ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, September 6, 1996 TAG: 9609060036
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY
The star on Mill Mountain was red, white and blue through the summer in recognition of Roanoke's All-America City award. Now, it's about to be put to a far more sobering use.
To raise public awareness of the dangers of drunken or drugged driving, the city will turn the star red for one night after each drug- or alcohol-related traffic fatality in the New Century region, which includes the Roanoke Valley, the New River Valley, Wythe County and the Alleghany Highlands.
Organized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the New Century Council, the effort is called "Keep the Star White." The two organizations held a news conference Thursday on Mill Mountain to announce the program.
The campaign grew out of suggestions from more than 1,000 people during the New Century Council's visioning process, said Brenda Altman, state chairwoman of MADD Virginia and a member of the New Century Health and Safety Committee. The goal is to "keep the star white" by having zero alcohol-or drug-related traffic deaths.
Because the star stands in a city park, the New Century Council and MADD lobbied Roanoke City Council to approve the concept during a hearing in June.
Council agreed to a 90-day trial period - Sept. 1 through Dec. 1 - during which the city will accept comments from the public.
Council members were a bit concerned that the public might be displeased at the sight of many red stars atop the mountain, a complaint that was voiced in the 1950s after a similar campaign was initiated.
LENGTH: Short : 35 linesby CNB