Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 18, 1993 TAG: 9305180303
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Incumbents Bob Johnson and Harry Nickens were tapped for the Hollins and Vinton districts respectively. Former Supervisor Lee Garrett was nominated for the Windsor Hills District seat.
Johnson made it clear in his acceptance speech that he would not roll over for Republican challenger Brenda Flora Wainwright.
He fired back at Wainwright, who has criticized Johnson for abstaining on several issues to avoid conflicts of interest with his position as chief executive officer of a commercial real-estate company.
Johnson noted that one of Wainwright's supporters, Board of Supervisors Chairman Fuzzy Minnix, also works in real estate and has abstained on some issues involving his firm.
"You can't have it both ways," Johnson said. "I assume she wants Fuzzy Minnix to resign."
Johnson, 47, is seeking his third four-year term as Hollins representative.
A native of North Carolina, he moved to Roanoke County in 1973 after teaching and coaching in Martinsville public schools. He worked as a representative with the Virginia Education Association, a teachers' group, for 14 years before entering real estate and development. He is president of HCMF Real Estate and Housing Management Corp.
In his speech, Johnson outlined the progressive steps that Roanoke County has taken during his tenure: an accredited police department, an annexation agreement with Salem, a new landfill and the Spring Hollow Reservoir.
"No longer can they say these are a bunch of cowpokes from out in the county," he said.
Nickens, 48, faces no opposition in his bid for a fourth full term as the Vinton District representative.
The Democrat promised no new initiatives, but said he would "continue to do the best for the people of my district."
Nickens is president of the College of Health Sciences at Community Hospital.
Republicans have until June 8 to chose a candidate in the Vinton District.
Garrett is seeking to unseat Republican Lee Eddy, who beat him four years ago in the Windsor Hills District.
Garrett, a retired WSLS-TV personality, said he would like to help bring to fruition such projects as the landfill and reservoir that he helped initiate during his tenure from 1986-89.
He made a point of not criticizing Eddy. "I like what I see with the board, and I would like to be back on there and help move the county forward."
Democrats also nominated House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell of Vinton in the 14th House District. Cranwell has no announced opposition.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB