
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 1, 1990                   TAG: 9006010510
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Joel Turner
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SWORN IN

It was the kind of praise Roanoke City Council members seldom hear - and it came from an unlikely source.

Council members serve on the front lines of democracy because they must face their constituents every Monday and often have to vote while looking directly at them.

That's the way that a state legislator described council members Thursday as three members took their oath of office.

Del. Clifton Woodrum, D-Roanoke, said legislators go to Washington and Richmond to cast their votes, but council members cannot get away from their constituents.

"You vote on the things that have more immediate effect on people's lives," said Woodrum. "You are the closest to the people."

William White and James Harvey will not assume their duties until July 1, but city officials scheduled the ceremony a month early to fit the schedules of the Circuit Court judges and other officials.

White, a School Board member for five years, and Harvey, a former councilman who will return after a two-year absence, were elected on May 1. Howard Musser, a current councilman, won re-election and will become vice mayor on July 1 because he led in the voting.

by CNB