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

DATE: THURSDAY, April 28, 1994                   TAG: 9404280138
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

GREEN HAS 11 REASONS FOR SEEKING RE-ELECTION

When asked about his priorities for Salem, he came up with an impressive list of issues and problems he thinks City Council needs to keep working on.

Green hopes he can continue as a member of Salem City Council and help solve the issues he identified.

He is seeking re-election May 3 along with Carl E. Tarpley Jr. A newcomer in the council race is the Republican candidate, Garry Lautenschlager. All members of council now are independents.

Green is serving his fifth four-year term and his 10th consecutive two-year term as vice mayor.

He listed 11 items he regarded as front-burner issues or problems facing Salem. Most of them focus on improving government services such as expanding water and sewer, controlling storm water, street widening and improving waste disposal and recycling.

Green also targets improvements to the school system, industrial development and valleywide cooperation - and he supports a municipal swimming pool.

"Swimming is one of the most beneficial exercises available," he said.

If a swimming pool is built, he said, it should be enclosed so it can be used year-round.

Green, who once operated a pool, said a pool that could be used 12 months of the year would be useful not only for recreational swimming but also for rehabilitation and training.

One of the top issues in Salem is the coming referendum on building a new baseball stadium.

Green said he supports the construction of a stadium provided it can be done without a tax increase.

In industrial development, Green said he supports Salem's seeking "clean" industries, those "with minimal visual and pollution . . . impact."

However, Salem has limited land for industrial development and most of the open land in the city is "under intense scrutiny by developers for residential usage," he said.

Green said he supports valleywide cooperation and thinks various groups formed to market the Roanoke Valley should be able to show prospects the area's available sites.

"Employment salaries benefit the entire valley," he said.

On the perception of Salem being a "sports center," Green said there is great interest in sports everywhere and that Salem's citizens have supported the facilities the city has provided.

Television, he said, has brought sports close to people of all ages and this closeness has generated a desire to participate.

"It is impossible to play in the streets as I did many years ago," he said.

Organized recreational groups have pushed the city into building parks, playgrounds, picnic areas and a football stadium and he said he supports this trend.

"Organized athletic activities also allows our children to have a physical and mental outlet which is not only safe, but also good for them in the long run," he said.

Green said he relaxes with cryptograms, numerical and alphabetical puzzles and diagramless crosswords.

He is a member of the American Cryptogram Association and the Lions International Puzzle Club.

Additionally, he engages in bicycling, hiking, reading, map collecting, travel and ethnic foods.

\ NAME: W.M. "Mac" Green.

\ BIRTH: Oct. 31, 1925; Connersville, Ind. Moved to Roanoke in 1926; lived in Roanoke County and several other places in Virginia before moving to Salem in 1933.

\ OCCUPATION: Owner of Valley Mattress in Salem. Has been in various businesses on Salem's Main Street for 48 years.

\ FAMILY: Married to Anne Marie Green, director of community relations for Roanoke County. Four children - Michael of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.; Mark of Eugene, Ore.; Michele of Richmond; and Emily Anne at home.

\ EDUCATION: Andrew Lewis High School, Roanoke College, Hampden-Sydney College and technical schools while serving in the U.S. Navy.

\ OTHER PUBLIC OFFICES: Formerly was civil defense coordinator for Salem.

\ CIVIC ACTIVITIES: The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Scottish Society of the Virginia Highlands. Green also is a blood donor, was a Father of the Year for Family Life in 1992, a charter member of the Salem Jaycees, the Salem Lions Club and has been active in the Boy Scouts in Salem.

Keywords:
POLITICS