Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 4, 1993 TAG: 9306040287
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Jim Moore of Blacksburg, who represents District A, already has said he will run for re-election. He received the nomination and the party's blessings last month.
And only one candidate, James M. "Jimmy" Smith of Elliston, has said he is seeking the nomination for District C.
Other candidates could emerge, said Steve Cochran, vice chairman of the Democratic Party, but it's not likely.
"We've explored all the possibilities," Cochran said.
If nominated, Smith would be running against Republican incumbent Joe Stewart.
And finally, there's District D, the seat held by Republican Henry Jablonski, who's running for re-election.
Rumor has it Jim Martin, who works at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, will be vying for that one, though he has said he won't make a decision until Saturday.
"No one has come forward officially," Cochran said.
Martin, who ran against Jablonski four years ago and was defeated by about 240 votes, said Thursday he was still thinking things through.
Smith, 53, is taking his first dive into politics.
He said Thursday that he's thought about running for a board seat for some time, but he didn't decide for sure until three weeks ago.
"Well, for the past two or three years it seems that people feel like the Montgomery County line stops at the top of Christiansburg Mountain. . . . It extends all the way down through our district."
Smith, who works in quality control at General Electric in Salem, says he hopes to give his district more of a voice.
He also hopes to help the county work on an economic development plan; and he has an interest in the schools, "making sure the students prepare themselves for higher education."
Smith says he has supported Stewart's efforts on the board.
"If I win the nomination and I'm defeated, I'll still support Joe," Smith aid.
The seven-member board is now split between Democrats and Republicans, with one independent.
Larry Linkous severed ties with the Democratic Party last month after he went to a Republican mass meeting.
Saturday's meeting will be held in the third-floor courtroom of the Montgomery County Courthouse in Christiansburg.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB