The Washington times., 1936-02-14
BLUNT PLAN
SUBMITTED TO
LEGISLATURE

one governmental units to conduct
the business Of the existing 100
county governments is urged by
the Virginia Commission on county
government in report submitted
to the, General Assembly.
Arlington county, which is con-
Sidered more of an urban than a
rural area, is not brought into the
governmental consolidation plan.
The report, made after years Of
study since formation Of the COM
mission during the regime Of for
mer Governor Pollard, has fol-
lowed closely the suggestions
made two years ago by The
washington Times in a series Of
articles pointing out the waste OF
the existing governments and the
economies which could be effected
by consolidation.
County Lines to Stay
Arlington county already has
the county manager form Of gov
eminent but that is not the
reason that community was left
out of the consolidation plan. TWO
other counties now are operating
under the manager and executive
types and the lessons learned in
them could be applied in forming
the governments under the pro-
posed consultations.
County lines, with all their
historical value and tradition, will
remain under the plan, which
contemplates only the consolida-
ton of governmental functions
one sheriff, one commemorative
attorney, one collector Of revenue
and on through the list of county
officers.
Thus, the historical associations
which mean so much to Virgin1ans
will be maintained and at the
same time economics can be
effected in the cost Of govern
ment.
Virginia taxpayers now are pay. |
ing approximately 100000 q
year to maintain their present
county governments. The commits
sion, a conservative body, believes
an initial saving Of $4,000, 900
would result from nSolidation,
the commission report said:
"'NO worthy citizen would de-
stroy or impair in any degree
the historical and sentimental
heritage which has grown up in
and which will forever remain
inseparable from the names. Of
many of the present counties Of
Virginia. This heritage should
and win be preserved.
"The problem Of county con-
sOlidation need not disturb it.
"The present counties with
their names would be retained
as historical and political di-
visions, and upon them would
be superimpOsed the larger
units which would take over the
governmental functions Of the
present counties"
BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
The proposed consultations are
based on area, population, taxable
wealth, topography and the eco
nomic interests of the counties in
volved. The 81 proposed consoli-
dations are:
Pulaski, Montgomery and Roa-
noke counties.
Chesterfield, Amelia and Pow
haitian counties.
Albemarle, Green and Nelson
counties.
Scott, Lee and Wise counties.
Lunenburg, Mecklenburg. Bruins
wick and Greensville counties.
Amherst, Bedford, Campbell
and Appomattox counties.
Floyd, Carroll and Grayson
counties.
Essex, King and Queen, King
William, Middlesex. Matthews and
Gloucester counties.
Fauquier, Prince William and
Stafford counties.
Bland, Giles and Craig counties.
washington, Smyth and Wythe
counties.
Russell and Tazewell counties.
Rockbridge and Botetourt coun-
ties.
Sussex, Southampton, Isle Of
Wight and Surry counties,
Buckingham, Cumbe erlan d,
Prince Edward and Charlotte
counties
Rockingham and Augusta coun-
ties.
Elizabeth City, James City,
Warwick and York counties.
Accomac and Northampton
counties. i.
spotsylvania and Caroline
counties.
Dickinson and Buchanan coun-
ties.
Loudoun and Fairfax counties.
Allegheny. Bath and Highland
counties.
Nottoway, Dinwiddie and Prince
George counties.
Henrico, New Kent, Charles
City and Hanover counties.
Rappahannock, Madison, Cul.
peper and ORANGE counties.
King George, Westmoreland.
northumberland, Richmond and
Lancaster counties.