Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 31, 1990 TAG: 9005310298
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARGIE FISHER RICHMOND BUREAU
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
"It may be the first early signal about his preference in '93," when Terry could be challenged by Lt. Gov. Don Beyer for the Democratic nomination for governor, said Larry Sabato, a political scientist at the University of Virginia.
Wilder, announcing his decision to replace Terry at a news conference Wednesday morning, denied that his action was a slam at Terry , who has made the fight against alcohol and drug abuse a centerpiece of her political career.
The governor said he was bumping her because state law requires that the council's chairman be a member of the general public.
Wilder did not suggest that Terry, who was appointed by former Gov. Gerald Baliles, had held the post illegally. But he said he wanted to follow the letter of the law in making his appointments.
He said he had told Terry he had concerns about the makeup of the council and her chairmanship of it and "she accepted it most graciously."
Sabato pointed out, however, that "relationships have never exactly been warm" between Wilder and Terry, and it's well known that many on Wilder's team would prefer Beyer to be his successor. "So no matter what he says, this move has got to be interpreted in a political light, at least partially," Sabato said.
Mark Rozelle, an assistant professor of political science at Mary Washington College, agreed that Wilder could be making a pre-emptive strike against Terry and in favor of Beyer. "He's certainly shown an inclination as governor to push aside people he feels less comfortable with or that he's spatted with in the past."
But Rozelle thought it more likely that Wilder's action was meant to push Terry out of the spotlight of the drug issue. Rozelle said he thinks Wilder just wants to make sure he gets the credit if the drug problem is alleviated in Virginia in the next four years.
Steve Haner, executive director of the Republican legislators' caucus, said that is also how he reads the situation. "Basically, I think he's just grabbing all the credit he can. He's not one for sharing the credit."
At his news conference, Wilder said he applauded Terry's anti-drug efforts. He added, though, 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 the anti-drug czar."
In a statement, Terry said she had no problem with the governor's decision to replace her. "I support the governor. He's made excellent appointments."
Wilder announced that he had appointed a Martinsville man, Robert A. Williams, to replace Terry and had named 18 other new members to the council.
Williams 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 also is a former assistant dean of Harvard Law School and a former civil rights attorney in the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office.
Among others named by Wilder was a former Republican state senator, Wiley Mitchell, who is general counsel with Norfolk Southern Corp. and now lives in Norfolk.
Most of those appointed to the council represent various state agencies that already are playing a role in the anti-drug effort. No one from Terry's office was appointed.
Tom Morris, a political professor at the University of Richmond, said the shakeup of the council membership is consistent with other moves Wilder has made to put his own stamp on operations of government by removing his predecessors' appointees.
While it is true that Wilder "hasn't distinguished a great deal between friends and enemies" in his appointments, Morris said Wilder - as the state's first black governor and the first black elected governor in the nation - is more "sensitive" than most to the perquisites of the office.
"He clearly wants his own team. He wants whatever is done to be done his way and he wants people who are directly answerable to him," said Morris.
Whatever Wilder's motives, Sabato said the governor has certainly shown a talent for stirring up controversy, on almost a daily basis. "With this guy, there's never a dull day . . . He's got his own dynamite factory."
As part of his drug-related news conference Wednesday, Wilder announced that the state will get $2.1 million in federal funds July 1 that will fund a variety of anti-drug efforts, including programs to train police, parents, businesses, universities and courts to deal with substance abuse problems.
by CNB