Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 18, 1995 TAG: 9501180061
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The Democrat marks 40 years of elected service this year. "This is an emotional time for me, however I am looking forward to doing the many things that I have not had the opportunity to do while working," Jordan said. "I have really enjoyed this job and people have been very kind to return me to office this many times."
Jordan and Commonwealth's Attorney Phil Keith are the only two Democrats among Montgomery's five constitutional officers, and her retirement may set off a heated race to succeed her this fall. Republican contenders have already announced in the sheriff's and commonwealth's attorney's races. Treasurer Ellis Meredith, a Republican, hasn't announced his plans.
Jordan's top assistant of 16 years, Nancy W. Miller, said Tuesday she will seek the Democratic nomination. No other Democrats have emerged as possible contenders. Nor have any Republicans, though several people have expressed interest, said Montgomery Republican Chairman Pat Cupp.
The commissioner of revenue collects state income tax returns and county personal property assessments, maintains real estate records and maps and administers the land-use taxation and real estate tax relief programs for the elderly and disabled.
Jordan, a 68-year-old county native, joined the commissioner's office in 1948, was appointed acting commissioner in 1952 and won her first, four-year term in 1955. She's been re-elected nine times since, only four times with opposition. Though her license plate bears a "1," Jordan said she is the second-longest serving commissioner in Virginia, behind only Stafford County's George L. Gordon, who didn't want the special plate.
For decades, county Democrats have gathered in Jordan's office on Election Night to nervously watch returns. It's a tradition that predates her term. "We have fun. We win some, we lose some."
Jordan announced her retirement to the county Democratic Committee Tuesday night. She is endorsing Miller for the Democratic nomination.
Miller, 58, has been with the office for 26 years. "It's been a pleasure to work with Robertine," she said. As a candidate, Miller said she would strive to uphold Jordan's policy of making the commissioner's office accessible to the public.
It's that accessibility that Jordan sees as an argument against Republican Gov. George Allen's proposal to cut funding for commissioners of revenue offices and centralize state income tax collection to Richmond.
"We give the public this personal touch that we know that Richmond could not give them," Jordan said. She and other commissioners went to the General Assembly this week to lobby against the proposed change. "Our budgets are going to be slashed unless something is done," she said.
Jordan was appointed to office when her predecessor, a man, died. At the time, she was one of only two women in the office. Her office now has a staff of 17 and a $326,950 annual budget. "I think I was the first lady commissioner in Southwest Virginia," Jordan said. There were seven women commissioners in Virginia at the time. "Now there are more lady commissioners than men."
The office has grown, and computerized, as Montgomery County's population has expanded with the growth of Virginia Tech and Radford University. "I believe it has been a successful and progressive administration," Jordan said.
She credits that to a cooperative working relationship with the county Board of Supervisors, and to her family, staff, advisers and voters.
Jordan is a widow and has four grandchildren in Rocky Mount, N.C. Several of her grandsons attend the University of North Carolina, which accounts for that Carolina sticker on her car. But she wanted to clarify one thing for the record: "People kid me about that, but I'm a Hokie fan, too."
by CNB