Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 30, 1994 TAG: 9406300105
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Long
``All I remember is they were very persuasive. It was quite an honor, obviously, to be asked,'' he said.
Hancock told then-Councilman Jim Neblett, chairman of the nominating committee, he was unsure whether he would seek a full term the following year. ``I think I told him I'd see how things went.''
Turned out, they went well. Town voters re-elected Hancock in 1986, 1988, 1990 and 1992. He decided not to run again this year, and completes his current term today.
``I'm really going to miss it. I really love the job,'' he said. ``I just felt it was time.''
Andy Graham, a 24-year council veteran, will succeed Hancock. Graham held off announcing for the mayor's race until he knew that Hancock would not run again.
Neblett said Hancock was originally considered not for the post of mayor, but for town attorney. Council tied on hiring Hancock for that job. Then-Mayor Raymond Ratcliffe broke the tie by voting for Frank Terwilliger, who still serves as town attorney.
When Ratcliffe died in September 1985, before the end of his term, Neblett brought up Hancock's name again. This time, he got the nod. Town Council appointed him Oct. 7, 1985.
Though he's leaving the mayor's post, he still holds one office. He's currently chairman of the 9th District Democratic Committee, even though he grew up in predominately-Republican Carroll County between Hillsville and Fancy Gap.
``Some of my favorite people are Republicans, including my mother,'' he said.
During his years as mayor, he kept a photo on his office wall in the Municipal Building of his swearing-in ceremony. With him in the picture is his wife, Carol, and their son, Matthew, now 14 and a lot taller than in the photo - almost as tall as his father.
Hancock said he hopes to spend more time with his family now. He and Carol will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary in July.
While in college, Hancock worked at Pulaski Furniture Corp. where his father had worked for years and his brother still works. He also worked summers for the Gilmer, Sadler, Ingram, Sutherland & Hutton law firm while attending law school at the University of Richmond. He got a permanent position there when he graduated in 1977.
One of the most important changes Hancock said he has seen since becoming mayor is the way citizens felt about Pulaski.
``When I came in, I guess one of the biggest concerns that I had was that there seemed to be a real pervasive attitude of negativism about the town,'' he said. ``You know, Pulaski is a wonderful place. I can't imagine any place I'd rather live.''
In the years that followed, Pulaski took steps to spruce itself up to match the mountains and other natural beauty around it.
The town created an historic district to help preserve some of its vintage buildings, and later expanded it. Pulaski was the first community in Western Virginia to become affiliated with the national Main Street program, Hancock said. Next came plans to refurbish a train depot given to the town by the Norfolk Southern Corp., and extend New River Trail State Park to it.
In the past year or so, the Main Street program has scored many successes in attracting new business downtown. Town officials dedicated the station on June 11 when an estimated 10,000 people visited Pulaski for a variety of Depot Day activities.
Industrial growth followed, including expansion at Pulaski Furniture, Renfro Corp., Diversified Apparel, Magnox Inc. and Jefferson Mills, often with support from the town in the form of low-interest loans from Urban Development Action Grant funds. The town secured a federal UDAG grant for economic development years ago, something Hancock calls ``one of the best things that ever happened to us'' because it provided a pool for loaning money to other businesses. C&P Telephone also chose Pulaski for a directory assistance facility.
The biggest controversy during his time as mayor involved rezoning an area off Memorial Drive for a shopping center.
Hancock cast the deciding vote, breaking a 4-4 tie, in favor of the rezoning that paved the way for what is now the Wal-Mart shopping center. ``If we had turned our back on Wal-Mart, we would have missed a great economic development opportunity,'' Hancock said.
The issue prompted Don Crispin, who also leaves council Thursday, to run for a council seat four years ago. Crispin opposed the rezoning but, Hancock said, ``I admire anybody who's willing to serve in a job like this .. It's extremely time-consuming.''
Other highlights of the past nine years include the start of the 911 emergency communications system, street and utilities improvements and, more recently, an emphasis on improving the town's aging water and sewer systems. Graham, as the new mayor, is likely to continue that emphasis since he has been one of those expressing the need for water and sewer fixes while on council.
``I hope we've made progress in the last nine years,'' Hancock said. ``We can't stand still .. If we do, we're doomed. The greatest potential I think we have is taking advantage of what we've got here.''
by CNB