Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 4, 1992 TAG: 9203040260
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Last-minute entrant Bill Senter joined Mayor Jim Taliaferro, Councilmen Alex Brown and Howard Packett and newcomer Rodney Furr in the race for three council seats. All five are running as independents.
Senter has been vocal about what he contends is nepotism in city government and school system hiring. In part, he has targeted Taliaferro and Brown, who have family members working in City Hall and the school system.
Senter, 53, said initially he turned down requests from supporters who asked him to run.
"I simply wanted to speak out on what I saw were some problem areas," he said. "But in the meantime, I've gotten overwhelming support not only for me personally but for my concerns. And for having the fortitude to attack."
Senter, a real estate broker, first ran for council in 1988 against the same three incumbents.
Taliaferro, 56, is seeking a sixth four-year term on council. He was first elected to council 20 years ago. President of Salem Contracting Co., Taliaferro has been mayor for 18 1/2 years.
Brown, 39, is seeking a fourth term. A real-estate agent, Brown has been on council since 1980.
Packett, 59, is seeking his third term. Packett, president of the Edmonds-Packett Group Inc. and chairman of the Fifth Planning District Commission, has been on council since 1984.
Furr, 44, works in sales for Process Specialities Inc. in Salem. He has served on the Curriculum Planning Committee for the Salem school system and is chairman of the administrative board of the First United Methodist Church in Salem.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB