Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 14, 1994                   TAG: 9403140065
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Dwayne Yancey
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL CAMPAIGN NOTES

Democrats and Republicans don't agree on many things. After all, they're not supposed to. But the city Democratic and Republican party chairmen last week did agree on one thing.

Many Roanoke civic groups are in the process of setting up candidates' forums before the City Council race. But with seven candidates running for four council seats, many civic groups aren't sure whom or where to call.

So the two party chairmen said civic groups should call them to help make arrangements. Roanoke Republican Chairman William Fralin can be reached at 989-0000, and Democratic Chairman Al Wilson at 345-8943.

\ Duerk for cheerleader?

Republican Barbara Duerk may be the only City Council candidate whose bumper-sticker slogan - Roanoke Proud - is written larger than her name.

The Planning Commission member and South Roanoke neighborhood activist also may be the only candidate who'll attempt to lead an audience in cheers.

At last week's candidates' forum before the Greater Raleigh Court Civic League, Duerk used her opening statement to try to rouse the crowd into a pep-rally frenzy.

"Are you proud to live in Roanoke?" she asked. A few people answered yes, most sat silent. "Let me hear that again!" Duerk replied, continuing the call-and-response several times before getting the volume she desired.

She also may be the only candidate to bring a visual aid with her on the campaign trail. She toted a large wooden wagon wheel, decorated with stickers - "medical," "financial," "cultural, "recreation," "education" and "transportation" - to make the case that Roanoke is the hub of Southwest Virginia.

\ Practice makes perfect

Being a preacher has its advantages in politics.

Take, for example, Nelson Harris, the School Board member and pastor of Ridgewood Baptist Church, who's one of the Democratic candidates.

After last week's Raleigh Court forum, the other candidates milled around in the reception hall of the church where the event was held.

But Harris was nowhere to be seen - or so it seemed.

Turns out he'd stepped outside, positioning himself at the door, so anyone leaving the building had to pass by him and shake his hand.

\ Priority No. 1

The Raleigh Court forum didn't produce much in the way of disagreements among the candidates, but it may have provided some insight into where they're coming from politically.

The candidates were asked what their No. 1 priority would be on council.

Their answers, much summarized:

For the two-year term:

\ John Voit (R): Regional cooperation.

\ Linda Wyatt (D): Education.

For the three four-year terms:

\ Barbara Duerk (R): Regional cooperation.

\ John Edwards (D): Jobs.

\ Nelson Harris (D): Making sure the city provides quality essential services.

\ John Parrott (R): Economic development.

\ William White (D): Providing hope for young people "who have given up, dropped out of school and dropped out of society." The best way to do that, he said, is through education.

Keywords:
POLITICS