Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 21, 1994 TAG: 9404210163
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY BELL STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"Vinton is a clean and wholesome place to live. We were fortunate to bring up our daughter here. The community has been good to us," she says.
Sink, a housewife and retired bank vice president, has always been involved in civic and volunteer activities. When she recently accepted early retirement, many of the residents she has worked with on committees encouraged her to run for a seat on Vinton Town Council.
"I have been interested in serving on council for a while. But I never had time until now," Sink says. Her daughter is now grown, she has cut back on some volunteer activities, and she has set her professional life aside.
"I want to do a good job. Any job I do, I give of my entire self. If I'm elected, you can be sure I'll work hard at it. I'm not really retired, by any means."
Sink is the only female contender among five for two seats on Vinton Council. If elected, she will serve with the distinction of being the town's first woman council member. But Sink maintains that gender is not an issue.
"I'm not running because I'm a woman. But the female point of view is very important. Many of Vinton's unsung heroes are women."
Sink does not identify with any particular group of residents. She feels she has strong support in the community.
"In the activities I've been involved in, I've come to learn that Vinton has many hard-working people who feel committed to the town, especially senior citizens. I have worked beside them, and I feel I can represent them fairly," she says.
During the 30 years she has lived in Vinton, Sink has twice served as president of Vinton's Chamber of Commerce and twice as vice president. She helped with Vinton's Centennial celebration, and volunteers for the Vinton Police Department's needy family program. Sink serves as a board member of the Vinton Rescue Squad and enjoys helping with the town's annual bluegrass festival.
"Being on Town Council carries a lot of responsibility with it. Each person on council gets only one vote, but that one vote has to represent many people."
Sink feels the largest issue facing the town is annexation.
As does each of the other candidates, Sink said she can make an informed decision only after studying the details of a consultant's report, due this spring.
"Betty Sink doesn't have all the answers, but she's willing to do the homework and make the best decision for the people she represents," the candidate says.
The possibility that Vinton will pursue annexation of a portion of Roanoke County will likely be one of the first matters to come before council after the election.
"We need to give our people a timely answer on this issue," Sink says. "It has been talked about for a long time, and the citizens would like to know more about it and have a say about it."
Sink also is interested in helping the residents of Midway.
"I think the town of Vinton needs to assist in any way possible to protect the property of the people of Midway," she says.
During the flood of 1985, she helped collect clothing and furnishings for those in Midway who lost their possessions when water covered the neighborhood. She has stayed in touch with some of the residents there and feels she knows their concerns.
Sink supports applying for grants for water and sewer improvements in Midway; but in the absence of federal and state funds, she would like the town to stand by the residents of Midway with money and other support.
To acquaint herself with the residents of Vinton, Sink has been visiting groups and talking about her candidacy with anyone who will listen. She will be knocking on doors and phoning voters as the election draws near.
Her attitude about the race? "You bet, I think I have strong support in the community. But what will be, will be."\ \ NAME: Betty P. Sink\ \ AGE: 54\ \ PROFESSION: Bank manager/bank vice president, early retirement.\ \ EDUCATION: High school graduate. Attended airline school in Kansas City, Mo. Community college banking courses.\ \ FAMILY: Married to Clifton "Bill" Sink. One daughter, Tammy.\ \ CIVIC AFFILIATIONS: Chairwoman of the Stewardship Committee at Waverly Place Baptist Church.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB