
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 7, 1990                   TAG: 9003071690
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: joel Turner municipal writer
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

MACHER FIGHTS ODDS IN RACE

It will be one Republican against three Democrats in the Roanoke City Council election in May, but Roland Macher said that will just make him work harder to win a council seat.

"I like those kind of odds - 3-1 - because I am a fighter," Macher told about 50 Republicans Tuesday night. "I will need your help and support, but I kind of like being one against three."

He was the only candidate nominated by the GOP to oppose the Democratic ticket of Councilman Howard Musser, School Board member William White and James Harvey, a former councilman.

Macher said the Democrats will outnumber him, but he intends to run an aggressive campaign to win the council seat that is being vacated by Councilman Robert Garland, a Republican.

He said this year's election could be crucial for the city and the Republicans. If the GOP loses Garland's seat, the Democrats will have a 5-2 majority on council. If that happens, Macher said, the Democrats might win all seven seats in the next two to four years.

Macher, a 37-year-old businessman who owns a chain of restaurants, an antiques mall and rental property, said he favors consolidation, more emphasis on education and efforts to boost tourism.

There also will be two independents in the May 1 election, making a total of six candidates for the three seats.

After announcing his retirement earlier, Democratis Councilman James Trout filed a petition to run as an independent.

The Rev. Cecil McClanahan, pastor of the Wings of Faith Church, also filed a petition to run as an independent.

by CNB