Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 25, 1995 TAG: 9504250103
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The other two board applicants, Nelson Harris and Melinda Payne, also received support as three people spoke for each at a 40-minute public hearing.
The applicants are few, but the competition is intense for the two seats that will be filled next month.
Harris, chairman of the board, is seeking a second term and is considered a strong favorite for reappointment.
Doris Ennis, one of Harris' former teachers, said he brings energy, ideas, dignity and respect to the board.
Harris, minister of Ridgewood Baptist Church, should be reappointed because of his experience, leadership and ability to work with people, the Rev. Nicholas Bacalis said.
Jeffrey, director of community outreach and community development for Total Action Against Poverty, and Payne, New River Valley circulation manager for the Roanoke Times & World-News, are viewed as competitors for the second post.
Olin, who represented the 6th District in Congress for a decade, said he has known Jeffrey for 12 years and he believes that Jeffrey's community work will be valuable on the School Board.
He said Jeffrey has three children in Garden City Elementary School and has been involved with the schools.
"He is active. He is a pusher," Olin said. "I think he would be good for the school district."
No former politician spoke for Payne, but one of her supporters charmed council and the audience.
Payne's daughter, Jamie, urged council to appoint her mother, saying her mother is willing to give her time and talent to the School Board.
"She is intelligent, caring and really involved in PTA work," said Jamie, a fourth-grader at Highland Park Learning Center, a magnet school.
If the board appoints her mother, Jamie said, "the city will be in good hands."
The Rev. Ottawa Pullen, pastor of Blue Ridge Baptist Church, said Payne would make an ideal School Board member. He said that Payne, a member of the church, is diligent and conscientious.
H. Clarke Curtis said Payne would work to see that all children are treated fairly with appropriate programs for them.
Jeffrey also has the support of the Revs. Charles Green, Carl Tinsley, Edward Burton and Gregory Jackson.
Green said Jeffrey knows the community and can help get parents to work closer with schools.
"He can help deal with the problem of drugs, guns and fights in school," said Green, president of the Roanoke chapter of the NAACP.
Kay Hale also urged council to appoint Jeffrey, saying he has been a volunteer tutor and chorus director at the West End Center.
Sandy Moore urged the reappointment of Harris, saying the chairman is an advocate for children who has worked to increase the number of school nurses from six to 19 part-time positions.
Council will interview the applicants Thursday night and make the appointments next month. Board member Don Poff, whose term ends June 30, is not seeking reappointment.
by CNB