Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 12, 1995 TAG: 9503130075
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
City Councilwoman Linda Wyatt said she'll call for a council vote on a November referendum about a modified ward system, an issue likely to spark heated rhetoric in council chambers Monday night.
The vote will occur after a public hearing that is expected to bring out dozens of proponents and opponents of election system change.
``There's nothing more fundamental for a community to decide than how it will govern itself,'' Wyatt said. ``I gave my word when I ran that I would vote in favor of sending [a modified ward system] to referendum. I'm going to keep my word. It's a matter of honor.''
That's precisely the problem confronting a number of council members.
In their last campaigns, a majority of the current council promised to support a voter referendum on the question.
But in about-faces that could have political consequences, some members have backed off those pledges, claiming there is little public sentiment for change. Others say they're unlikely to support Wyatt's motion for technical reasons.
``God knows the American people are sick and tired of politicians who say one thing, campaign on it, and they turn around and go the other way,'' said Gary Waldo, a ward system proponent and key organizer in the Progressive Democratic Coalition.
One who has switched positions is Mayor David Bowers, who until recently was council's most outspoken advocate of a modified ward system.
As a councilman, Bowers wholly supported scrapping the present at-large election system. Last year, he said he thought changing election systems might be unwise, but he would still support a referendum.
Now he appears to have changed his mind on that, too.
``With the exception of about eight to 12 people who have continued to be proponents of a ward system, I don't see public support for [it] at all,'' Bowers said.
``I always try to do what I say I'll do. But I think the people have released us from that promise,'' the mayor said. ``Unless I hear differently from a significant number of citizens, I just don't see any support from the people.''
Councilman William White, another past ward system advocate, is singing a similar tune.
``My sense from citizens is, the election system we have is satisfactory,'' White said in February. ``I don't hear a groundswell of anybody wanting change.''
Councilwoman Elizabeth Bowles, who said the issue hasn't generated a single constituent call to her, has not made up her mind.
Although Bowles came out in favor of a referendum during her 1992 campaign, ``a referendum is expensive. Think of the time and effort. I think it would be a waste of money and effort, if the citizens as a whole have not asked for it,'' she said.
Councilman Delvis ``Mac'' McCadden has recently made no secret of his opposition to a modified ward system or a referendum, although he supported both in his 1992 campaign.
And Councilman Jack Parrott said he can't support a referendum this year because there's not enough time to get it on the ballot while ensuring full public participation. He also promised during his 1994 campaign to support a referendum.
The issue has been raised before council off and on for the past two decades. It resurfaced last July, when 10 people from three of the city's four quadrants asked council to vote for a modified ward system.
At a public hearing in September, four people spoke against changing to a ward system, and three people spoke in favor of change.
That came after a report by City Attorney Wilburn Dibling that estimated the process could take up to four years from beginning to end.
In the present at-large election system, there are no defined districts, and voters may cast ballots for all council members.
Advocates of the present system say it leads to a more harmonious council. There are no turf battles, because all members represent the entire city.
In a ward system, voters cast ballots only for candidates running from their defined districts, or wards. Whoever wins represents the interests of those residents in matters coming before council.
Under a ward system, it's easier for voters to hold politicians accountable. It's also far cheaper for candidates to run in a district rather than citywide. That opens up the political process to low-to moderate-income citizens who have problems raising campaign money, proponents argue.
A modified ward system is a combination of the two. Under it, some council members would be elected by wards, and others would be elected at large.
Details on how many of each there would be in a modified ward system would be worked out before the referendum, if council approves it, Wyatt said.
As of last week, however, approval seemed unlikely. Only Wyatt and Councilman John Edwards are firmly in support of district elections. They may also be the only ones who vote for the referendum.
by CNB