Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 5, 1995 TAG: 9506050024
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWAYNE YANCEY, RON BROWN AND RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
But not state Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, R-Fincastle, who will declare for re-election Wednesday. He's setting aside a full day to tour his elongated district, which stretches from Bath County to Giles County, with a separate announcement in any community with a weekly newspaper or radio station.
Trumbo, who revels in his "country boy" image, will begin at 5:30 a.m. with an appearance at the plant gates of the Westvaco paper mill in Covington - one of his most important sources of political strength.
"I like to renew old acquaintances at the plant gate," he says.
As for the two unopposed incumbents who announced last week:
Putney says highway improvements, economic development and funding for higher education top his agenda.
"I feel that my years of experience and my knowledge of the people and the needs of [my] district will enable me to continue to give strong, effective representation in the General Assembly," Putney said.
First elected in 1962, the Bedford lawyer is the assembly's only independent. He also serves on the House Appropriations Committee, which helps write the budget.
His district covers most of Bedford County, most of Botetourt County, Buena Vista and the southeastern corner of Rockbridge County.
Griffith also cites highway improvements, economic development and education, but he adds another issue - "tougher penalties for drunk drivers who injure others."
Griffith, a freshman, championed Interstate 73 during his initial campaign two years ago. Among the bills he has had passed is one that increases the penalties for minors who try to escape from juvenile facilities.
His district covers Salem; most of Roanoke County between Bent Mountain, Windsor Hills and Glenvar; and eastern Montgomery County, including part of Christiansburg.
Deadline approaching
The deadline for getting on the ballot in this fall's elections is June 13.
In Western Virginia, most of the suspense is in the Bedford County-Lynchburg-Amherst County state Senate district from which Democrat Elliot Schewel is retiring.
Republicans are fielding Del. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, but Democrats so far don't have a candidate - although they insist they'll find one rather than give the seat away.
Meanwhile, most localities in the region will be electing school boards for the first time, although few people have filed to run in many localities. Look for a last-minute scramble as school board candidates get their petitions in.
Lugar online
The presidential campaign has now moved into cyberspace.
Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar, who's seeking the Republican nomination, has become the first candidate to set up his own "home page" on the World Wide Web portion of the Internet.
With a click of the mouse, computer users can call up Lugar's positions on key issues, read his speeches, or e-mail the campaign about what issues the candidate ought to be addressing.
"The American public wants substance and not just sound bites," Lugar said in a statement announcing his website. "Because of that, the Internet will play a unique role in the 1996 election process. Millions of politically aware voters use the Internet to express their views, and they will have a huge impact on the presidential campaign."
The address of Lugar's home page is: http://www.iquest.net/lugar/lugar.htm.
Former Tennessee Lamar Alexander, another GOP contender, is expected to set up his own home page later this summer.
Green in Rockbridge
Democrats and Republicans aren't the only ones fielding candidates for the General Assembly this fall.
In Rockbridge County, the Green Party - an offshoot of the European political movement that promotes nonviolence, grass-roots democracy and protection of the environment - hopes to run three candidates for the state legislature.
Eric Sheffield, a self-employer woodworker, has received enough signatures to place him on the ballot as a challenger to Del. Vance Wilkins, R-Amherst, said Bruce Patterson, clerk of Rockbridge County Circuit Court.
That will make for a three-way race; the Democrats are fielding Augusta County lawyer Ed Plunkett for the district that meanders across the Blue Ridge from Amherst County to Staunton.
Elise Sheffield, a teacher, is gathering signatures to challenge Sen. Frank Nolen, D-Augusta County. The Republicans have nominated former Del. Emmett Hanger for the district that runs from Rockbridge County to Rockingham County.
Stephanie Porras, who does mental health research for the Medical College of Virginia and is a consultant the the University of Virginia, is gathering signatures to challenge Del. Creigh Deeds, D-Warm Springs.
The Republican candidate for the district that stretches from the northern tip of Botetourt County to Highland County is Rockbridge County Supervisor Ben Nicely.
Eric Sheffield said the Green Party also believes that citizens should be allowed to vote directly on governmental issues that affect them. Currently, the state legislature must give residents permission to hold a referendum on local issues.
Sheffield said the Green Party would support the rights of citizens to challenge state pollution permits in court.
The party would also like to have corporate executives held accountable if their business is involved in criminal activities.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB