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

DATE: THURSDAY, January 2, 1992                   TAG: 9201020173
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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VOTERS FORFEITED MACFARLANE'S POWER

IN DEFEATING Sen. Granger Macfarlane's bid for a third term in the state Senate, the voters of Roanoke Valley failed to grasp the importance of the power base that Sen. Macfarlane has built in the state government.

Sen. Macfarlane had the support of Gov. Wilder. Whatever the voters' sentiments toward him, the office of governor is the most powerful position in Virginia politics. Its holder is responsible for setting policies and making key appointments in the commonwealth. Through his influence with the governor's office, Sen. Macfarlane has a remarkable record in making appointments of citizens of the Roanoke Valley to positions of power in the state. This influence has also made it possible for him to address his constituents' concerns at the highest level of power.

As as freshman senator representing the minority party, his successor will be unable to get a bill passed while in office; nor will he be able to appoint his supporters to positions of power in the state government. Thus the voters have lost eight years of hard work by Sen. Macfarlane to create a more powerful voice in Richond on behalf of the citizens of Roanoke Valley. G. WALTON LINDSAY CHARLOTTESVILLE

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