ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 7, 1996 TAG: 9603070016
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PULASKI
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
Seven candidates have qualified to run for four seats on Pulaski Town Council May 7, but the status of one candidate remains questionable.
Cmdr. Barry Buckner of the Pulaski Police Department collected the 125 signatures from town voters needed on his petition to run for a council seat.
But Town Attorney Frank Terwilliger, who was asked last month to check into the legality of town employees serving on council, said Tuesday that the town charter could pose some problems.
While there is nothing in the charter to prohibit a town employee from running for council, Terwilliger said, the charter does prohibit allowing council members to draw a town salary. That means once Buckner took office, should he win the election, he would be unable to draw his officer's salary.
Terwilliger will seek an opinion from the state attorney general's office on the matter.
Three of the four council members whose terms expire this year are seeking re-election. Roy D'Ardenne, Alma Holston and John A. Johnston will campaign to keep their seats, while Councilman Junior Black decided not to seek a second term.
Others running for the seats are Jim Neblett and Polly Mitchell, both of whom have served previously on council, and businessman Charles Stewart Jr.
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS CITY COUNCILby CNB