378 was raised, the chief said, and $14,921 was spent to aid the needy families and children.
Leftover funds will go toward the 1996 program.
The program's previous best year was its first - 1993, when about $15,000 was raised in eight nights.
The Haunted House is open during the Halloween season, and funds are raised through an admission charge. This year between 5,500 and 6,000 people visited the house, Foutz said.
Vinton police try 12-hour shifts
The Vinton Police Department is experimenting with 12-hour work shifts for its patrolmen to increase efficiency and expose all police officers to a variety of duties.
Police Chief Ricky Foutz said several communities in Virginia - including Martinsville and Staunton - and North Carolina have been on 12-hour shifts without undue problems.
In the new program, Foutz said, officers work 12-hour shifts for four days and then are off for four straight days. They will rotate between day and night shifts after each four-day period.
The new schedule began Jan. 18. Foutz said he plans to try it for about six months.
He said the 12-hour schedule has been well-received by police officers in most of the other cities that are using it.
Vinton Begins Study of '96-97 budget
Vinton has begun work building a town budget for the 1996-97 fiscal year. Town Manager Clay Goodman said that if everything goes according to schedule, a budget will be presented to Town Council on June 4.
Before that, however, considerable data must be compiled and evaluated, he said.
In addition, two public hearings must be held to get input from residents about how they want their tax money to be spent.
The first public hearing will be March 5, when Town Council will consider setting real estate and personal property tax rates for the new year.
The second hearing will be May 21, when a proposed budget will be presented to council.
In between those two dates, the town's administrative personnel and Town Council will hold several work sessions to put the budget into shape.
Vinton's current budget is $5.7 million.
LENGTH: Medium: 60 linesby CNB