Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 28, 1994 TAG: 9403280018
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWAYNE YANCEY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"As it is now," Harris says, "Victory Stadium, with its crumbling concrete and general disrepair, is a growing liability for the city."
But, he says, the stadium isn't so far gone that it should be torn down. "It could be rehabilitated," he says.
Harris concedes he's not sure how much it would cost to fix up the stadium. However, "I realize that a complete rehab of this facility may have to come in several phases. One million dollars to begin the process is affordable, and it makes sense that we do something with this public facility rather than continue to neglect it."
Harris, in fact, predicts a bright future for a fixed-up stadium. In addition to high school and college events, he says that if the city paves the parking lot, part of it "can be dedicated to a Rollerblade skating area for our youth."
Duerk, White clash over appointments
Republican Barbara Duerk and Democrat William White tangled at a candidates' forum last week over whether City Council is open enough in how it appoints citizens to various boards and commissions.
It began with a question about what the seven candidates' top priorities would be, if elected. Duerk said she used to think it would be regional cooperation, but now believes it needs to be cooperation among council members.
Specifically, she said, council decisions should be less partisan, especially when it comes to appointing citizens to various study groups.
"Right now, City Council appoints people as they see fit, and people in the community aren't aware of the openings," Duerk said.
She said the city should advertise all vacancies on volunteer boards so citizens can apply for them.
But White, the only real incumbent on the ballot in the May 3 election (Democrat John Edwards is an incumbent of sorts; he was appointed last winter) challenged Duerk's assertion that council appoints only a chosen few to volunteer boards.
"You're getting bad information," he said. "We are constantly seeking citizens to serve on boards and commissions. You just need to check your facts before you give your information out."
Duerk, though, stuck by her assertion - although she wouldn't provide any details.
Duerk pushes police on bikes
Duerk did, however, single out an example of what she considers a closed-minded City Council.
Speaking of her role as a South Roanoke neighborhood activist, Duerk said, "I went to City Council and asked for police on bikes. They said no. I went to the Police Department, and they said they'd investigate, and now we have two police officers on bicycles as part of a COPE [community-oriented policing effort] unit."
What qualifies Duerk to be a neighborhood activist? "I'm a mom," she says.
When she campaigns at community forums, she dons running shoes and ties on an apron emblazoned "Roanoke Proud."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB