Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 16, 1995 TAG: 9505160093
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``We are going to do it the way that people say it can't be done,'' he said Monday in announcing his independent candidacy. ``It's going to be a grass-roots campaign. We're going to shake people's hands.''
A handshake in local politics is often better than a party endorsement - which Beard doesn't have. He put out feelers about seeking the Republican nomination, but decided the party didn't offer what he needed.
``They didn't have any money,'' he said. ``I was going to have to do the fund raising on my own.''
Bud Brumitt, who heads candidate recruitment for the Botetourt County GOP, said Beard had talked to party leaders but never formally asked for their backing. It's true, he said, that they couldn't have offered Beard much money. The county party has only $2,500 to divide among all its local candidates - five so far, he said. And Brumitt estimated it would cost $15,000 to run a countywide race for sheriff.
Without the party providing some financial clout, Beard said, he decided he could fare better with no endorsement. He said he's already gathering support from independent voters, Republicans and Democrats dissatisfied with incumbent Sheriff Reed Kelly.
``He got the largest percentage of votes last time,'' Beard said. ``He didn't get a mandate. He was elected by 41 percent of the vote in a three-way race.''
If the field remains uncluttered this year, Beard said, the voters will have a clear choice.
Beard said he and Kelly, who is a Democrat, simply have differing philosophies about what voters want.
``They would like to see the sheriff's department in their neighborhoods more,'' Beard said. ``They feel there has been too much emphasis on traffic.''
Drunken-driving arrests have risen dramatically in Kelly's four-year term. His campaign also claims a plummeting crime index as proof of his performance.
Beard said voters have less statistical concerns in evaluating the sheriff's performance.
``One woman said it hasn't been a bad job,'' Beard said. ``She said she felt we could do better. People need to know that their homes are safe and their children are safe.''
Beard said his experience will help him make the county safer.
At 32, he already can boast about a decade of law enforcement experience, including a six-year stint as a road officer and canine officer in Roanoke County.
In 1989, he was part of a regional drug task force that rounded up curbside drug dealers in Roanoke in a sweep dubbed ``Operation Caribbean Sunset.''
In January 1991, he was recognized by Vinton Town Council for heroism as he jumped into the frigid waters of Glade Creek in an unsuccessful effort to rescue Tina Marie Altis, who drowned after her car was washed off a low-water bridge by floodwaters.
He was the town police officer in Buchanan for about a year, until early 1993. Since then, he has worked as a painting contractor.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB