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

DATE: TUESDAY, July 3, 1990                   TAG: 9007030135
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SALEM MAYOR IS ELECTED TO NINTH TERM

James E. Taliaferro and W. "Mac" Green were elected to their ninth terms as Salem's mayor and vice mayor Monday by their fellow council members.

Taliaferro becomes the first council member to serve more than eight terms as mayor. James I. Moyer, now a retired General District Court judge, was mayor from 1948 to 1964.

Taliaferro, who was first elected to council in 1972 and as mayor in 1974, called election as mayor by his peers the "highest honor." Taliaferro said he preferred being elected by fellow council members over a system in which top officials are selected in what he called a "popularity contest."

Green, who was first elected to council in 1974 and as vice mayor that same year, said he appreciated the faith that council members showed in re-electing him.

Green and Councilman Carl E. "Sonny" Tarpley were sworn in to their fifth terms on council by Roanoke County Circuit Judge G.O. "Tommy" Clemens. Both won re-election bids in the May 1 election.

The terms of mayor and vice mayor are two years. A council member's term runs for four years.

In other business, council adopted a resolution providing for a $5 million general obligation public improvement bond. Bond money will be used primarily for improvements to the sanitary and storm water sewer system, but money also has been earmarked to upgrade the city computer system, improve downtown lighting, construct a water storage tank and improve the main fire station.

by CNB