Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 16, 1993 TAG: 9308170677
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Roanoke City Councilman William White has a quiet style. He doesn't talk a lot or engage in political grandstanding. He'd rather study the city's financial reports than make a speech.
But when he does talk, White gets attention, especially from top city administrators and council members.
In just three years, he has emerged as an influential council member who is expected to play an increasingly important role in city government.
Frequently, White asks questions that make City Manager Bob Herbert and other administrators squirm - particularly on financial issues, where he uses his professional background and skills as a certified public accountant to get to the bottom line.
"There's no need to be down there if you aren't going to ask the questions you want to," White said.
When White won a council seat in 1990, he ran on a Democratic Party ticket with incumbents James Harvey and Howard Musser.
But he broke with them in the 1992 mayor's race.
White endorsed David Bowers in his successful fight with Musser for the Democratic nomination. Musser was the heavy favorite, with the backing of almost all Democratic officeholders.
White took a risk by endorsing Bowers.
"Knowing Howard, I knew he had worked just as hard for the city as anyone else," White said. "But at certain times, you have to make choices, and that's what I did. . . . I think [Bowers] is cut out of the cloth that you get mayors from. I want to work with him in a second term after he gets more experience."
Relations between White and his former running mates were strained immediately after the mayoral election, but most of the tension has subsided.
White and Bowers remain close allies - a relationship that could have long-term benefits for both men.
White, 46, can help win support for Bowers among black voters. And Bowers can lend support to projects and programs that are favored by White. Bowers said he feels closer to White politically and personally than to any other council member.
White said the biggest change in his life since he was elected has been his hectic schedule. The time-consuming nature of the post has forced him to drop some civic and social activities.
"There just isn't enough time to do everything," he said. Sometimes, it takes several hours to read all the reports for a council meeting.
But White has tried to save time for his family and for recreation, which include swimming, walking and lawn work.
During the summer, he swims often, usually after work. He likes to walk in the fall and winter. White also enjoys puttering around the yard, mowing the grass and growing flowers.
"I also try to set aside time for my family, but it's tougher to do now," he said. He has a daughter who's a senior at Patrick Henry High School and a son who's a senior at Norfolk State University.
As the third black person ever elected to council, White said he is sensitive to the black community's concerns and needs.
"I think I have a responsibility to raise issues that might not be brought up by others," he said.
White frequently questions city officials about their efforts to hire and promote blacks.
Some opponents of the Wells Avenue widening see that project as a racial issue, and they have complained that White didn't take up their cause and fight the plan.
"He hasn't done anything for us on Wells Avenue," said the Rev. Charles Green, president of the Roanoke chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
But another black leader, the Rev. Carl Tinsley, defends White and says he has enormous respect among black residents.
"People have a lot confidence in him. He has strong support," said Tinsley, chairman of the city Democratic Party. "Bill levels with you, and people like that approach."
White has paid close attention to finances since he was elected.
"His expertise on the budget and finances is his strong suit," Councilman Delvis "Mac" McCadden said. "He has helped me immeasurably in understanding the budget."
McCadden said White's prior experience on the School Board has been beneficial to council on school issues.
White is the strongest supporter of city schools on council, Bowers said. White pushed successfully for more money for schools this fiscal year.
White has also given a lot of attention to trying to make sure that minority businesses and local workers have an opportunity to work on city projects.
White and Bowers have pressed for the hiring of small black- and women-owned businesses and local laborers for part of the work on the Hotel Roanoke project.
Amid much publicity this spring, city officials and Virginia Tech created a special team to help ensure that local businesses and laborers have an opportunity to get some of the hotel work.
Harvey, who is chairman of the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center Commission, said officials had planned such a move before the issue was raised by White, Bowers and labor unions.
But White remains skeptical about the sincerity of the effort.
"I feel like everybody is making a good effort on paper, but I'm not convinced that they are all committed to it," White said. "I'm not trying to break up the old-boy network. I'm just saying it is time to share the work."
White said city officials need more sensitivity and common sense in dealing with the hotel and other issues.
A common-sense approach would have helped avoid other controversies in the past year, such as the flap over the city's pay plan, he said.
As city manager, Herbert has to share the blame for the controversies, White said.
"He gets the largest check, and he is the chief administrative officer. I know he has a lot of responsibilities, but some of those things should never have happened."
White said his first term on council has been a little tougher than expected, because he's learned that one member can't get things accomplished without the support of at least three members.
"You have only one vote, and you can't change everything you would like," he said.
And what about his political ambitions?
He will seek re-election next year.
But would he like to be mayor?
No. White said he doesn't have the temperament that's needed in the post, because he wants to be able to speak his mind if he disagrees with other council members.
He also said he wouldn't have time to be mayor because of the demands of running his own business.
How about the House of Delegates?
Yes, he said - but that won't be likely until one of the city's two Democratic delegates gives up his seat.
\ William White Sr.\ \ Age: 46.\ \ Hometown: Hot Springs, Ark.\ \ Education: Hot Springs, Ark., public schools; University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, B.S. in business administration.\ \ Employment: A partner in Saunders and White Certified Public Accountants, which has offices in Roanoke, Richmond and Norfolk.\ \ Civic activities: Roanoke School Board (1984-90), City Council (1990- ); Virginia Health Services Cost Review Commission, Roanoke Economic Development Commission, Roanoke Industrial Revenue Bond Authority, Northwest Revitalization Corp.\ \ Family: Wife, Joyce; son, William Jr., who is to graduate next semester from Norfolk State University; and daughter, Erika, a senior at Patrick Henry High School.\ \ Residence: 3698 Partridge Lane N.W.\ \ Last Book Read: A book by William Du Bois, a black scholar and historian, but he doesn't remember the title.\ \ Favorite Movie: Not a movie fan, but says Alex Haley's "Roots" was his favorite television series.\ \ Quote: "We have lost a generation of young African Americans; we can't afford to lose another generation. Education is the key, not building more jails. I am not criticizing Roanoke. It is a problem nationwide, and it has to do with school systems."
Keywords:
PROFILE
by CNB