Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 12, 1995 TAG: 9505120033
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT LENGTH: Medium
Dillon and the restaurant's regulars enjoy the food almost as much as they enjoy the jokes told.
But no punch line could brighten Dillon's mood Wednesday.
He sat at his usual table in the corner, but he was unusually quiet.
One thing was on his mind: a statement made by Circuit Judge B.A. Davis III that had appeared on the front page of the Franklin News-Post that morning.
Dillon fears it could damage his reputation and his political career.
Davis, in convicting a Franklin County woman Tuesday for aiding in the distribution of cocaine, had noted from the bench that the drug activity took place at a house owned by Dillon.
The woman rented the house at 126 Sycamore St. from Franklin Vendors Inc. - a company Dillon owns.
Dillon was in no way linked to any illegal activities during the trial.
Members of Town Council, including Dillon, have always worked hard to eliminate drug problems in Rocky Mount, Police Chief Butch Jenkins said Wednesday.
Dillon prepared a short public statement expressing his concern over the situation:
"I am very much embarrassed by what has happened. When I rented the house to this lady, I had no idea she was going to sell drugs from there. I'm glad she got caught. I'm glad she was convicted, and I urge the courts to give her the maximum sentence as allowed by law."
He said he considered not commenting on the issue, but "I feel like I can't ignore this."
Davis would not answer questions about his statement.
The judge and the councilman have butted heads before. In February, they publicly disagreed over the site of a new YMCA.
Davis said the location - off North Main Street - is a poor choice because of drug problems in that area of the town.
At a council meeting days later, Dillon stood behind the location and said the YMCA and several other projects planned for the site represent the type of development that will help eradicate any drug problems.
Several prominent players in the Rocky Mount community read into Dillon's statement that he was standing up to Davis, who some say is the most powerful man in Franklin County.
So, does Dillon think Davis' comment was spurred by the YMCA issue?
"No comment," he said.
Two people who were in the courtroom Tuesday - Commonwealth's Attorney Cliff Hapgood and defense attorney Mary Harkins - said they don't think Davis was taking a swipe at Dillon.
"I don't think [Davis] said it out of any animosity toward Mr. Dillon," Harkins said.
Hapgood said that, at the time, he didn't even think about the statement's possible effect on Dillon, who is up for re-election early next year.
by CNB