Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 17, 1995 TAG: 9504170027
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER AND DWAYNE YANCEY STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"It's real preliminary. We're just testing the waters," he said last week. "It's a family decision. I've been praying about it. We've been kicking it around, and I've gotten a lot of favorable phone calls."
Gardner, 39, led the investigation of the notorious 1985 murders of Boonsboro couple Derek and Nancy Haysom. He flew to London with prosecutor Jim Updike to arrest their daughter, Elizabeth, and her lover, Jens Soering, who eventually were convicted in connection with the murders.
"I've been with the sheriff's office for 151/2 years," Gardner said. "I've worked everything from the barking dog to capital murder cases.
"I've got good health and some energy, and if the citizens of Bedford County decided down the road to elect me sheriff, I'm the man that can turn the department around and put the pride and integrity back into our sheriff's office that it once had."
As sheriff, Gardner said, he would institute a policy and procedures manual for the office and work to strengthen relations with city and state police.
So far, two candidates have announced: Doug Maynard, an investigator in the Roanoke and Bedford public defender's offices; and Mike Brown, an international security consultant. Sheriff Carl Wells has yet to say whether he will run, although many in Bedford think he will not.
Dining becomes campaign issue
Newell Falkinburg says Del. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum is out to lunch.
Woodrum says Falkinburg soon will be.
When the Roanoke physician declared his candidacy last week for the Republican nomination to oppose Woodrum this fall, Falkinburg zinged the Democrat's choice of dining companions.
"While I am here, outlining my vision for a Virginia looking after the rights of the individual, where is the incumbent?'' Falkinburg asked.
"He's at some fancy restaurant in Richmond talking to the fat cats and special interests about spending your hard-earned tax dollars to advance their goals. It's a shame."
Actually, while Falkinburg was making his noon announcement, Woodrum said he was at home in South Roanoke eating a sandwich with his wife.
But he acknowledged he headed to Richmond later in the day for a nighttime fund-raiser with "people who are interested in good government."
Woodrum said he found it odd that Falkinburg would attack him for raising money.
"I'd assume we're all going to attempt to raise money," he said.
As for that "fancy restaurant" in Richmond where Woodrum held his fund-raiser, it was The Frog and The Redneck.
Thomas Jefferson on the ticket?
Falkinburg virtually made Thomas Jefferson his running mate as he tried to make his point about his "Jeffersonian" philosophy favoring smaller government. He declared his candidacy on Thomas Jefferson's birthday, at the Jefferson Center, the former Jefferson High School in downtown Roanoke.
On several occasions, Falkinburg expressed his dismay over various actions by the Democratic incumbent and lamented that "Mr. Jefferson would not be proud."
He even wore a tie that carried reproductions of the signatures of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Deeds, Wilkins running again
No surprises here:
Del. Creigh Deeds, D-Warm Springs, is seeking a third term. In announcing his bid for re-election, he cited his work to promote economic development in his district, which stretches from the Gala section of Botetourt County to Highland County.
He specifically talked about his efforts to obtain funding for a bridge to give access to a proposed business park in Alleghany County, to create a welding lab at Dabney Lancaster Community College, and to promote tourism.
Del. Vance Wilkins, R-Amherst, the House Minority Leader, will declare his re-election bid Tuesday. His district covers Amherst County, parts of Rockbridge and Augusta counties, and Staunton.
So far, both candidates are unopposed.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB