Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 25, 1992 TAG: 9202250107
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
MCCADDEN NOT NEW TO CITY GOVERNMENT
Delvis "Mac" McCadden is making his first try for public office, but he is well-known by many through his involvement in civic and community affairs.And he's no newcomer to city government.
He is a member of the Roanoke Civic Center Commission, Roanoke Library Board, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council and Roanoke Crime Prevention Committee.
McCadden, 42, said he is seeking the Republican Party nomination for one of the three City Council seats because he wants to give something back to a city that has been good to him.
McCadden, district sales manager for USAir, said he wants the same things as all candidates - lower taxes, more jobs and better schools. But the issue is how that message will be conveyed to voters, he said.
"The Republican ticket doesn't want to radically change our local government; we want to improve it," he said.
McCadden is a former teacher, baseball player and umpire. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech, where he studied political science and physical education. He also attended the U.S. Air Force Academy.
McCadden said the city has low unemployment, an acceptable tax rate and good schools, but that more attention needs to be given to the crime problem.
McCadden said Roanoke should consider a neighborhood policing program similar to one in Greensboro, N.C., where police resource officers, teachers and advisers are assigned to certain areas.
"Our citizens need to believe that the streets of Roanoke are safe for their families," he said. "We need to instill community respect in our young people, not an atmosphere of mistrust."
The Roanoke Valley also needs to increase its efforts to attract tourists, he said.
"Stimulating the income sometimes means injecting the income. Our convention and visitors bureau operates on a paltry budget when compared to cities of similar size," he said.
"Working to attract tourists and additional business ventures means more dollars spent in Roanoke that would benefit this city's economics."
Mayor Noel Taylor and other top GOP officials are supporting McCadden's bid for a council seat. Taylor has described McCadden as a friend with an outstanding civic and community service record.
Keywords:
POLITICS