Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 4, 1994 TAG: 9401040226
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
John Edwards, James Harvey, James Trout and Linda Wyatt are in the race.
Howard Musser is out.
The four candidates who made it official Monday will join the Rev. Nelson Harris and Councilman William White, who had said earlier they would run.
Musser, a council member for 12 years, said he won't run because he believes he has served long enough.
Musser has been in a wheelchair since he suffered a stroke this past summer, but he said his health was not a factor.
"Healthwise, I'm doing OK. I just feel it's time for a change," he said.
Monday was the deadline for filing for the Democratic primary.
On the ballot in the March 1 election will be four seats, all held by Democrats: Edwards, Harvey, Musser and White.
Edwards has been on council since November, when he was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Vice Mayor Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr.
There are two years remaining in Fitzpatrick's term, but Edwards will seek one of the three four-year terms.
On the other hand, Harvey, who has been on council for 12 years, will seek the two years remaining in Fitzpatrick's term.
Wyatt, a teacher and former president of the Roanoke Education Association, also will run for Fitzpatrick's unexpired term.
The remaining four candidates will vie for the three seats with four-year terms.
Trout is trying to make a political comeback by running on a campaign platform that he can get things accomplished.
He pointed to his record on economic growth, both as a council member and a former economic development engineer with Norfolk Southern Corp.
Trout served 16 years on council - from 1968 to 1976 and 1982 to 1990.
He chose the Virginia Museum of Transportation as the site for a news conference to announce his candidacy, because he helped found it during the early 1960s. He also helped acquire many of its exhibits.
The museum has become a tourist attraction, drawing thousands of people to Roanoke each year and providing a boost for the city's economy.
Trout also pointed to his role in helping to develop the Roanoke Centre for Industry and Technology, a city-owned industrial park off U.S. 460.
The centre has brought more than 2,000 jobs to the city and generates more than $1 million in taxes.
"A healthy business community provides not only the tax base to fuel our education system, but also provides the jobs that will keep our children in Roanoke after they finish school," Trout said. "Good schools and economic growth go hand in hand."
Trout also cited his work on the Franklin Road widening and the Second Street realignment, which will help solve some traffic problems in downtown.
"Roanoke has just completed the Franklin Road widening project at the intersection with Elm Avenue, just a stone's throw away from here," he said.
"The intersection and boulevard not only serve as the front door to the historic Old Southwest neighborhood, but is also the gateway to downtown Roanoke."
Trout said the Franklin Road area was filled with old and unsightly buildings, many of them vacant, before the highway project changed the landscape.
Trout also pointed to his work on the Second Street and Gainsboro Road project, which will provide new access to downtown.
Edwards and Harvey confirmed they will run, but they will hold off on formal announcements until later in the week.
Wyatt's plans are as yet unannounced, but she has filed.
This is the first time that the Democrats have used a primary in 25 years.
Republicans will choose their nominees before March 3 at a mass meeting - the method that is traditionally used by both parties to select their candidates. They have not set a date.
GOP leaders expect to have a full state of candidates for the May 3 election. Republicans now hold two council seats.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB