Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 21, 1995 TAG: 9510230086
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The candidate best suited for the Catawba job is Democrat Fenton F. "Spike" Harrison Jr., a government and history teacher at Glenvar High School.
Some district residents feel neglected by county government. They believe Catawba, still a largely rural area, is considered last when it comes to improvements, first when it comes to undesirable public-works projects.
Accurate or not, this is the perception that whoever wins will inherit and will have to combat by vigorously representing constituents' interests. Fortunately, many of these interests are consistent with the county's overall needs, including for more effective land-use planning and more investments in school buildings.
The most thoughtful of the candidates, Harrison doesn't reflexively chime in about Catawba's unfair treatment. He points to Green Hill Park and improvements planned (finally!) for schools in the district as evidence the area isn't entirely forgotten. Even so, given the pressures of rapid growth elsewhere in the county, he says Catawba's representative will need to watch out that promised school improvements aren't elbowed aside.
Electing a teacher - that is, a public employee - to the board that approves school budgets is problematic. But there is no cause to question Harrison's independence. And there are his opponents to consider.
They are: Warren Brown, a machinist running on the Republican ticket; Robert Crouse, who built a family trucking business and is running as an independent after losing the GOP nod to Brown; and Douglas Chandler Graham, a retired mail carrier also on the ballot as an independent.
Brown refers often to his Christian faith, and calls for a return to conservative values. He's campaigning on a promise to appoint an advisory board. While greater citizen involvement is much needed, a "kitchen cabinet" seems cliquish as a way to cultivate input and less than compelling as a campaign platform.
Crouse also describes himself as a strong conservative, and says his independent bid isn't an abandonment of his loyalty to the Republican Party. He says county government can and should be run like a corporation, and he would devote himself full time to the task of seeing that it is. He says neither of the parties' candidates has the time or experience to do the job of overseeing details of county management.
The supervisors, though, are a policymaking body. Crude micromanagement is more likely to create conflicting priorities than efficient government.
The second independent, Graham, is a jolly fellow with complaints about waste in county government. He also thinks the county needs occasional micromanaging, and says, as a retiree, he'll have the time to do it.
Harrison has the most realistic view of the job, and the temperament to consider all reasonable views, then act in the interests of Catawba and the county. He'd be a fine addition to the board.
Keywords:
POLITICS ENDORSEMENT
by CNB