SUPERVISOR RIPPED FOR DRUG REMARKS

Westmoreland Supervisor Comes Under Fire For Implying That Teachers,
Deputies Are Using Drugs

Education and police leaders in Westmoreland County have sharply
criticized 2nd District Supervisor Felix B. Redmond for implying
drug use by county teachers and deputies.

The Westmoreland News of Sept. 26 quoted Redmond saying, "Let's make
sure the sheriff's department is clean of drugs."

According to the newspaper, Redmond also said:

"And let's look at the schools. Let's face it, we have many young
teachers. I believe teachers need random drug checks, too. How can
we get our classrooms clean if the teachers are not clean?"

Redmond's comments had "damaging effects" on the school system,
Superintendent A. Elaine Fogliani said at yesterday's meeting of the
county Board of Supervisors.

"There is no factual evidence to suggest that any teacher or other
school personnel is using drugs. When we make statements, let's make
sure they're based on fact, not just opinion," she said.

Redmond's statements "publicly degraded the Westmoreland County
Sheriff's Department," said sheriff's Lt. William B. England.

"What hurts me most was my 13-year-old son came home from school and
wanted to know are we on drugs," England said.

Redmond "needs to apologize to the deputies and teachers," said
England. "He needs to write a letter to every student in this county
apologizing for his statements."

England said Redmond's comments were "politically motivated." In the
same interview, Redmond endorsed his friend Daniel S. Painter, one
of five sheriff candidates seeking election Nov. 6.

Sheriff's Capt. Bryon Wilkins is another candidate for sheriff.
Wilkins' voice quivered when he said to Redmond, "You want to drug
test somebody? Start with me."

Redmond, a Democrat opposed by Republican Russell E. Culver, made no comments.

The supervisors yesterday also canceled a contract with LifeCare
Medical Transports Inc., which has provided daytime emergency
services to the county for almost three years.

County Administrator Norm Risavi said LifeCare wanted $480,000 to
furnish three ambulances and crews for a year. Risavi said the
county could save nearly $36,000 a year by hiring its own emergency
crews to supplement local rescue squads.

In other business, the supervisors:

Expanded the area of a redevelopment project at Monroe Hall to allow
improvements to additional houses.

Endorsed an effort to replace the 50-year-old State Route 3 bridge
across the Rappahannock River at White Stone. Traffic on the bridge,
which has the same design as a bridge that collapsed Aug. 1 in
Minnesota, is now limited to cars.