Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 9, 1991 TAG: 9104090387
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A coalition of South Roanoke residents, Roanoke Memorial Hospital doctors and several neighborhood leaders from other areas in the city pleaded with council to reverse its 4-3 vote last week to allow racing in the stadium.
Although the issue was approved last week, ordinances must be approved on two readings to become effective. The second reading is usually a formality.
But stadium-racing foes tried to persuade at least one of the council members who favored the measure to change his vote Monday night. They launched a phone campaign last week week and distributed fliers urging a large turnout at the meeting.
But the lobbying campaign and arguments didn't change any minds; the vote Monday night was identical to last week's.
Voting for stadium racing were Vice Mayor Howard Musser, David Bowers, James Harvey and William White. Mayor Noel Taylor, Elizabeth Bowles and Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr. opposed it.
"I think my common sense and good judgment tells me that Victory Stadium is not suitable for racing. I can't in good conscience expose hospital patients to the noise," Bowles said.
About 125 people crowded into the meeting and most opposed the racing promoter's request. But there were some who favored stadium racing, and several speakers urged council to approve it.
Dr. J.H. Hollingsworth, director of the coronary care center at Roanoke Memorial, urged council to reject racing because he said it would disturb patients.
If council allows just one trial race, he said, it will send a message that the city isn't concerned about hospital patients and Roanoke Memorial's medical complex.
"Racing should not be held in a city in a hospital parking lot," Hollingsworth said.
Barbara Duerk, chairman of Neighbors in South Roanoke, said automobile racing is not appropriate in any area in the city. She said residents in Williamson Road and Northwest Roanoke wouldn't want racing next to their neighborhoods.
If council wants to do something for racing fans, she suggested it rent buses and haul them to the Franklin County Speedway.
Ed Hall urged council to reject Taylor's request, saying the racing promoter, his attorney and the speakers at Monday night's meeting who favored stadium racing live outside the city.
"The people who are here asking you to vote against it are the people who elected you and who you represent," Hall said.
The Rev. Charles Green said he opposed stadium racing because he fears that such events would attract drug dealers and cause an increase in drug sales in the city.
Charles Coulter, vice chairman of Neighbors in South Roanoke, said several hundred people have signed petitions opposing stadium racing. Almost everyone at the meetings where the issue has been considered has opposed the request. If a large number of city residents favored stadium racing, he said, they would have voiced their feelings.
But Don Hutcherson, a track announcer at Franklin County Speedway, said Taylor could have turned out a crowd of several hundred people favoring racing in the stadium if he had wanted.
"He felt there was no need to make a public spectacle out of it," Hutcherson said. "We are not here to fight the people of South Roanoke. And if we thought the noise would disturb the hospital patients, we wouldn't do it."
Andrew Roberts III, a stock-car driver who lives in South Roanoke, urged council to approve Taylor's request, saying the racing promoter should be allowed to have a trial race.
Council has agreed to allow Taylor to hold races May 27, July 5 and Sept. 2. The city will have the right to cancel the final two days if the first race causes problems.
Taylor must provide security and parking plans at least 30 days before the first race, comply with insurance requirements and make a $10,000 cash deposit to ensure payment of city expenses.
The racing promoter has assured council he will meet all conditions and sign a 13-page license agreement that requires mufflers on the race cars, security fences and a plan for overflow parking.
The four councilmen who voted to allow races have said the city should offer well-rounded recreational opportunities and make better use of the stadium if the races don't create problems. A trial race is the only way to determine whether the objections are valid, Musser said.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB