Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 2, 1993 TAG: 9302020246
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
COUNCIL STYMIES BOWERS
Roanoke Mayor David Bowers, co-chairman of the campaign that raised $5 million for the Hotel Roanoke project, lost a bid Monday for a seat on the commission that will oversee the project.On a 5-2 vote, City Council named the city's acting finance director, James Grisso, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Finance Director Joel Schlanger.
Bowers wanted to be appointed to fill the vacancy, and he had made that clear to other council members in recent weeks, pointing to his work on behalf of the project.
But when the vote was taken after a lengthy closed session, he had the support of only Councilman William White .
Bowers suggested that the decision was politically motivated and linked to his defeat of Councilman Howard Musser for the Democratic nomination for mayor last year.
"This was pay-back time. The people can see it for what it is," Bowers said.
"To say I was disappointed would be an understatement."
Despite his rebuff by council, Bowers said he will keep working to promote the hotel project.
Musser would not comment on the reasons Bowers was not selected. But Councilwoman Elizabeth Bowles, a Republican, denied the decision was politically motivated.
Bowles, who nominated Grisso, said she felt the city needed financial expertise on the commission.
In an interview last week, Musser, too, said Schlanger should be replaced by someone with a financial background and expertise.
"It has nothing to do with [Bowers]. I would feel the same way, regardless of who it was," Musser said.
Other council members did not cite a reason for choosing Grisso over Bowers.
Labor leaders wanted Bowers appointed to help ensure that local laborers and contractors get part of the construction work.
But some council members said before Monday's meeting they did not see the need for another elected official on the commission.
Once the financing package is complete, Bowers said contractual and legal matters will be the top issue for the hotel and conference center. Bowers, a lawyer, said his legal background and experience would have been beneficial on the commission.