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

DATE: SATURDAY, April 23, 1994                   TAG: 9404250140
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: CURRENT   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

STARNES, WORRELL SQUARE OFF AT RADFORD CANDIDATES FORUM

The mayor also took aim at Worrell's claims that he's the candidate of change and cited the city's low taxes and good schools. "Are these the things you would change?" he asked.

Worrell responded that Starnes "has had 14 years to show what he can do." Mentioning his 45 years in public service, Worrell said the city needs to "move forward" and spend money on schools and other pressing needs, including a new public safety building.

The present police headquarters is "deplorable," he said. He also supported plans for a new recreation building in Radford.

Worrell and Starnes also parted company on their vision for the Route 177 Corridor. The city has an agreement with Montgomery County to provide utilities in the corridor in exchange for a share of the county's tax revenues. Both opposed the plan in council votes because it permanently blocks the city from annexing the corridor.

"I think we have locked the door to any future growth," Worrell said of the Route 177 pact.

Starnes said he sees the corridor as "an orderly development area."

The two diverged widely at a later forum sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police, where Starnes talked at length of the need to hold the line on various police-related requests - including a call for more officers - that would raise costs.

Worrell supported hiring additional officers, a sick-leave payback plan for retirees and a so-called "25/50" retirement plan that would let police retire at age after 25 years of service.

Starnes said the city can't afford 25/50 and "50 years of age is too young to retire."

At both forums, both Corn and Starnes cautioned against dipping into the city's reserve funds to finance day-to-day spending.

Three candidates are seeking two seats on council in the May 3 election. Councilwoman and vice mayor Polly Corn, who's seeking re-election, promised to explore "innovative ways of meeting our financial needs." At the later forum, though, Corn said she saw no way to avoid a tax increase next year.

"We will not put another budget together without raising taxes," she said.

Corn also said the city should court smaller businesses and support existing ones to create jobs.

Council candidate Todd Ratliff, a local jeweler, pledged to be "a good listener." He said since the city can no longer expand, it must "make the best of what we've got."

Ratliff said if people are willing to pay for a new recreation center and other amenities, city council should listen.

To attract new businesses to the city, he said the city should look at establishing an enterprise zone and obtaining low-interest loans.

At the later forum, Ratliffe indicated he'd support additional police for the city and a buy-back plan for sick leave.

Radford University Telecommunications Director Bill Yerrick, who's also seeking a council seat, said the city should look into greater cooperation with the university, especially with the schools. He also said the city should not let tight budgets "ransack our school system."

Yerrick said he would work to open campus facilities to community events and would push for a joint city-university venture to build a parking deck.

He also called for more regional cooperation.

At the later forum, Yerrick also supported the call for a new public safety building, but conceded that "revenue is another question."

In addition to the two forums Thursday, candidates for council and mayor also have appeared on local radio programs this week to air their views.

Keywords:
POLITICS