Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 26, 1994 TAG: 9401260402
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
John Voit, a college instructor and personal investor, Tuesday became the first person to say he wants the GOP nomination for a Roanoke City Council seat in the May 3 election.
For six weeks, the Democrats have gotten most of the attention, with their plans for a primary and a series of announcements by candidates seeking the party's nomination.
But the GOP hopes to shift the focus to its candidates in the next three weeks.
Voit will seek the Republican nomination for the two-year term that was created by the resignation of former Vice Mayor Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr.
Voit, 37, is making his first try for elected office, but he has been active in GOP politics for years.
At a news conference attended by GOP leaders, Voit said he is running because he wants to help foster governmental cooperation in the Roanoke Valley and redirect school funding so more is spent on the needs of students and teachers.
"It amazes me that we spend increasing amounts of money on an inexorably expanding education bureaucracy at the expense of the classroom," he said.
He also promised to work to help reduce crime and stimulate economic growth.
Roanoke also must be prepared for the predicted exodus of people from large metropolitan areas to smaller communities, Voit said.
He favors the consolidation of localities in the Roanoke Valley, but he admits that is unlikely.
"If we cannot have consolidation, then it is essential to economic development that we at least have cooperation," he said. Not only within the valley, he said, but also with Botetourt County, Montgomery County and other localities.
Voit said he has appointed a committee to advise him about the issues and concerns of voters.
The panel is headed by Alvin Nash, who has led the effort to ensure that local and minority firms get part of the work on the Hotel Roanoke project, and Robert Stauffer, an associate professor of economics at Roanoke College.
Voit is an instructor at Virginia College, a private computer and electronics school.
His Democratic opponent will be either Councilman James Harvey or Linda Wyatt.
Voit said he is running for the two-year term because it offers a political newcomer the opportunity to make his case.
City Council may not be as glamorous as national politics, he said, but local politics have a greater impact on taxpayers and voters.
"It is at the local level that people have their most frequent and intimate contact with government," he said.
The Republicans are expected to have at least three and possibly four candidates for the four seats.
William Fralin, chairman of the city Republican Committee, said candidates will be selected at a Feb. 15 mass meeting.
\ JOHN VOIT\ \ Age: 37.\ \ Hometown: Roanoke.\ \ Education: Bachelor's degree in economics and urban studies, Roanoke College; master's degree in public administration, Georgia State University; additional studies in finance at George Washington University.
\ Professional: Personal investor and instructor at Virginia College. Former assistant manager for the Fleet Financial Group. Former corporate operations manager for Financial Centers of Georgia.
\ Political: Legislative aide to former Del. Ray Robrecht, R-Roanoke County; delegate to the Republican National Convention; member of Roanoke Republican Committee.
\ Community: Former member of the Roanoke Centennial Commission. Former recruitment and training manager for the Census Bureau.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB