Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 29, 1992 TAG: 9201290094
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
`NO ONE WILL EVER FILL HIS SHOES'
IN EMOTIONAL WORDS that brought tears to his eyes, Roanoke Mayor Noel Taylor said Tuesday he won't seek a new term this spring.
The announcement had been expected, but more than 150 members of High Street Baptist Church, city officials and political leaders crowded into the Roanoke City Council Chamber to hear it.
Noel Taylor fought back tears several times as he read a seven-page statement saying he will retire when his current term as mayor ends June 30.
Taylor, pastor of High Street Baptist, cited health conditions as one reason, but said there were other factors, too.
"My physicians have advised me that it would be in my best interest not to seek another term as mayor," he said.
Taylor said his doctors doubted he would have the strength and vitality he would need if he won another four-year term.
Taylor, 67, said his health problems are serious, but he did not disclose them. Taylor, a Republican, said he didn't want to focus on his health or cite that as the only reason for leaving the post after 16 1/2 years.
"It's really a very sad day for Roanoke," said Vice Mayor Howard Musser.
"He has given so much to the city. He gave his statement today with the same grace, dignity and elegance that he always does," said Musser, who will seek the Democratic Party nomination to succeed Taylor.
"People may be able to fill the position of mayor; but I guarantee, no one will ever fill his shoes," Musser said.
"In a way, this is the end of an era. He's a unique person in many ways," said City Manager Bob Herbert.
Herbert said he was sad that Taylor was leaving as mayor, but added, "I think that I'm a better person for" having known and worked with him.
Taylor always has been more concerned with doing the right thing than worrying about who got credit for it, the city manager said.
The hallmark of Taylor's years as mayor will be that "he cared deeply about the city and its people," said former Councilman Hampton Thomas, who served 12 years with Taylor.
"Noel's going to be missed. He was always there when he was needed. You could count on him," Thomas said.
Taylor's departure will be a loss to the city that won't be fully realized until after he is gone, said Councilwoman Elizabeth Bowles.
"He has the unique ability to bring people together - black and white, young and old, Democrats and Republicans," she said. "It's going to take time to realize what we have lost."
Former Councilman Robert Garland, a close friend and political ally of Taylor's for two decades, said, "He transcended political parties, race, creed, gender or economic status."
Garland, who ran on the GOP ticket with Taylor in 1970 when he was first elected to council, said he sometimes thought Taylor was perpetual and his term would never end.
"I had always felt that he would continue as [mayor] as long as his health would permit," Garland said. "Many people in our community have never known the city to have another mayor."
Councilman William White said he was saddened, too, that the city will lose a "leader who has compassion for all people and a demonstrated ability to lead in the good times and the bad times."
White said he will work to make sure that the concerns of black residents will be heard on council, even though Taylor, the city's first black mayor, will be leaving.
"I'm a little nervous about not having the mayor's guidance, but I can assure you that the views of the [black community] will be considered," said White, the third black elected to council.
Councilman David Bowers, who is also seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor, said he was more concerned about Taylor's health than his mayoral bid. "This is not a day to talk about politics," he said.
Several members of Taylor's church had mixed reactions.
"We are saddened because he won't continue as mayor, but we are glad because of all the good works he has done for the city," said Bernice James.
Howard Hopkins, Sunday School superintendent and a deacon at High Street Baptist, said Taylor now can devote more time to his ministry.
"I don't think this is the end by any means. I think we still have a lot to look forward to. We'll support him in whatever needs he has," Hopkins said.
A. Byron Smith, another officer at High Street Baptist, said that although Taylor won't be mayor, "all of the things he has done will continue to pay rich dividends."
The city's loss will be the church's gain, Smith said. "We are not going to let him get lonely."
Taylor said his family and church assured him they would support him in whatever decision he made.
His wife, B.J., and his two daughters also attended the news conference. His wife said she was sad that he will leave a post that has been such a big part of his life for so long. But she was glad that he can get more rest and will have time to do other things he enjoys.
Taylor said he is willing to help the city in any way that he can after he leaves the mayor's post. "If the new mayor would like for me to serve in any capacity, whatever it is, I'll do that."
But he assured his church members, supporters and city officials that he won't try to run the city from behind the scenes. He said he plans to live in Roanoke the rest of his life.
He cited several projects that the city should go forward with:
Rehabilitation of Hotel Roanoke and a conference center.
Construction of a pedestrian bridge from the Dominion Tower to the hotel.
Conversion of the old Jefferson High School into a performing arts center.
Completion of a downtown street loop system to make the Henry Street revival project more viable.