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

DATE: FRIDAY, September 22, 1995                   TAG: 9509220047
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

A FRIENDLY NUDGE FOR THE BOND ISSUE

Bedford and Bedford County libraries are distributing bookmarks that list the branches slated for construction and how much money each will receive if the referendum passes. Hehman and other library employees are also handing out the bookmarks at civic meetings.

"We think that once we get the facts out, people will vote for it," Hehman said. "The people at the city library are delighted with their new building, and the people at the branches are eager to see new facilities because of the overcrowded conditions."

A volunteer committee has also been organized to raise funds and campaign for the referendum. Members include retired Montvale postmaster Jessie Richards, Villamont Postmaster Barbara Haymaker and former county agricultural extension agent Pat Moriarty.

The bond money would add 18,000 square feet of library space countywide. It would build new branch libraries in Montvale, where there is no library now, and in Stewartsville, Moneta and Forest, where the library board leases space.

It would also add floor space to the Big Island branch library, which is the only library housed in a county-owned building.

\ WHERE THE MONEY'S COMING FROM

Another in a series of reports on who are the big financial donors to some of the General Assembly campaigns in our regions:

Bell-Edwards

For the state Senate seat that covers Roanoke and most of Roanoke County.

Brandon Bell (R)

Amount raised through Aug. 31: $156,000

Bell's top contributors:

1. D.J. & Ruth Cooper, Bent Mountain, carpenter/mobile home park owner, $3,750.

2. Virginians for a Republican Majority, McLean $3,500.

3. Bruce Farrell, Roanoke, car dealer, $2,800.

4. Nicholas and Jenny Taubman, Roanoke, Advance Auto Parts executive, $2,750.

5. Kenneth Stolle, Virginia Beach, state senator, $2,500.

Newell and Lynn Falkinburg, Roanoke, candidate/physician, $2,500.

John Edwards (D)

Amount raised through Aug. 31: $57,000

Edwards' top contributors:

1. AFL-CIO, Richmond, labor union, $3,000

2. Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Richmond, $2,000

3. Telebrands Corp., Roanoke, $1,940.

4. Elbert Waldron, Roanoke, developer, $1,500.

Virginia Education Association, Richmond, teachers organization, $1,500.

Thomas-Artis

For the House of Delegates seat that covers Southeast Roanoke, Northeast Roanoke, part of Northwest Roanoke, and the Peters Creek Road section of Roanoke county.

Victor Thomas (D)

Amount raised through Aug. 31: $46,984

Thomas' top contributors:

1. Elbert Waldron, Roanoke, developer $5,000

2. Commonwealth Victory Fund, Richmond, Democratic Party fund $2,685

3. Virginia Sheriffs Association, Richmond $1,000

John Kimbrough, Scottsville, pharmaceuticals $1,000

Medical Facilities of Roanoke, Roanoke $1,000

J.B. Rapoport & Associates, Roanoke, optometrist $1,000

Jeff Artis (R)

Amount raised through Aug. 31: $7,840

Artis' top contributors:

1. T.E. and Ann Beck, Glasgow $1,500

2. John Kepley, Roanoke, minister $500

Roanoke City Republican Committee $500

Virginians for a Republican Majority, McLean $500

6th District Republican Committee $500

Source: Campaign finance reports

Staff writers Dan Casey and Kimberly N. Martin contributed to this report.

Keywords:
POLITICS