Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 17, 1994 TAG: 9411170135
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The supervisors chose Hobbs, 68, from among six applicants who interviewed for the job at a closed meeting Wednesday night. The interviews lasted three hours; the board made its decision in 15 minutes. All five members present voted for Hobbs.
The competition included a pastor who owns a plumbing and electrical business and a part-time psychology professor who runs a chain of fast-food restaurants.
"I'm very ecstatic," Hobbs said afterward. "I feel I'm fortunate to be selected ... I will do my best to uphold the tradition set before me. And I will try to act as professional as I can and use integrity when dealing with the constituents of my district."
Acting Chairman Dale Wheeler said, "They were all good candidates and all well-versed. It was a difficult decision, and I'm sure we'll see some of these people soon, since this will be a short term."
"Each one had a unique talent," Supervisor Tony Ware said. "Hopefully, we can tap on to these folks for other areas of the county."
The new supervisor was born in Bedford County and has spent most of his life in Lynchburg, where he recently retired from a sales and management job at Flowers Baking Co. He is a founding member of the Saunders Volunteer Fire Co.
Hobbs has served for seven years on the Bedford County Public Service Authority and is a former chairman. He will keep that position on the authority, which oversees the county's sewage and water systems.
Hobbs and his wife, Marie, moved to Smith Mountain Lake in 1980 and have been active in the Smith Mountain Lake Association. They have four children and seven grandchildren.
The district Hobbs now represents, in southeastern Bedford County, is the county's largest. Mostly farmland, it covers areas including Huddleston, White House and New London. Teass, who was the board's chairman, died Oct. 24 of a heart attack. Wheeler was voted acting chairman in his place. Board members had until next Wednesday to appoint Teass' successor, or the choice would have gone to Bedford County Circuit Judge William Sweeney.
Hobbs will serve until November 1995. At that time, there will be a special election to fill the rest of Teass' term, which runs through 1997. In November 1997, there will be an election for a full four-year term.
Those details were incorrect in a story Wednesday.
Hobbs has said he will run for the seat next November.
by CNB