Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 16, 1995 TAG: 9505160081
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FLOYD LENGTH: Medium
Chief Deputy Donnie Pratt, who was one of three candidates for sheriff, received 596 votes in the canvass held at each of the county's polling locations. The voting was open to any registered voter. Deputy Joe D. Turman received 277 votes, and Richard Quesenberry, a quality assurance item manager at the Radford Arsenal, received 186.
David W. Ingram, 33, the incumbent supervisor for the A-91 Locust Grove district, received 177 votes, while his only challenger, carpenter Carl L. Kempa, received 34.
Pratt, 44, will face Elmer Edward Underwood, 52, the only announced Democratic candidate in the race to replace retiring Sheriff Tom Higgins, a Republican.
Pratt, a native of the county who had experience as a military policeman in Vietnam, cited his training and his knowledge of the people and county as his qualifications.
Underwood has said he will focus on illegal drugs in the county.
Ingram is completing his second term as supervisor. He is a Floyd native who runs a beef cattle farm and works for G.J. Ingram and Sons. He has said he is working to improve education and the county's road network.
The county's Democratic Party will hold a caucus Saturday at noon in the cafeteria of Floyd Elementary School. Any registered voter may participate, but those who do must sign a form agreeing to support Democratic candidates.
In other races in the county, Republican Kirby Harris will face Democratic incumbent Supervisor Jerry W. Boothe in the C-91 Courthouse District, and GOP challenger Gary E. Gillespie will face Democratic incumbent Edsel Duncan.
Harris, 41, is a Floyd native who works for Harris and Baker Furniture. He served on the Floyd Town Council for nine years before moving out of town. He has said he is against an environmental fee or "trash tax."
Boothe is a 35-year-old carpenter who is finishing his first term. He goals are improving education and economic development.
Gillespie, 41, is a Floyd native who owns Bob's Radio and TV. He is a member of the County Planning Commission and is against the environmental fee.
Duncan, 73, is a first-term supervisor who is retired from Mohawk Rubber. He has cited employment and better schools and roads as his concerns.
Incumbent GOP candidates Commonwealth's Attorney Gino Williams, Revenue Commissioner Magdalene M. Goad and Treasurer Deronda D. Thomas are so far unopposed.
In the D-91 Burk's Fork Supervisor district, Howard Dickerson has said he is retiring. No candidates there have yet decided to run.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB