Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 16, 1993 TAG: 9309160030
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"It's kind of devastating for us, but we will survive," said Councilwoman Elizabeth Bowles. "It will be a difficult situation, but I am glad for Bev."
Council member Howard Musser is in the hospital, recovering from a stroke. Councilman James Harvey will enter the hospital next week for surgery for lung cancer.
"With Jimmy and Howard's problems, this has come at a bad time for us," Bowles said.
Council will choose Fitzpatrick's successor for nine months. And then voters, in a special election in May, will select the person to fill the final two years of his unexpired term. That person will take office July 1.
Fitzpatrick was elected to his second four-year term on council in May 1992.
The names of several possible successors surfaced Wednesday, but council members said it's far too early to speculate on the choice.
Among those mentioned were James Trout, a former council member, and Steve Goodwin, who sought the Democratic nomination for a council seat last year.
"I'm sure council will have a lot of conversation about that," Harvey said. "But I am not prepared to talk about that publicly at this point."
Bowles said council probably will compile a list of former candidates and civic leaders as potential replacements.
Council then will have to decide whether to appoint someone who wants to run for the final two years in Fitzpatrick's term or a civic leader willing to serve for nine months but not in running for the post, she said.
The city charter requires council to fill the vacancy within 30 days after Fitzpatrick's resignation becomes effective Oct. 15.
The special election to fill Fitzpatrick's unexpired term will be held in connection with the regular council election.
This means that four members, a majority of the seven-member council, will be elected in May. The seats of Fitzpatrick, Harvey, Musser and William White, all Democrats, will be up for election.
White has said he will seek re-election in May, but the political future of Harvey and Musser is in doubt. They said they haven't made a decision.
Musser is a candidate for commissioner of revenue in the November election. If he wins, he will have to resign his council seat by Jan. 1. He has been in the hospital almost three weeks.
The Rev. Carl Tinsley, chairman of the city Democratic Committee, said he doubts Harvey and Musser will be candidates in May.
The terms of Mayor David Bowers and the two Republicans, Bowles and Delvis "Mac" McCadden, end June 30, 1996.
Fitzpatrick's departure will be a loss for council because of his background in economic development and his respect in the community, White said. "Anytime you lose someone with that frame of reference, it hurts."
Fitzpatrick's resignation is a "tremendous loss," McCadden said. "He is very popular and his heart is in Roanoke. And he is a very neutral and moderating influence on council."
"I wish him well, but I think we can find other people with business expertise to replace him," Tinsley said.
James Arend, chairman of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, said he is sorry to lose Fitzpatrick as a business advocate on council. But he thinks this demonstrates how important Fitzpatrick's new job is.
"He has been a strong voice for economic development on council, but I believe his contribution on a broader scale will help to make up for this loss," Arend said.
by CNB