Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 29, 1993 TAG: 9312290244
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Harris said he wants to make sure that taxpayers, homeowners and average citizens get their money's worth - and that common sense is the guiding principle in city government.
He also called for cooperation among Roanoke Valley localities - not conflict and squabbles.
Harris is seeking the Democratic nomination in the March 1 primary.
Harris began his campaign in bitterly cold weather under a covered walkway at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Southwest Roanoke.
A School Board member for two years, Harris said he chose the site because he wanted to underscore his commitment to the quality of schools and the well-being of the city's children.
And it also underscored his Roanoke roots.
Harris attended Woodrow Wilson - then called a junior high school - and so did his father. Harris said he hopes that his sons, ages 3 1/2 and 2, will go to the same school.
There was another reason for choosing the school. Tuesday was Woodrow Wilson's birthday. The former president once said government should be the eyes and voice of its constituents. Harris said he shares that philosophy.
Harris, 28, is making his first try for elected office. But he has long been interested in politics, having majored in political science at Radford University before becoming a Baptist minister.
Flanked by family and relatives, Harris said his campaign will focus on public safety, good schools, jobs and common-sense government.
Roanoke's economic future and creation of more jobs depend on governmental cooperation in the valley, he said.
"We must be willing to extend the hand of friendship so we can work together and build a better future," he said.
Harris is running because he wants to broaden his involvement in city affairs.
"I was born and raised here. I want to make a contribution," he said.
Harris would not criticize current council members or say whether he disagrees with any of their decisions. He said he will run a positive campaign, focusing on the future rather than the past.
Another candidate, Linda Wyatt - a teacher and former president of the Roanoke Education Association - confirmed Tuesday that she will run for council.
Wyatt said she will have a news conference next week to formally announce her candidacy. Wyatt is a member of the board of directors of the Virginia Education Association and the National Education Association.
On the ballot in the primary election will be four council seats, all held by Democrats: John Edwards, James Harvey, Howard Musser and William White.
White will seek a new term; Edwards and Harvey are expected to run; Musser has not disclosed his plans.
Former Councilman James Trout also is seeking the Democratic nomination for one of the seats.
Republicans will choose their nominees at a mass meeting, the method traditionally used by both parties to select candidates.
GOP leaders expect to have a full state of candidates for the May election. Republicans hold only two council seats, but they have been encouraged by the recent victory of Gov.-elect George Allen.
\ NELSON HARRIS\ CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE\ \ Professional: Minister of Ridgewood Baptist Church, Roanoke. Former pastor of Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Bent Mountain.\ \ Hometown: Roanoke. Education: Radford University, degree in political science; Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, master of divinity.\ \ Family: Wife, Cathleen; and children John, 3 1/2, and Andrew, 2.\ \ Civic Activities: Roanoke School Board, Roanoke Legislative Affairs Committee, Roanoke Special Events Committee, National Conference of Christians and Jews. \ Ecumenical Activities: Roanoke Valley Baptist Ministers Conference, president; Roanoke Valley Interfaith Ministers Conference, vice president.\ \ Quote: "I want to be the eyes and voice of the small-business person, the eyes and voice of our school children and their families, the eyes and voice of our senior citizens."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB