Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 7, 1995 TAG: 9504070043
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH HUNTLEY AND DWAYNE YANCEY STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Supervisor Fuzzy Minnix, Commonwealth's Attorney Skip Burkart and Treasurer Alfred Anderson gathered at the Roanoke County Public Library Headquarters to ask for continued support.
Minnix, who was elected to represent the Cave Spring District in 1991, said he made communicating with constituents the No. 1 priority of his first term.
``I've been there when they needed me. I've stood in their flooded basements, out in their back yards, in their living rooms,'' he said. ``I've attended civic meetings, and I've never turned down a request to meet with anyone one on one."
Burkart, who was first elected to head Roanoke County prosecutors in 1987, said his office has grappled with the challenge of increasing caseloads.
The number of felony cases prosecuted in Roanoke County Circuit Court has risen 45 percent in the past six years, but the number of attorneys in Burkart's office has remained steady.
``Our budget has stayed the same, except for salary increases,'' Burkart said. ``I dare say we have one of the lowest operating budgets in the county, and every year I've managed to return money.''
Alfred Anderson, who has been treasurer for 16 years, said his office has modernized its computer equipment, speeding up the processing of deposits. They have also worked to improve customer relations by opening satellite offices for tax collections. The efforts have paid off, Anderson said.
``Our tax collection rate, which has always been one of the best in Virginia, was 100.21 percent for the last fiscal year, according to county auditors,'' he said.
So far, no one has announced to run against the three candidates.
Holt running again
Also on Thursday, Democrat Gerald Holt announced he will seek a second term as Roanoke County sheriff.
During his first term, Holt implemented a smoke-free jail program; established a program for inmates to share medical costs, cutting back on the tax burden on county residents; and developed a departmental policy and procedures manual for the sheriff's office.
``I pledge to continue to provide the professional leadership in corrections and court services that the citizens of Roanoke County have enjoyed for the past 31/2 years,'' he said.
Thomas opposed?
Del. Victor Thomas, D-Roanoke, who hasn't drawn a Republican challenger since single-member districts were instituted 13 years ago, may finally have one.
Jeff Artis, an in-school suspension teacher at Patrick Henry High School and the publisher of the Black Conservative Newsletter, said he's ``seriously considering'' a bid against Thomas.
``It bothers me when people run for office and they don't have any kind of opposition,'' Artis said. ``People have told me if I run, it'll at least make the race interesting in that district,'' which includes Southeast Roanoke, most of Williamson Road and Northeast Roanoke, and four precincts in northern Roanoke County.
Artis said if he runs, he'll be a champion of the poor and the working class. ``I qualify for being poor,'' Artis said. ``My kids get reduced lunches at Patrick Henry. They got free lunches last year. If I run, it would certainly bring a new voice for poor people down in Richmond.''
Thomas, a grocery store owner, was first elected in 1973. Best known for his support of hunting, gun rights and more funding for state parks, Thomas has been considered one of Virginia's most secure incumbents. But Artis said he has detected ``a lot of dissatisfaction'' in the district. ``People who wouldn't want me to move next door to them have told me they'd seriously consider voting for me,'' he said.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB