Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 16, 1990 TAG: 9003162364
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Ray Chisholm and Frank Teske were among nine candidates for Blacksburg and Christiansburg town councils who addressed the New River Valley Homebuilders Association dinner meeting.
It was the first campaign appearance of the council candidates for the May 1 election.
"Somehow, Blacksburg has got to make it easier for you people to do business in Blacksburg," Teske told the roughly 70 people.
Chisholm, a Planning Commission member and small business owner, said. "One of the problems I see is that site plans are taking longer to get approval than it takes to build the building."
The two are challenging Joyce Lewis, Al Leighton and Lewis Barnett. Mayor Roger Hedgepeth is running unopposed in a separate race.
The Blacksburg incumbents said they favored a stronger push for economic development in the New River Valley while controlling growth.
Lewis said Blacksburg development regulations "maintain our community's uniqueness" and ought not to stifle growth.
Barnett said protecting the environment and the integrity of established neighborhoods must accompany growth "so that Blacksburg remains a special place."
"Blacksburg is not against growth," Hedgepeth said.
The Blacksburg incumbents noted that the town's industrial park is full, that the town will soon break ground for a shell building and has several major road projects under way.
"These road projects are going to be of benefit to developers because development takes place along these roads," Leighton said.
Christiansburg council members Jack Via, Ray Lester and Ann Carter, as well as Mayor Harold Linkous, are running unopposed. Carter was not present Thursday night.
The Christiansburg candidates said their town promotes growth by providing water and sewer services.
"Christiansburg is interested in any new building," Linkous said.
Via said the council follows a policy of steady growth with limited taxation.
Most of the nine candidates, asked whether they would favor real estate taxes versus impact fees, said they would favor some combination of the two. Impact fees are given by developers to the locality to pay for roads, schools, police and fire protection and other services to meet the increased demand from the development.
by CNB