Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 4, 1992 TAG: 9203040193
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Teske, 56, president of Teske Leasing Co., filed to run in the May 5 municipal election against incumbents Michael Chandler, Waldon Kearns and Frances Parsons, who all filed for re-election.
Brian McConnell, a Virginia Tech student and a Blacksburg resident for four years, also filed his candidacy this week.
"There needs to be a choice," said Teske, whose company runs various rental properties. "There needs to be another voice."
He claims his property has been devalued and wants a judge to abolish Blacksburg's ordinance that curbs development downtown.
McConnell, who has a finance degree and is pursuing another bachelor's degree, in electrical engineering, hopes to get more people involved in government.
"Young people should get involved in government," McConnell said. "And a council should represent the community. Young people are part of this community."
Both challengers are concerned with job opportunities and hope to be able to do their part to create new growth.
As a downtown landowner, Teske - who holds an animal science degree from Virginia Tech - wants "to prioritize things around here. I have no hidden agenda. I'm just real interested in creating more cooperation."
Teske's comments are similar to those of his father, Frank Teske Sr., who was on Blacksburg Town Council from 1970 to 1972.
Teske Sr., who had the same concerns and wanted Blacksburg voters to have a choice when he went back into politics in 1990, ran again but lost.
Although Teske Jr. has filed suit against the town, he thinks "everything will be settled by the time of elections."
Teske Leasing Co. filed a motion for declaratory judgment in Montgomery County Circuit Court last year, claiming that the Central Residential District ordinance "substantially diminishes the value" of its three lots on Washington Street.
Further, the suit says, the ordinance downzones all property in the district and violates the town's Comprehensive Plan.
McConnell, a native of Baltimore and part-time employee at Virginia Tech's Information Systems, plans to live here permanently and, after graduate school, perhaps start his own communications business.
"If elected, I plan to finish school on a part-time basis so that I can devote a lot of time to the job," McConnell said. "I'm very serious about this position."
He understands the public's likely concern about his youth and "perceived lack of experience" but thinks his "new ideas and creative approaches" will represent many different segments of the community.
McConnell, 21, particularly plans to work as a catalyst to keep other young people in the area.
"The real debate is the future of the town," he said.
by CNB