his existing building by a few two-byfours nailed up

his existing building by a few two-byfours nailed up over a walk-way.

Permits in all three cases might have been granted anyway but responsibility for the errors would have been clearer.

Most recently, Rappahannock’s Commissioner of Revenue has added her voice to those suggesting that a sketch be made a part of any permit application. The zoning administrator, as an employee of the county supervisors, must follow orders from the board. We’d like to see the supervisors formally order that the sketch be required. It’s a “no cost” proposal, the kind this county seems to find easiest to implement.

Our second suggestion involves money but what the county may spend in salaries can be saved in legal fees.

When the zoning office opened on November 18, it was for the first time in 21 days and with two Tuesday holidays in November, the office will be open for only two days total this month. Considering the land use questions and growth pressures the county faces, we’ve reached the time where we need more than a one-day-a-week zoning office.

At the same time, we’re not to the point where we require a full-time zoning administrator. But we have other slots to fill too—those of building inspector and county engineer—so why can’t the four positions be combined into one 40 hour per week job? The added beauty of this approach is that it would put an end to buck passing. What could the building inspector say? “It’s not my fault today because ' yesterday when I was sonjing administrator I didn’t do something I was supposed to do? ”

Combining the three positions will effectively give the county three fulltime employees for the price of one, increase the chances of avoiding costly law suits through better administration of local ordinances and improve the availability of services to R a ppahannocl^tax payers.