Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 4, 1992 TAG: 9203040267
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MONICA DAVEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BEDFORD LENGTH: Medium
Council members Ronnie Rice, Joanne Grahame and Mayor Mike Shelton turned in re-election petitions by the deadline Tuesday evening.
W.D. "Skip" Tharp and Patsy "Pat" Crowder also filed petitions with the required 125 signatures to compete in the election May 5, according to city Registrar Nancy Bower.
Vice Mayor John M. Owen III, whose seat also is up for grabs, said Tuesday that he would not seek re-election.
Owen, the leading vote-getter in 1988, said he would not seek a fourth four-year term for personal reasons.
"My children are growing up," Owen said. "I'm going to miss [council] . . . but I will enjoy the time."
Crowder, 50, is office and business manager at the Bedford Bulletin. She also writes a social news column called "Let's Talk" for the weekly newspaper.
"I really enjoy working with people," Crowder said Tuesday. "I'd just like to be there for the people. If I can just contribute a small portion for the people, I'd like to do it."
Tharp, 44, runs Carder-Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory in Bedford. He could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Rice, 57, has served on council for two terms and says he's missed only two meetings in that time.
Shelton, 40, a former city employee, first won election to council in 1984.
Grahame, 62, first was elected in 1988.
Residents may register to vote by April 4, Bower said - 2,796 of Bedford's 6,000 residents are registered.
People who need to vote by absentee ballot may file a request by mail by April 30 or in person at Bower's office by May 2.
After the election, council members will choose a mayor and vice mayor.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB