Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 26, 1990 TAG: 9004270110
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-3 EDITION: NORTH
SOURCE: Tammy Poole
DATELINE: BUCHANAN LENGTH: Medium
Mayor Stull Carson, who's completing his fourth term, said he hadn't intended to run again but changed his mind because "we're in the midst of this sewer treatment upgrading, and I don't feel like now is the time not to run."
Carson said the sewer treatment plant is the biggest issue that has faced the town in 20 years.
"The town has run out of options, and the state Water Control Board has us between a rock and a hard place."
Only Councilman Ralph Eubanks is not seeking re-election. Those seeking council seats are:
\ Larry McCraw, who has been on council for two years and said: "This is the perfect job for a retired person. There are many times when you have to attend a meeting during the day. It's hard to do this when you have a full-time job. By being retired, it's easier to find the time to do the job."
\ Lois Robert, who has served on the council for three terms and said her primary concern is the status quo of the town. She said she's also concerned about the amount of work a new council would face.
"After meeting with all the people, and the trips to Congress, what in the world would new people do?" Robert said keeping the current council would be the best.
\ Curtis Deacon, who has been on council for two years. Deacon, an insurance agent, is the only member of council who is not retired.
"I feel that we've worked hard getting everything going, and I'd like to see it continue to complete some of the things we've got rolling."
\ Lottie Burks, who is completing her third term on council. "I think one of the most important things we've got going is improving the sewer system. That's something I want to see happen. A lot needs to be done, and my first priority is to see that the sewer treatment plant is upgraded."
\ C.D. Barger, who could not be reached for comment.
\ The Rev. Marvin Williams, who is the only announced candidate for Eubanks' vacancy. Williams said he sees replacing the town's main water lines and lines for the sewer treatment plant as the biggest problem facing the town. "There's also the necessity of extending the water and sewer lines to include the new area that has been extended," he said.
Town Council needs to do something for the new recently annexed area as soon as possible since the residents will be paying tax money to the town, said Williams, who had served on the Sutton, W.Va., Town Council. "Maybe street lights, additional fire hydrants, and, of course, police protection."
He has served as pastor for the Buchanan Presbyterian Church and will retire in June from the Virginia Presbyterian Church.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB