Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 19, 1992 TAG: 9202190110
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
BOWERS, MUSSER: POVERTY ANSWER LIES OUTSIDE CITY
David Bowers and Howard Musser agree - is a critical issue facing the city of Roanoke.But when asked for answers, both men turned the question around to not what the city should do, but what surrounding localities have failed to do.
The two Democrats said the unwillingness of rural and suburban counties to address inadequate housing, unemployment and indigent health care has turned Roanoke into a dumping ground for the disadvantaged.
Both men who would be mayor said the city has done all it can, and that it's high time for surrounding localities to take care of their own.
"Roanoke City can no longer be the only government that provides for the needs of the poor and disadvantaged," Bowers said.
"Some people say we ought to spread the wealth. We ought to spread the burden, too."
As mayor, Bowers said, he would impress upon leaders in places such as Botetourt and Bedford counties the necessity to patch up their safety nets for the poor.
"Will it work? It's never been tried before," he said.
Musser said the legislature should force all localities to set up poverty programs by threatening to reduce state aid for those that don't.
Musser said this "Robin Hood approach" - robbing from affluent suburban localities and giving to the inner cities - would give cities like Roanoke assistance in dealing with a problem that burdens schools and social workers.
Neither candidate has spent much time talking about affordable housing, the proliferation of part-time jobs that pay no benefits and the affordability of day care for single-parent households.
Both said they had read portions of "Decade of Neglect," a 1991 Roanoke Times & World-News series on poverty.
Musser said he thought the articles were "too negative" toward the city's efforts, particularly in the area of low-income housing.
"I think we have done an admirable job in that area," he said. "You can always do more, but we have done an admirable job."
Bowers, who is City Council's liaison to the housing programs, said officials at the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority have tried to be more receptive to residents' concerns.
***CORRECTION***
Published correction ran on February 20, 1992 in the State edition.
\ Correction
Because of an error in the production process, photographs of the homes of Roanoke mayoral candidates David Bowers and Howard Musser were switched in some editions Wednesday.
\
Keywords:
POLITICS
Memo: Correction