Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 2, 1993 TAG: 9301020038
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
OFFICIAL MIGHT RETIRE
Jerome S. Howard, Roanoke's commissioner of revenue for 27 years, might retire later this year after he completes his seventh term in office.Howard, the only Republican among the city's five constitutional officers, confirmed this week that he is considering retiring rather than seeking a new term.
"I think it's about time [to retire]," said Howard, who has been commissioner of revenue since 1965. "I'm leaning that way."
Howard, 71, said he will talk with Republican Howard Party officials before he makes a decision.
Howard has been opposed for re-election only twice since he won the job. In 1989, he beat Democrat David Anderson by nearly 4,000 votes in winning 58 percent of the vote.
The commissioner levies business, personal property and real estate taxes. He also processes 5,000 applications a year for business, professional and occupational licenses. The commissioner also administers the real-estate tax freeze for elderly homeowners.
When Howard last sought re-election, he came under attack by the Democrats for what they said were lax procedures that allowed some taxpayers to avoid paying all of the taxes they owed. But Howard dismissed the criticism as political rhetoric, saying it was part of a campaign by some city administrators who wanted him out of office.
He charged that the criticism was "part of a continuing effort by a faction to seek some kind of control over the commissioner's office."
The commissioner of revenue is an independently elected officer who is answerable to taxpayers and voters, not to city administrators. Neither the city manager nor the finance director has jurisdiction over any constitutional officer.
Three other constitutional officers, all Democrats, say they will seek election in November.
Treasurer Gordon Peters, who ran unopposed in 1989, will seek a fifth term. He has held the post since 1977 and was assistant treasurer for 12 years before he was elected to the top job.
Commonwealth's Attorney Donald Caldwell said he intends to seek a new term but will hold off his official announcement until after the upcoming General Assembly session is over.
Caldwell has been commonwealth's attorney since 1979, having first been appointed to the post when Robert Rider resigned. Caldwell had no opposition when he won a new term four years ago.
Alvin Hudson, who has been sheriff since 1977, plans to seek a fifth term.
Three years ago, Hudson easily turned back the challenge of Republican Jim Phillips. It was Hudson's first challenge since becoming sheriff.
Circuit Court Clerk Arthur "Bert" Crush, the fifth constitutional officer, won't be up for election this year.
Crush, a Democrat, won the post in a special election for the remaining four years in Patsy Testerman's term after Testerman took early retirement in July 1991. The clerk serves an eight-year term.
Keywords:
POLITICS