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The Roanoke Star-Sentinel Community | News | Per spective
Apr. 30 - May 5, 2010
Keith McCurdy
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Roanoke Rebuilds a Little Bit At a Time
NewsRoanoke.com
Roanoke City Schools to Change Auditors
Going the Distance!
Top Priority P4– Keith McCurdy says that everything you do in life depends on one simple thing.
Go Vote! P6– Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. in Roanoke on Tuesday - read the candidates’ final answers in our Q&A Section.
Super Star P8– Former Roanoke Star player Parker Walsh has been named to the United States U20 National Team.
Open Studios P11– Several dozen local artists opened their doors last weekend for the “Open Studios Tour.” Gene Marrano has the scoop.
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Volunteers work on a porch in Northwest Roanoke. It is no secret that much of the housing stock in Roanoke City is getting older, and that there are some owners who can’t afford to do much-needed repair work. That’s where “Rebuilding Together” – formerly “Christmas in April” – comes in. Every spring, scores of volunteers come together in Roanoke to do repairs of up to $2500-3000, typically on several dozen houses. Owners of homes in need of repair can apply for help through local social service Community agencies, including LOA. Private funds are raised to support the annual project, which is part of a nationwide undertaking. Those selected after the qualification process open their homes to volunteer crews in April. The number of homes to be worked on depends on how much money is raised and typically includes such projects as roofing, repairing or building porches, painting, plumbing, and handicap ramps. Rebuilding Together board member Alan McClellan, also the operations director, stopped by a home in Northwest Roanoke
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> CONTINUED P2: Rebuilding
At this past Tuesday’s meeting of the School Board Audit Committee, the City Municipal Auditor Drew Harmon recommended that Brown Edwards & Co., LLC be selected as the schools’ new independent auditors. If the School Board concurs, they will replace KPMG for the 2010-2011 school year. Brown Edwards & Co., LLC has an office in Roanoke on McClanahan Street. Having a local presence weighed Local Govt. in their favor, and City auditor Dawn Mullins remarked that “they were easy to talk to.” Their successful bid came in at $30,000 for a single audit and $15,500 for school activity fund audits. This was less then KPMG had charged for the current year. Other clients of Brown Edwards & Co., LLC include the cities of Lynchburg, Salem, Bedford and Blacksburg. Harmon cautioned the committee to keep in mind that the schools’ audits need to be completed before the city audits. The city is still using KPMG and having separate, independent auditors may require some adjustment. Separately, Pete Ragone of KPMG briefed the committee on the 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Internal controls that are in need of improvement were identified. As a high-risk auditee, 50% of federal fund expenditures were
Photo by Les Hodges
Tim Sykes of Blacksburg gives God the Glory as he crosses the finish line as the winner of the inaugural Blue Ridge Marathon held in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Local runners crafted one of the most challenging and beautiful marathons in the country. The full marathon course included 3,076 feet of total elevation gain and 6,140 feet of total elevation change. The breathtaking views and stunning Blue Ridge Mountain scenery offered some reprieve to runners as they persevered to the finish line but only about half of those who started were able to complete the grueling course. Proceeds from the inaugural run will go to the non-profit, FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway. - See page 7 for full coverage.
> CONTINUED P2: Auditors
Blue Ridge Parkway Tree Planting Transplant Recipients Share Appreciation Brings Community Together As urban sprawl threatens the Blue Ridge Parkway’s 1,228 views, nearly 150 supporters of America’s most visited National Park Service site decided to do something about it. “FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway,” in conjunction with the Roanoke Kiwanis Club and other community-based organizations, recently spent three hours planting hardwood and pine seedlings on the parkway. When fully grown, the 500 trees will shield the view of homes currently visible from the parkway. The day began with volunPhoto by Park Ranger Shawn Rhodes teers arriving by bus at the site, registering, and sharing con- Josephine Eaton may be small, but she and her father, Robversation as they waited to be- ert, know the big value of planting trees. Three year-old gin. Bob Boeren, a supervisor Eaton joined more than 65 youth and 77 adult volunteers with the Virginia Department to plant trees on the Blue Ridge Parkway. of Forestry, was on hand to inYouth Volunteer In Parks prostruct the volunteers on how adding soil and water. “We’re all very blessed to gram, the FRIENDS of the Blue to plant the seedlings to ensure their survival. Once he was fin- have this ribbon-like park go- Ridge Parkway tried to involve ished, the volunteers went to ing through our land,” said Da- as many youth as they could vid Bowers, Mayor of Roanoke with the event. As Bowers exwork. and member of the plains, “It is not only a good Ranging in age Kiwanis club. He was thing to do, it is the responsibilfrom two months Environment impressed with the ity of all who enjoy the resource to 84 years old, the number of young to involve their youth. It’s imvolunteers all had a common interest – their love people on site at the planting, portant for us, as stewards, to for the Blue Ridge Parkway and observed, “The youth here show these (youth) how to care and its views. The sun shined will someday be able to drive the entire morning as the vol- this road and say, ‘I put a tree > CONTINUED unteers worked, gently placing there.’” In support of the Parkway’s P2: Tree Planting the seedlings into the holes and
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for Each “Extra” Day
Being a transplant recipient to receive the transplanted is no laughing matter. heart that has been beating in However, the opposite his chest for the past 13 years. would seem to be true when A dapper dresser who drives a observing a group of them at sporty little car, he points out a recent dinner gathering. The that although he is 86 years joy and laughter old, his heart is only being shared was 55. His new heart Organ Donors genuine and conhelped him care for tagious. There his wife of 54 years, were enough jokes and witty 53 days and 2 hours as she remarks flying around to make lived for four years after having everyone’s sides hurt with a stroke – an opportunity he is laughter. How can people who grateful to have had. have been through so much A former pilot, Cecil manlaugh so easily? Perhaps it is aged to attend a reunion of his because they, unlike most, are reserve fighter squadron -- on acutely aware of the fragility the way home from the hosof life. Often times they have pital after his transplant. Two been at death’s door and the in- years ago he traveled to Prague finite possibilities of a life well and Berlin. While his credenlived are always in their mind’s tials and sheer drive sound imeye. pressive, it is his kindness and Hearing their stories up close generosity that leave a lasting and personal is a life-changing impression. transaction. He explains, “I made a pact Prior to 1997, John Cecil, with myself never to do anya heart recipient, had a “best thing to dishonor what the friend.” His name was “George” original owner of this heart and he was an IV bag. George would have done. I have never and he were constant compan- cheated anyone or hurt anyone ions. At the age of 73, Cecil had intentionally; I treat others like already had two bypass surgeries and the time had come when he could hardly move > CONTINUED at all. He waited 27 months P3: Transplant
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