Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 31, 1992 TAG: 9201310113
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
MUSSER SEEKS TOP JOB
ROANOKE'S Democratic vice mayor got a show of support from Republican leaders Elizabeth Bowles and Noel Taylor, prompting speculation that any GOP hopeful would be discouraged from entering the race for mayor.\Roanoke Vice Mayor Howard Musser couldn't have asked for anything better to attract attention to his campaign for mayor.
He received support from Democrats and Republicans alike Thursday at a news conference to announce he will seek the mayor's post.
Mayor Noel Taylor, a popular Republican who is retiring after 16 1/2 years in the post, praised Musser, calling him one of the city's outstanding political leaders.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Bowles, another Republican, also attended the news conference, saying that Musser, a Democrat, is a close friend.
Several Democratic office-holders stood behind Musser as a show of support, but Taylor and Bowles attracted the most attention.
The two Republicans made sure to point out, however, that their presence did not necessarily mean they will endorse Musser in the May election. But Musser and his Democratic supporters were clearly buoyed. Some said they hoped this would discourage GOP candidates from getting into the mayoral race.
Musser, who has been vice mayor three times because he led in the voting each time he has run, said Taylor has been his mentor.
Taylor said that because the Republicans have no announced candidates for mayor, he did not feel like he was being disloyal to his party. "This is just a continuation of a deep and abiding friendship with Howard," he said.
Willis Anderson, a former mayor, is being urged by GOP leaders and others to run for the post again, but he has not announced his decision.
Regardless of whether Anderson or another Republican gets into the mayoral race, Musser will face a tough fight with Councilman David Bowers for the Democratic nomination. Bowers got into the race a month ago; Musser, saying he would not challenge Taylor, waited until he knew whether Taylor would seek a new term.
Musser's campaign will be built around the themes of maturity, experience and proven leadership. Musser, 62, has been on council 9 1/2 years. Bowers is 39 and has been a councilman for 7 1/2 years.
Musser, a retired finance supervisor for General Electric, said no one can replace Taylor. "The best anyone can do is to have the maturity, experience and dedication to fill the void that will be left by his retirement."
Musser said his leadership style is similar to those of the city's past two mayors: Taylor and Roy Webber.
"I like to work behind the scenes to present problems that are referred to me by citizens and other groups," he said, "not be vocal in public during the council sessions, which may be misleading at times."
Musser, a past chairman of the Virginia Municipal League's education policy committee, said city officials must assure that each child receives a proper education.
He said city officials must continue their efforts to attract new businesses and industries to help expand the tax base. They need also to encourage the construction of new middle- and upper-income housing so that people of all income levels will have the chance to buy houses in the city.
The city will face hard times in the next few years, he said, and among the challenges will be providing adequate pay for its employees while holding down taxes. There also is the task of providing housing and caring for homeless and poor people from around the region with little help from other localities.
He made it clear he has no delusions about the mayor's job, saying, "It is demanding, challenging and requires a great amount of time and had work."
The Democrats will choose their candidates for mayor and three council seats at a mass meeting Feb. 22; the Republicans, Feb. 25. The seats are held by Bowers, Bowles and Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr. Both Bowles and Fitzpatrick are seeking re-election.