Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 30, 1993 TAG: 9309300113
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWAYNE YANCEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
During a debate in the increasingly quarrelsome race for the House seat that Packett, the Democrat and a third-term Salem city councilman, billed himself as a "seasoned veteran" ready to look out for Western Virginia's interests in Richmond while labeling Republican Morgan Griffith as an "untested rookie" seeking his first public office. covers Salem, Southwest Roanoke County and eastern Montgomery County, Packett picked the former and Griffith the latter.
In between, they also took some shots at each other.
Packett, the Democrat and a third-term Salem city councilman, billed himself as a "seasoned veteran" ready to look out for Western Virginia's interests in Richmond while labeling Republican Morgan Griffith as an "untested rookie" seeking his first public office.
Several times during Tuesday's debate sponsored by the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce, Packett chided Griffith for listing a term as high school student body president at Andrew Lewis High School in the 1970s on his campaign literature.
"The choice is clear, a proven leader or a former student body president," Packett said. "What has Morgan Griffith done for you?"
But the 35-year-old Griffith, a Salem lawyer, pounded the 61-year-old Packett for being part of a "failed generation of leadership" that missed opportunities to create a high-wage economy in Western Virginia.
"We need somebody who's aggressive down in Richmond," Griffith said.
Griffith charged that Packett, despite his lengthy resume, hasn't done much. "He doesn't exhibit any evidence of leadership on Salem City Council. Although Salem is well-run, Mr. Packett is not the leader."
Griffith noted that all but one vote on Salem City Council during the past four years have been unanimous. "When there's only one vote where they weren't all voting together, it shows you they don't have different ideas coming up. His experience has not prepared him for the rough-and-tumble of the General Assembly."
To make sure Western Virginia gets heard in a body increasingly dominated by suburban legislators from eastern Virginia, "you've got to be willing to step on some toes," Griffith said.
But Packett countered that although his style may be quiet, it's just as effective. "I'm not screaming and hollering and beating my head against the wall, but I get things done for Salem."
He cited his push to set up low-frequency radio transmitters to beam tourist information to travelers coming through the Roanoke Valley. He predicted other valley governments will approve the idea by year's end. "This is the best thing to happen for tourism in this valley in 50 years - and they did it because of me," Packett said.
Otherwise, the candidates plowed little new ground on the issues:
The two candidates continued to spar over gun laws. Packett wants a five-day waiting period for buying handguns; Griffith doesn't, and Packett said the Republican is "tied to special interests" which he later said meant "the gun lobby."
Griffith continued to stump for Griffith noted that all but one vote on Salem City Council during the past four years have been unanimous. "When there's only one vote where they weren't all voting together, it shows you they don't have different ideas coming up. His experience has not prepared him for the rough-and-tumble of the General Assembly." routing a proposed Detroit-to-South Carolina interstate through the New River Valley as a way to spur economic growth. Packett ridiculed the idea as too long-range, but Griffith said that's what Western Virginia needs - more long-range ideas.
In turn, Packett repeated his call to convert part of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant into a fireworks factory. But Griffith noted it's illegal to make fireworks in Virginia and contended such jobs were likely to be low-wage, anyway. "We'll change the law," Packett answered, adding that any job involving explosives likely would be well-paying.
Griffith and Packett are seeking the seat now held by Del. Steven Agee, R-Salem, who is retiring.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB