Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 12, 1993 TAG: 9308120159
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Long
The announcement fit the theme of Terry's talk to the local Democrats, which focused on the need to create more jobs and expand the state's tax base.
Bernard Wampler of Pulaski, president of Pulaski Furniture Co. and former president of the Virginia Manufacturer's Association, has agreed to serve as co-chairman of the Business Leaders for Terry, according to a news release from the Terry campaign. The other co-chair is Lloyd Noland of Newport News, president of Noland Companies.
Terry pointed out that many of these business leaders include former supporters of Republican candidates.
The Washington Post on Wednesday also reported that many longtime Virginia Republicans are throwing their financial support to Terry. With $2.7 million in campaign funds, Terry had a commanding 10-1 lead over Republican George Allen when finance reports were last filed.
Terry said that business leaders chose to endorse her campaign because they believe she "offers the best opportunity for Virginia moving forward."
The Terry news release quoted John Hancock, president of Roanoke Electric Steel, as saying that business leaders are comfortable with Terry.
"They respect her intelligence, her knowledge of business issues, and they know Mary Sue will work with the business community to create jobs and economic growth for all Virginians," Hancock said.
Other Western Virginians included on Terry's list included: Warner Dalhouse, chairman of First Union National Bank of Virginia in Roanoke; Elbert H. Waldron, chairman of Fralin and Waldron Inc. of Roanoke; and William Franck, chairman emeritus of Tultex Corp. of Martinsville.
Terry said she doesn't think the formation of the group will leave her open to charges of catering to special interests because all Virginians benefit from the creation of new jobs.
Ken Stroupe, a spokesman for Allen, said the Republican candidate had released his own list of business supporters in April and has plans in the next few days to release a list of 100 Northern Virginia businessmen who have each pledged $10,000 to his campaign.
Western Virginians on Allen's April list included: Sam Lionberger, president of Lionberger Construction Co. of Roanoke, and Jay Langhammer, president of Fabricated Metals Inc. of Roanoke.
Stroupe called The Washington Post story "the epitome of tabloid journalism." He said the Post reporter had talked with Republican business people who supported Allen but refused to include their comments in the story.
On Monday in Richmond, Terry said that jobs would be her top priority if she is elected governor and that she would make the business community an active participant in creating the state's economic policy.
At the breakfast with 75 Democrats at the Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center at Tech on Wednesday, Terry repeated her call for the creation of a 21-member state Board of Trade and Commerce. The board of government leaders and private businessmen would set economic policy and work to create new jobs, she said.
Terry said the governor would chair the board, which for the first time would ask business leaders to move from advisers to government to policy makers with government.
While the state faces problems like crime and health care, the "overarching issue" is jobs, Terry said.
Terry has said that businesses can only create jobs if government knows when and why to help and when and how to get out of the way.
On the role of governor, Terry said it is the chief executive's job to bring Virginians together and help people from the different regions of the state understand each other's problems.
It's easy for a politician from one part of the state to run against another part of the state, but when they get to Richmond they need to work with legislators from other regions if they are to accomplish anything, Terry said.
The key to moving the state forward is not the leadership of one person but for every person in Virginia to believe that he or she can make a difference, Terry said.
Following the breakfast, Terry toured Tech's Corporate Research Center, where Center Director Joe Meredith explained that the biggest problem the center faces is finding a way to pay for the construction of new buildings. "Venture funding is difficult to find in Virginia," Meredith said.
The existing six buildings at the center are 97 percent occupied by 20 companies that employ 600 people.
Terry was introduced Wednesday by state Sen. Madison Marye, D-Shawsville, who noted Terry's Southwest Virginia roots. "She was born and bred in a briar patch over there in Patrick County," Marye remarked.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB