Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 25, 1990 TAG: 9004250757
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
He had more pressing matters on his mind then - such as starting a business and a family.
But less than two decades after moving to Roanoke, he hopes to win a seat on City Council in the May 1 election.
White, who grew up in Arkansas, said he became involved in politics because "Roanoke has been good to me, and I would like to return something to the community."
White has been busy since he arrived here. He is a partner in an accounting firm with 15 employees and offices in Roanoke and Richmond. He has been a School Board member for five years.
He has served on several other city boards and commissions and has been active in civic and community organizations. He and his wife, Joyce, a former Roanoke schoolteacher, have two children.
White, 43, is running on the Democratic ticket with Councilman Howard Musser and former Councilman James Harvey. The three Democrats are contesting three open seats, along with businessman Roland "Spanky" Macher, a Republican; Councilman James Trout, an independent; and the Rev. Cecil McClanahan, an independent.
It is White's first try for elected office, but he said he has been preparing himself for a council seat over the past decade. He has served on the city Economic Development Commission, the city Industrial Revenue Bond Authority and the Virginia Health Services Cost Review Commission.
White thinks his background as a School Board member would be valuable on council because the school budget accounts for more than 40 percent of the overall city budget. Of the candidates and current council members, only White has served on the School Board.
He also said his business experience as a partner in an accounting firm would be helpful on council because, "I know what it's like to meet a payroll and to run a business."
If elected, White said he will support the appointment of independent-minded people to the School Board.
The Democratic candidates have criticized council's decision over the past two years to replace Don Bartol and LaVerne Dillon on the School Board because, they said, the two did not always agree with Superintendent Frank Tota.
In door-to-door campaigning, White said said he has heard many complaints by taxpayers about rising real estate assessments and council's refusal to reduce the tax rate in recent years.
"I've found that a lot of people are concerned - and they think a 2-cent cut in the real estate tax rate would make a difference for them," he said. "They feel that council is not listening to them."
White thinks the city could reduce the tax rate of $1.25 per $100 of assessed valuation without reducing services. "The idea that city services would have to be curtailed if the tax rate is cut by 2 cents is salami," he said.
White supports a strong economic development program to provide more jobs for young people.
"We must reach out and involve the young people in government. We must provide quality jobs for them and a wholesome social environment in which they can mature and develop into the leaders of the future," he said.
Running on the Democratic ticket has been beneficial for him, but there are drawbacks, White said.
He said it has helped in financing and organizing his campaign because the three candidates can jointly finance billboards, advertisements, brochures and other campaign expenses. He said it has also enabled him to develop a working relationship with others whom he would have to work with on council if the Democrats win.
But he thinks it is harder for him to attract attention at campaign forums sometimes because his running mates are well-known current and former councilmen.
The Democratic candidates say they will not necessarily vote alike on all issues, but they share the same political philosophy so they can work together if they are elected.
"Each of us is pretty independent, but we are compatible enough so we can resolve issues for the benefit of the city," White said.
IN PROFILE
WILLIAM "BILL" WHITE, SR.
Party: Democrat
Age: 43
Profession: Partner in Saunders & White Certified Public Accountants.
Education and background: Bachelor's degree in business administration, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Served on Roanoke School Board since 1984. Former member, city Economic Development Commission and city Industrial Development Authority. Member of Northwest Revitalization Corp.
Issues: Says his School Board experience will be valuable on council because schools account for more than 40 percent of the city budget.
Quote: "We must be willing to reach out and provide a helping hand to the homeless, the needy and others who cannot help themselves. We must involve the business leadership of our city in government. . . . We must reach out and involve the young people in government. We must provide quality jobs for them, . . . and we must provide quality education for all of our young people."
Memo: This is the last in aseries of profiles of Roanoke City Council