Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 24, 1995 TAG: 9510240058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KIMBERLY N. MARTIN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It might be understandable if, come Nov. 7, Catawba Magisterial District residents look for Steve McGraw's name on the ballot.
McGraw, who ran for clerk of the Circuit Court in 1991 rather than seeking a third term on the Board of Supervisors, isn't on the ballot this year. But that hasn't stopped three of the four candidates vying for the Catawba seat on the board from pointing out Democratic candidate Fenton "Spike" Harrison's affiliation with McGraw.
It's an issue that cropped up at a candidates' debate in September, and it's come up at every joint appearance since, Harrison said.
Their charge is simple: Harrison is another Steve McGraw. And in Catawba, Harrison's opponents say, that's a political kiss of death.
McGraw was one of about a half-dozen Democrats who approached Harrison about vying for the seat after Supervisor Ed Kohinke opted not to seek a second term. McGraw also has contributed $500 to Harrison's campaign.
That's more than enough evidence for GOP candidate Warren Brown.
Harrison "is handpicked by McGraw. In a meeting, [Harrison] bragged about it. He don't deny it," Brown said. "I can't stress enough that McGraw and his type, we don't need them and don't want them."
Independent candidate Douglas Graham also said Harrison's affiliation with McGraw could cost him with voters.
McGraw was Catawba's supervisor for eight years. During his tenure, the board gave the go-ahead for the Spring Hollow reservoir, hired Elmer Hodge as county administrator, reluctantly negotiated a consolidation agreement with Roanoke - which county voters soundly rejected - and fought resident-initiated annexation attempts.
But what the candidates say McGraw is most remembered for is the Smith Gap Landfill. Residents of the Fort Lewis area fought to keep the landfill out of Catawba, but it was a battle they fought without McGraw, who pledged to support whichever site was best suited for the landfill.
"Mr. McGraw is not well liked. He stuck us with a landfill over here. In our opinion he traded us off," Independent candidate Bob Crouse said.
McGraw acknowledges that the landfill is still a touchy subject in Catawba.
"The further you get from the landfill, the higher my approval rating will be," McGraw said. "We sacrificed our popular image by making decisions for 50 to 60 years in the future."
That showed in 1991 when he ran for Circuit Court Clerk. If victory had hinged on how the six precincts in Catawba voted, McGraw wouldn't be clerk today. He lost eight out of 30 precincts countywide that year - and five of those were in Catawba.
The McGraw factor also came up in the 1991 election. When Kohinke ran for office against Democrat Jack Tompkins, he made an issue of McGraw's support of Tompkins.
At the time, Tompkins said McGraw's support was as much a benefit as it was a detriment to his campaign.
For some Catawba residents, what was an issue four years ago may not be now.
"It doesn't bother me," said Cheryl Taylor of McGraw's support of Harrison. She attended a candidates' forum earlier this month at Fort Lewis Elementary School. "I support Harrison because of the person he is."
Harrison met McGraw while he was still on the board. Harrison, a teacher at Glenvar High School, regularly invited McGraw to speak to his government class. Over the years, they became friends.
"Those were some of the best experiences I ever had. Very often we wouldn't agree," McGraw said of his visits to Harrison's class. "Spike is a very independent thinker, and he's got the strength of character that it takes to be a supervisor."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB