Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 23, 1992 TAG: 9202230230
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
FITZPATRICK RECEIVES MOST VOTES BY FAR
Councilman Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr. was the top vote-getter Saturday as Roanoke Democrats chose a ticket for City Council that includes a newcomer and a veteran former councilman.Renee Anderson, a former executive secretary in the city clerk's office, and James Trout, a former councilman trying to make a second political comeback, will join Fitzpatrick on the Democratic slate.
Fitzpatrick ran ahead of the other five council candidates - as well as Councilman David Bowers, the mayoral candidate - by polling 1,045 votes. Bowers received 896.
The balloting for the mayoral and council seats was separate, so Bowers and Fitzpatrick were not competing.
Fitzpatrick's popularity with the Democrats appeared to transcend political alliances at Saturday's meeting. He was part of a ticket that backed Vice Mayor Howard Musser, who lost to Bowers. But he ran stronger than any candidates who were aligned with either Musser or Bowers.
Anderson, who would become the first black woman to win a council seat, ran second in the balloting for council, with 825.
Trout finished third with 656, narrowly defeating Steve Goodwin, who polled 629. The Rev. J. Eugene Young finished fifth with 594, and Ted Key got 283.
Anderson and Trout were on a ticket with Bowers that was backed by the Roanoke Central Labor Council and the Roanoke Firefighters Association. The labor groups endorsed only two council candidates.
Fitzpatrick was the only winner who wasn't endorsed by labor.
Bowers, who will head the Democratic slate, said he was pleased with the outcome, describing it as a winning ticket that represents different areas of the city.
"It is a great ticket, with Renee and her youth, Bev and his supporters and Jim Trout, a veteran," Bowers said.
Bowers said he can run with Fitzpatrick, although the two frequently have been at odds. Asked after Saturday's vote if he can be comfortable on the ticket with Bowers, Fitzpatrick said he can work with Bowers if Bowers shows that he wants to work for the good of the city as he says.
Fitzpatrick, vice president of economic development and legislative affairs for Dominion Bankshares, endorsed Musser in the mayoral race and urged his supporters to vote for Musser.
Fitzpatrick, 45, was on an unofficial ticket with Musser, Goodwin and Young. Sample ballots were distributed Saturday urging voters to support those four. Fitzpatrick was the only winner among the group.
Fitzpatrick said the contest for the Democratic nominations for mayor and the council seats produced strong emotions, but he thinks the party will work together after the emotions subside.
Anderson, the newcomer on the ticket, told her cheering supporters that she will bring new energy and a fresh perspective.
Anderson, 28, worked in the clerk's office for 5 1/2 years before she quit last November for medical reasons. She now runs a used-car and car-washing business with her brother.
Keywords:
POLITICS