Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 11, 1995 TAG: 9505110079
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
"I'm going to run ... despite all the hassles," he said Wednesday. "As I look at it, the thing that I contribute to the board is that I ask questions about what is going on."
Indeed, near the end of practically every meeting during the past four years when Chairman Jerry White asks if there are any questions on items being considered, he automatically looks first at Fariss. And, practically every time, Fariss has questions.
"I slow things down to the point that I make people say, 'Is this what we really want?'" Fariss said. "I think I've made a lot of contributions ... I think that a lot of positive things have happened, and I take some credit for that."
He said the county has seen new businesses come in during the past four years, and the board holding the real estate tax steady has probably helped. The county unemployment rate is the lowest and income the highest in several years, he said, "and I think the board can take credit for at least a big portion of that."
He noted that the county has been totally zoned and that the county has enjoyed good relations with the towns of Pulaski and Dublin. The board has been supportive of Dublin in the town's annexation of the former Burlington Mills property, which is now the Dublin Industrial Park, and with helping to upgrade streets and roads serving the town.
Fariss and other Republicans seeking re-election hope to make their candidacies official at a county GOP mass meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in the county courts building.
Commonwealth's Attorney Everett Shockley has announced his intention to seek a fifth term, and Commissioner of Revenue Maynard Sayers, a sixth term. Other Republicans holding office are White, the Robinson District supervisor, and Ira "Pete" Crawford, Draper District.
County Democrats will also hold a caucus Monday, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pulaski County Administration Building.
Treasurer Rose Marie Tickle and Sheriff Ralph Dobbins have both said they will seek the Democratic candidacies for re-election. So has Cloyd District Supervisor Joe Sheffey. Former Sheriff Frank Conner is seeking the Democratic candidacy for the Massie District board seat, since Supervisor Mason Vaughan has said he will not run again.
Byron Shankman, a Dublin lawyer, plans to oppose Shockley in the commonwealth's attorney race.
Fariss will be seeking his third term, having won by only 17 votes when he challenged incumbent William Dawson in 1987. He carried every precinct in his district against challenger James O'Dell in 1991. In fact, Fariss got more votes than any supervisor in 1991, even where there was no opposition.
A Pulaski County native, he graduated from Roanoke College in 1957 and interned at the University of Virginia Medical School. He did his fellowship on endocrinology at the University of California.
After serving in a variety of U.S. Army medical posts, he returned to Allisonia in 1984.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB