Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 13, 1995 TAG: 9510130040
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Long
But most people probably knew already that the competitions for sheriff and commonwealth's attorney are generating the most heat.
They also generated the most questions Wednesday night at the county Chamber of Commerce's once-postponed candidates' forum at New River Community College. Nearly 150 people showed up to hear from those seeking constitutional offices and seats on the Board of Supervisors or the School Board.
That was about eight times as many people as showed up for the chamber's forum featuring candidates for state legislative offices several weeks ago. The local candidates also proved more disciplined at stopping when time keeper Doug Warren hit the bell, allowing the audience to hear from all 22 candidates (a 23rd one did not show up) within the scheduled 21/2 hours.
Some questions put candidates on the spot, like the one asking Commonwealth's Attorney Everett Shockley which candidate he supported for sheriff.
"I will support the Republican ticket. Who I vote for when I go into the voting booth is my business," Shockley replied.
"I'm on the Democratic ticket and I support the whole ticket," said challenger Byron Shankman. But he agreed with Shockley about the actual vote being a private matter.
Norman Dowdy said he retired as a state trooper specifically to challenge Sheriff Ralph Dobbins at the request of a number of county residents. The Republican challenger said he foresaw no immediate personnel changes if he won the office, and those doing their jobs properly "would not have to worry about it if I became sheriff." He said he would not hesitate to fire those who were not.
Dobbins, the Democratic incumbent, said he had put together a fine organization in his four years as sheriff. "There's no need for any of them to be replaced and there's not one of them who isn't doing their jobs."
Dobbins said the suggestion that he was not accessible was absurd. "I'm the most accessible person up here on this platform," he said, between his pager and cellular telephone when he was away from his office.
"They say he will not call you back," Dowdy said. "That's what I've been told."
Accessibility came up in other races as well.
Republican Draper District Supervisor Ira "Pete" Crawford said anyone could contact him, because he had answering machines on his telephones at work and home. Democratic challenger Charles Cook questioned that, claiming many district residents did not even know who represented them because, when he went door to door introducing himself, they asked, "Who are you running against?"
Cloyd District School Board member Carolyn Brown said the board office had the number of the branch bank she manages and she always returns calls that she gets there. Challenger Beth Nelson simply said her phone number is on her campaign brochure.
Ingles District Supervisor Bruce Fariss, a Republican, drew many audience questions even though his opponent was not there. Independent Colbern Linkous said he thought the three-minute time limit on answers made the gathering little more than a "beauty contest" and, besides, he disapproved of the chamber having supported keeping the county courthouse in Pulaski instead of moving it to the geographical center of the county.
Democrat Frank Conner and Republican Andy McCready, seeking the Massie District seat being vacated by Mason Vaughan, agreed that economic development is the key to funding education but disagreed as to who was better qualified to encourage it.
In School Board races, board Chairman Ron Chaffin cited educational programs of recent years such as computers in classrooms and emphasis on foundation skills at lower grades. Ingles District challenger Barbara Chrisley agreed that progress had been made but said those programs need to be evaluated for effectiveness.
Dr. Nathaniel Tuck said School Board service is not a fancy platform but basic hard and sometimes boring work with the payoff being satisfaction with the county's educational improvements. Jeff Bain, the Massie District challenger, called for more openness in meetings starting with doing away with the advance sign-up sheet for speakers.
In the Robinson District, Sybil Atkinson asked why her challenger, Rhea Saltz, wanted to get back on the board after resigning previously. Saltz said his background as a teacher and coach and the amount of time he is willing to give made him a good candidate, and indicated he would have more to say at a parent-teacher forum at 7 p.m. Monday in Pulaski Middle School for School Board candidates only.
Treasurer Rose Marie Tickle and Commissioner of Revenue Maynard Sayers, both unchallenged for re-election, got no questions. Unchallenged Draper District School Board member Lewis Pratt got one only because moderator Hiawatha Nicely threw him an unassigned question on whether candidates favored uniforms for high school students (he opposed them).
Unchallenged Robinson District Supervisor Jerry White and Cloyd District Supervisor Joe Sheffey thought they were getting off easy, too, until Nicely tossed them a general question on whether they would favor liquor by the drink as an economic development issue if a majority of county residents did.
"Thanks, Hi. I needed that," White joked. If citizens approved that in a referendum, he said, he would honor their wishes. Sheffey said he would probably oppose it unless it got majority citizen approval.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB