Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 24, 1990 TAG: 9004240691
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
When Trout first ran in 1968, his campaign brochure said he supported adequate money for schools, industrial development and the consolidation of Roanoke Valley governments.
This year, the two main themes in his re-election campaign are economic development and schools. And he still supports the consolidation of the city with Roanoke County.
Trout, 60, said he is running his record in economic development and support for schools.
He is one of six candidates running for three council seats on May 1. The others are Councilman Howard Musser, School Board member William White and former Councilman James Harvey, all Democrats; businessman Roland "Spanky" Macher, a Republican; and Cecil McClanahan, an independent.
Economic growth and education are linked because businesses and industries provide the tax revenue to help finance a good school system, and an educated work force is needed to attract new industries, he said.
Since becoming chairman of the city's Economic Development Commission in 1982, Trout has helped oversee the development of the Roanoke Centre for Industry and Technology and the creation of nearly 1,400 jobs in the 300-acre industrial park off U.S. 460. In addition, the city has developed two smaller industrial parks in recent years.
During the campaign, Trout has reminded voters that private and public projects costing more than $100 million in downtown and other areas in the city are expected to begin in the next two years.
He has also cited his work for neighborhood projects such as expansion and parking areas for Oakland and Highland Park schools, a gateway plaza for Old Southwest and a new fire station on U.S. 460.
Trout, a retired economic development specialist for Norfolk Southern Corp., said the slogan on his campaign billboards this year - "Working for You" - may sound corny. But he said it has been the guiding philosophy throughout his political career.
When Trout got into politics in the 1960s, he said then-City Manager Arthur Owens gave him some advice that has remained with him:
"He told me to stand - and to work - for things that are important, and to leave the complaints and criticism to others. I've tried to take that approach."
Trout said he wants to be remembered as "an idea man who got things implemented."
He began working on civic projects in the early 1960s before he became a councilman. He played a major role in the development of the Roanoke Transportation Museum, which later became the Virginia Museum of Transportation. He was an early chairman of the Transportation Museum Committee and served on development committees for the Mill Mountain Zoo and Wiley Drive.
Trout has been a council member for 16 of the past 22 years. He served from 1968 to 1976, when he lost a bid for mayor. In 1982, he made a comeback and has been on council the past eight years.
If he wins a new term next week, Trout could probably write a book on how to win an election even if the candidate violates the rules of conventional political wisdom. He threw away the script on starting a campaign.
First, he said early this year he would seek re-election but was delaying an announcement until he finished work on several city projects.
Trout, a Democrat, surprised political friends and foes alike by suddenly announcing in late February he would resign and would not seek a new term because he said he would have to take a reduction in his railroad pension when he reached 60 in April.
Three days after the Democrats nominated their candidates, Trout said he had learned he would not be eligible for a pension until he becomes 62. He said he would remain on council and would seek re-election as an independent.
Democrats in the past have criticized Trout for siding with Republicans on council. Some Democrats have charged that his misunderstanding about about his pension was a ploy to avoid the embarrassment of being denied his party's nomination for re-election. Trout has denied the charge.
Trout has angered some Democrats with his votes on several issues in recent years, particularly on the ouster of Don Bartol and LaVerne Dillon from the School Board.
But he has defended his loyalty to the Democratic party, citing his record in working in the campaigns of Democratic candidates for national, state and local officers for more than 30 years.
IN PROFILE
JAMES O. TROUT
Party: Independent (has run as Democrat in past)
Age: 60
Profession: Retired economic development specialist with Norfolk Southern.
Education and background: Roanoke native, graduate of Jefferson High School.
Civic: City Council 1968-1976, 1982-present, vice mayor 1968-1972. Chairman of city Economic Development Commission.
Issues: Running on his record in economic development and support for schools. As chairman of the Economic Development Commission, Trout says he has worked to develop Roanoke Centre for Industry and Technology. The city has also developed three smaller industrial parks.
Quote: "I want to be remembered as an idea man who got things implemented. I have worked for projects to improve the city - to help the city reach its potential. I will leave the complaints and criticism to others."
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Memo: This is the fifth of a series of profiles of Roanoke City Council