Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 20, 1992 TAG: 9202200377
SECTION: NATL/INTL PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
PASTOR JOINS LIST OF COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Saying he wants to give voters a choice and another viewpoint, the Rev. J. Eugene Young entered the race for Roanoke City Council Wednesday.Young, making his first try for public office, said he will bring a fresh perspective to council.
"With my experience and my leadership ability, I feel that my voice would be helpful on council," he said at a news conference.
Young, pastor of Jerusalem Baptist Church, is the sixth candidate for the Democratic nomination for the three council seats up for election in May.
Young, 47, is the second black candidate to seek the Democratic nomination, but he indicated he will seek support in all areas of the city. Renee Anderson, a former city worker who entered the contest earlier, is black.
Asked if he hopes to replace Mayor Noel Taylor as a voice for black issues, Young he said he doesn't think anyone can replace Taylor. If he wins a council seat, he said, he will try to be a voice for all voters.
Young has no criticism of the current council members, but he said he would focus on four areas: education, jobs, neighborhood security and youths.
He thinks the school system should provide more alternative-education programs for those who are not gifted or college-bound.
The recession is hurting many city residents who have lost their jobs, he said.
"There is a great deal of unrest in Roanoke because so many individuals are unemployed," he said. "Presently, too many people are working two or three jobs to make ends meet."
Young wants the city to expand its Community Oriented Police Effort to other neighborhoods. In the COPE program, which has concentrated in the Lincoln Terrace and Hurt Park neighborhoods, police officers go door to door to meet residents and discuss their concerns. City officials said the approach has helped reduce residents' fears about crime.
Young also wants the city to develop more activities and social programs for young people.
The other Democratic candidates are Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr., Anderson, Steve Goodwin, Ted Key and James Trout.
The Democrats will choose their nominees for mayor and council at a mass meeting Saturday.
Keywords:
POLITICS