Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 22, 1992 TAG: 9203230147
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Long
So far, there's not even been any issues raised.
Do folks know there's an political race on, right in their own backyard?
Bill Deemer does.
And he knows who's running.
"I probably will vote for the people rather than the issues," said Deemer, an insurance man who agreed to be interviewed as part of an informal survey last week at the North Main Street post office.
Deemer said he votes religiously in town elections.
"I don't think the issues are as important as the personalities of the elections," he said.
Three Blacksburg Town Council members are seeking re-election: Frances Parsons, Michael Chandler and Waldon Kerns.
Two challengers, Frank Teske Jr. and Brian McConnell, have stepped forward to take on Town Hall, as it were.
None has sent out press releases or launched campaigns in a big way, yet.
A debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters on March 30 might crack open the campaign and bring out some issues. The debate will be in council chambers starting at 7:30 p.m.
LaVeta Nutter would like to know what those issues will be.
Nutter, a mother and substitute school teacher, said she knew an election was coming up, but she has been out of town and hadn't kept up with it.
"I'm sure they'll send out all sorts of fliers," Nutter said.
She likes the town's beautification and landscaping projects and the Two Town Trolley. But she wants to see mandated recycling at apartment complexes such as the one she lives in on South Main Street.
And, she added, there should be more council members who aren't affiliated with Virginia Tech. Five of the seven are on Tech's payroll.
Blacksburg native and business owner Clinton Graves said he has always voted in town elections. He has no complaints with council but said he'd like to see more business-oriented people there.
He plans to vote this year, although he's not sure what the issues are.
Town elections always are in spring, so there's no juicy gubernatorial or presidential fight to draw voters out. This year's election is May 5.
Sandra Chaffin, Montgomery County registrar, said 1,558 Blacksburg residents voted in 1990. That was 17 percent of those registered to vote. "That's not a very good turnout," she said.
The 1988 election must have been a good one - it got 34 percent of the voters to the polls.
Town Clerk Donna Boone-Caldwell said there's been at least a couple of challengers over the past four elections.
Council members are paid $400 a month and the mayor gets $500. Council meets at least twice a month, not counting special meetings and committee meetings. They also are reimbursed for travel expenses.
"It's a thankless job. I wouldn't want it," said one man at the post office.
\ Frank Teske Jr.\ \ Age: 55.\ \ Occupation: Self-employed in real estate; owns and manages residential and commercial properties.\ \ Why are you running for council?: "I just think that the town needs an option . . . fresh input, if you will."\ \ Last book read: "The Sum of All Fears" by Tom Clancy.\ \ Last purchase of $20 or more: A switch for a motor for one of the rental homes the manages.
\ Brian McConnell
\ Age: 22\ \ Occupation: Virginia Tech student getting his second bachelor's degree, this one in electrical engineering. He also works for Tech's Communications Resources Service for the campus computer network.\ \ Why are you running for council?: "I feel it's important for young people to get involved in local government and bring new ideas and issues into local elections."\ \ Last book read: "Cathedral" by Nelson Demille.\ \ Last purchase of $20 or more: "That's an easy one. A new computer." Purchased from a mail-order company run by fellow Tech students out of a garage in Blacksburg.
WALDON KERNS\ \ Age: 52\ \ Occupation: Virginia Tech professor of agricultural economics\ \ Why are you seeking re-election?: "The main thing is to see that we carry forward on many projects we have on the board right now." Kerns has been on council four years.\ \ Last book read: James Michener's latest book. Kerns couldn't recall the title. \ Last purchase of $20 or more: Two pairs of pants at Davidson's in downtown Blacksburg.\
Michael Chandler\ \ Age: 43\ \ Occupation: Virginia Tech associate professor of community development\ \ Why are you seeking re-election?: "The issues that are facing the community are important issues and I would like to be a part of and play a role in identifying the solutions. . . ." Chandler has been on council since 1984.\ \ Last book read: Currently reading four books - "Creating Successful Communities" by the Conservation Foundation, "Reinventing Government" by David Osborne and Ted Gaebler, "Laboratories of Democracy" by Osborne and "The Leadership Challenge" by James Kouzes and Barry Posner.\ \ Last purchase of $20 or more: Gasoline at a Blacksburg gas station.
\ Frances Parsons\ \ Age: 56\ \ Occupation: "I don't know what you'd put down for that." Parsons has raised five children, has been on council since 1972, and also is on the Planning Commission.\ \ Why are you seeking re-election?: "We are at a period of time that we need direction in the type of growth for Blacksburg, and I certainly want to be a part of that."\ \ Last book read: "Comeback," by Dick Francis.\ \ Last purchase of $20 or more: Groceries.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB