Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 26, 1990 TAG: 9004270248
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-9 EDITION: NORTH
SOURCE: TAMMY POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FINCASTLE LENGTH: Medium
Eight seats, including the mayor's, are open and a husband and wife are among the nine seeking council seats. Several candidates, during interviews, said they think the town should remain just as it is, while others said Fincastle needs to grow to meet the needs of its citizens.
Mayor Meredith Waid announced earlier this year that she would not seek re-election for personal reasons. Councilman Jeff Bowles is not seeking re-election after completing one term. Those running for council and mayor are:
\ Cromer Hedrick, who has been on council three times, this time filling a vacancy that was created when Councilman Jim Connell moved out of town. Council members recently endorsed him as their choice for mayor.
"It seems to me that the town is showing more progress at this time, and I would like to see it progress, maybe at a gradual pace. I'd like to see it keep up with the county more or less," said Hedrick, who is retired.
\ Gray Bolton, who says she feels that her knowledge of the town and most of its residents are her strong points. "I'm beginning to age a little bit, but I'll never grow tired of being on council."
Bolton, who has been on council since 1976 and served a two-year term from 1970-72, said Fincastle is progressing. "I'm glad we're growing, but there are so many people who are not able to get around as I can. I feel that perhaps they need encouragement, and that they can talk to me."
\ Virginia Cronise, who has been on council for 12 years. For the past six years, she's also served as town clerk. "I'm so busy taking notes at the meeting that I don't have time to make many motions," she said.
She ran for council, she said, because she's interested in the town and has lived there all her life. "I'm most interested in preserving the flagstone sidewalks. We haven't got to do much about them yet."
\ R.D. Henderson, who has been on the Town Council for six years and said he thinks the water-sewer situation is biggest issue facing the town. "We [council members] have to try to keep the rates affordable to everybody."
Henderson, who works for a Roanoke wholesale hardware company, said he'd like to see more business in the town, "but I don't see how it can be done," adding that he doubts Fincastle has enough people or room to park.
\ John Shaw, who has been on council for two years and also is a volunteer fireman. Shaw, who works for a highway construction company, said he's most interested in the town's water system.
"I want to make sure the town doesn't have to pay for all these developments," he said. Shaw also said he is concerned with the lack of traffic enforcement in the town.
\ Malanie Jones has been on council for 14 years. "I may be run out of town for saying this, but I'd like to see the town grow."
Jones, a school cafeteria worker, said the town is dying, instead of progressing. "We used to have four grocery stores, a 5 and 10 store, and a movie theater. Now, we have to drive to Daleville to get groceries." Jones said she's concerned that there's nothing to keep the youth in the area and she'd like to do something about that.
\ Helen Morris, who several years ago ran for council because her husband, Abe, decided not to run. "We were coming up short, so I ran. I didn't even tell him [her husband] until he read it in the paper."
Morris said she is especially interested in the Big Spring improvement project, the impact a new nursing home will have, and the water and sewer situation.
\ Abe Morris, Helen's husband who has decided to seek public office again since he's retired. Morris said the nursing home is one of the biggest issues facing the town. "It will keep people from having to put their loved ones in a home far away." He also said new sidewalks in the town would be good.
\ Teresa "Terry" Tucker, wife of Fincastle's town attorney Paul Tucker, who said she's interested in keeping Fincastle the way it is.
Tucker said her marriage shouldn't represent a conflict of interest as long as she doesn't vote on issues affecting her husband's business with the town. Tucker, a secretary, said she has a pet peeve concerning traffic safety in Fincastle. "The way some people drive through town is dangerous. They speed through these streets."
\ Peggy Honeycutt Connell, who said she feels that people owe more to their community "than just taxes." Connell, a visual merchandiser for a department store, has lived in Fincastle for six years and said she loves the tranquility of the village, and her main interest lies in caring for the environment.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB