
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, May 3, 1993                   TAG: 9305030286
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WHAT'S PACKETT'S STAND ON THE ISSUE?

HOWARD Packett has announced his intention to run for the House of Delegates. He is in a position to make history as a representative from our district. Packett currently serves on Salem City Council and is one of the most vocal and avid supporters of Mayor Taliaferro. He also voted in favor of the now-infamous land-swap deal we have been struggling with in Salem, in the context of conflict of interest and ignorance.

Interestingly, Packett is a friend of Del. Dick Cranwell, who is supporting him for state office. Cranwell pushed through the current conflict-of-interest law we now labor with. This law is a bad one because, as we have seen recently, it has produced monumental confusion and has allowed the potential of, if not the actual, ripping off of the public trust.

I challenge Packett to take a stand and pledge to overturn this unjust law and convert it to a tough statute that requires the same standards of public officials as are required of us all. Ignorance must cease.

BILL SENTER\ SALEM

by CNB