ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 23, 1996 TAG: 9605230040
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
Town Council has rejected a request to waive the water and sewer connection fees for a house to be built for the children of Angie Knowles, who was slain two months ago.
The fees would amount to almost $1,000, town officials said.
Council voted down the waiver request Tuesday, saying the move would open the door to further requests and also might have been illegal.
"We feel it would be setting a precedent for the town to do this, and we're not sure it's even legal," said Councilman Scott Weaver.
"We're not opposed to what they're trying to do here, but there's a question in the ordinance on whether or not it is even legal to do this." said Councilman Eddie Lester.
The request came from Daniel Hamrick, a Christiansburg lawyer, who was not available for comment Wednesday.
Money is being raised to build a house for the children in Warren Heights. A fund has been set up with First National Bank for the four children: a college student, a high school senior, a ninth-grader and a seventh-grader.
Knowles' estranged husband has been charged in connection with the slaying.
Also Tuesday, council voted to spend about $900 for a New River Valley Welcome Center to be opened in a hotel or motel near Interstate 81's exit 118 (Roanoke Street). A previous welcome center, which featured brochures and information about the New River Valley, had been in a motel in Dublin, but was closed because it wasn't being used enough.
Christiansburg's portion of the cost is based upon its population. The valley's other localities also will foot part of the bill.
LENGTH: Short : 39 linesby CNB