There was passionate talk from city of Covington and Alleghany County leaders opposing plans for consolidation before the state Commission on Local Government.

The commission has had reports on the consolidation since January. As proposed it would expand Covington to the county limits and rename it Alleghany Highlands; and both the city and county think it's the wrong thing to do.

Inside the Alleghany County court house, there were hours of testimony over making Alleghany County, a city of more than four hundred fifty square miles.

The committee that came up with the plan spoke the most, saying consolidation just makes sense.

"The state really was interested in consolidation," said Joseph Carpenter, co-chair of the consolidation committee. "The state really was interested in reducing the number of localities. So we were going to find how interested they were in that."

But then came statements from leaders of the city of Covington and Alleghany County who say there are many unanswered questions-- that dissolving the Covington Police isn't a good move, and that revenue projections have moving numbers.

"It is our opinion that if [the committee's contracted accountant] were taking a high school math class today, the teacher would return his homework to him," said Covington mayor Robert Bennett. "And at the top of the page it would read in big bold letters, 'NICE ANSWERS BUT NO GRADE AT THIS TIME, DID NOT SHOW WORK.'"

Then came Alleghany Board of Supervisors chair Stephen Bennett, who spoke for more than a half hour, pointing out problems the county sees in the plan, but said the decision isn't up to him.

"One thing we all do agree on is that we trust the voters to decide what's in the best interest and for Alleghany County," he said.

It's expected those voters will get consolidation as a referendum in November-- the commission says it likely will say it can be on the ballot.

"Signs seem to point that they are eligible," said commission chairperson Wendy Wingo.

The commission will file a report to an appointed circuit court panel before the end of May. That panel will then decide if it can be on the ballot. They will look for two things; does the plan make financial sense and would the city be a solid standing member of the commonwealth.


Speaking out on consolidation in Alleghany County  (3/21/11)

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