Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 30, 1990 TAG: 9005300557
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A/1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: MARGIE FISHER RICHMOND BUREAU
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Wilder denied that his action was a rebuke of Terry, who has tried to position herself as a leader in the state's fight against substance abuse.
Although Terry was appointed to head the council by former Gov. Gerald Baliles, Wilder said the statute calls for the chairman to be selected from the general public. While he said he was not implying that it was inappropriate or illegal for Baliles to have appointed Terry, Wilder said "this time, I followed the statute."
Wilder said he applauds the effort Terry has made but added that he had "made it as clear as I could make it during the course of my campaign [for governor] and even now that the buck will stop with me during this administration, that I would be be the anti-drug czar."
The governor said he discussed with Terry her not serving as chairman and "she accepted it most graciously."
Wilder also announced today how he has chosen to distribute more than $2 million in federal funds for anti-drug efforts. Most of the programs that will receive the money represent new initiatives from the governor's office.
The largest single grant of funds, however, will go to the Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education (DARE) program, which Terry has promoted. DARE will receive $284,664.
Additionally, Terry's major initiative in the anti-drug effort, the Commonwealth Alliance for Drug Rehabilitation and Education (CADRE), may receive a share of $120,000 which Wilder has earmarked for a Community Public-Private Partnership Program.
Williams, who was chosen by Wilder to replace Terry, is a partner in the law firm of Williams, Luck and Williams in Martinsville. He is a graduate of Wilder's alma mater, Howard University. He is also a former assistant dean of Harvard Law School and a former civil rights attorney in the Massachusetts Attorney General's office.
Among those named by Wilder to serve on the 18-member council is a former Republican state senator, Wiley Mitchell, who is general counsel with Norfolk Southern Corp. and now lives in Norfolk.
Most of those named to the council represent various state agencies that are already playing a role in the anti-drug effort. Absent from the list was a representative from Terry's office.
Wilder said the council make-up reflects "my commitment to developing a comprehensive solution to the many facets of our drug problem. In short, the council provides an opportunity for experts in the fields of enforcement, treatment and education to share their perspectives and their proposals with one another."
While Wilder announced how he plans to distribute about $2 million in federal funds, he said he has not decided how to use about $1.2 million in state funds the 1990 General Assembly set aside for his anti-drug initiatives.
The Governor's Council is expected to have a say in how the state money will be used.
Wilder, who promised that as the state's drug czar he would make personal visits to inner-city neighborhoods and get personally involved in the fight against drugs, said today that he is working out a schedule for such visits.
He said he also plans to make unannounced visits to some jails and halfway houses where drug abusers are being treated as part of his personal outreach program.
by CNB