Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 1, 1994 TAG: 9405040004
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Elizabeth Obenshain
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Long
If we were half as smart as our mothers say we are, we would have taken most of the hot air and newsprint being spent on Hillary and Bill and used it to stir up some robust debate on our own communities here in the New River Valley this spring.
On Tuesday, the towns and one city in the New River Valley will elect mayors and council members. There has been a remarkable lack of interest and lack of debate and even lack of candidates in most of our communities this year.
That's ironic, because our local town councils probably have more impact on our lives than Bill or George or Ronald ever had.
Think of the physical landmarks that color your life every day or the issues that make you good and hot under the collar.
Chances are they were determined by zoning changes or local street projects or decisions on funding a downtown project - approved by your local council.
We are fortunate in this valley to have communities that have remarkably distinct personalities.
Blacksburg with its manicured, college-town feel, its boutiques and little restaurants; Pulaski with its Victorian houses and determined struggle to save its downtown; Newport with its turn-of-the century charm; Christiansburg with its determination NOT to be Blacksburg and its retailing boom.
This diversity has survived - sometimes intentionally and sometimes through benign neglect of the local councils.
This spring, each of these communities could have benefitted from debate on the future.
Blacksburg, although it is prosperous and its citizens seem happy with the town's image and direction, has seen much of its commercial base disappear. Shops and department stores are an essential part of this town's quality of life - not to mention its tax base.
There has always been some degree of friction between the town government and business interests. Should we be searching for a way in which the town could enhance opportunities for small business owners whose financial risk and long hours make life more enjoyable for the rest of us?
The town is also embarked on a technological adventure with its Electronic Village, drawing national attention and hyping the town's high tech connections. The opportunities are vast - but there is still a big leap to be made between the dream and the reality, and making that leap will cost dollars and manpower.
But Town Council's incumbents only face one challenger this year, local businessman Ray Chisholm, and debate has been limited.
Christiansburg, defiantly determined not to be another Blacksburg, is facing some soul searching about the future of its downtown, the need to protect its architectural heritage, even the basics of beautifying and sprucing up its entrances.
All this raises the question of the town's identity and future.
The foresight of Town Manager John Lemley several years ago brought the town a commercial base, tax revenue and a new `'downtown'' when it annexed the fast-developing U.S. 460 corridor at the New River Valley Mall and the Market Place. And its population continues to grow as the town becomes a moderately priced bedroom community for Montgomery County.
But what will happen to Christiansburg when the ``smart road'' is built and commuters between Blacksburg and Roanoke can simply bypass the town's commercial strips?
Does it make the town leaders nervous that the new Roanoke phone directory has Blacksburg phone numbers but not Christiansburg's? Will the future simply detour around Christiansburg because its leaders have been satisfied with the town's development as a place you must pass through rather than a place to go to?
The three Christiansburg incumbents face only one challenger this year - a 19-year-old Virginia Tech student who has raised issues of the town's future. Tuesday will tell if the town voters are also concerned with these issues.
In neighboring Radford - well, we all know its major challenge. It needs a bridge.
But emergency surprises aside, at least Radford has had a fairly lively campaign this year with two candidates for mayor and three candidates for two council seats. They have debated issues such as the city's growth and its future tax base, financial support for the city schools, a new police building.
Pulaski, also, has been a rousing exception to the general ennui about the municipal elections. The town has nine - yes, nine - candidates for four seats as well as two candidates for mayor.
What has prompted the interest?
Perhaps its the town's struggle to save its downtown. A remarkable combination of volunteer, local government and business efforts have rebuilt the downtown's historic courthouse, refurbished its Victorian train station and brought little shops and restaurants back to life in Pulaski. Many in the community seem to feel a personal stake in the downtown's future.
But answers still aren't easy. How much should the town underwrite efforts to revive the downtown? Can these fledgling stores survive along Main Street without the steady influx of tourists that cities such as Lexington depend on to bolster downtown retailing?
At least in Pulaski, voters will have a choice.
The town of Floyd and the small towns of Giles County also face serious issues - many of them tied to the pressure for growth and development spilling over into their communities. Interstate 73's future path could have a huge impact on communities in both these counties.
Growth could be a positive issue locally IF local residents had confidence their local governments would shape and direct that growth in positive ways rather than letting growth bulldoze into their communities. But planning and developing ordinances for land use, zoning and preservation of historic districts are difficult and controversial issues that many town councils avoid until it is too late.
It doesn't take many of us to affect a local election where votes are counted in hundreds rather than thousands. Just remember, come next year, you've lost your complaining rights if you didn't get out and vote.
And you know you're going to gripe, so go vote.
Elizabeth Obenshain is the Roanoke Times & World-News' New River editor.
by CNB