
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 23, 1995                   TAG: 9505230093
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY  
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

GONCZ SEEKS SEAT ON BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

A Montgomery County School Board member said Monday he will seek the Democratic nomination next week to challenge first-term Board of Supervisors member Nick Rush.

Robert Goncz will seek the District B nomination at the June 3 Democratic mass meeting.

Republicans last week endorsed Rush's candidacy.

District B includes much of Christiansburg, the Ellett Valley and most neighborhoods along Peppers Ferry Road. Goncz lives just west of Christiansburg, in the Rolling Hills subdivision.

Goncz, 49, said he is running to bring more long-range planning and coordination to the county. He believes in preparing a comprehensive plan that involves all county departments and the school system, so everyone knows Montgomery's "common direction."

"I believe that decisions we make in the years to come should have a foundation and a framework that must be built today," he said in a statement.

"I can offer my professional management background as well as experience I acquired" on the School Board, Goncz said. "I do not expect to run a campaign against any person or party. Rather, I desire to run a campaign that will be in favor of those positions or issues I support."

Goncz has served on the School Board since 1986. A year ago, the Board of Supervisors reappointed him over four other candidates to a term that expires in 1997. If elected, Goncz would leave the School Board.

Goncz is vice president and general manager of Eastern Repair and Fabrication Inc. in Christiansburg, a firm that specializes in machine-tool rebuilding and other manufacturing-equipment specialities. He also is a vice president with Peridot Inc., a Roanoke-based management consulting firm. For 18 years before taking those positions, he operated his own firm, Commonwealth Management Systems Co. It specialized in materials management, a field that helps manufacturing companies plan for and prioritize their operations.

Goncz and his wife, Ann, moved to Montgomery County from Ohio in 1976 so he could accept a job with Federal Mogul Corp. They have two children, Renee, a Virginia Tech student, and Michele, a junior at Christiansburg High School.

Keywords:
POLITICS

Memo: ***CORRECTION***

by CNB