ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 7, 1996 TAG: 9603120005
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON
In most political races, the phrase "business as usual" is used to criticize long-standing politicians.
But 16-year council member Alex Brown said anyone using that phrase against him will be helping him.
"I hope it will be business as usual in Salem," Brown said. As he has done in many races in the past, Brown won't be running on any critical issues.
Instead, he wants residents to look at what he and his cohorts on council have done. He vows to continue doing those things.
"I would like to think that a majority of the citizens are happy with the way things are going," Brown said. "I think all you have to do to really appreciate Salem is go somewhere else for a while."
Some of the things he's most proud of include the school system, which became independent of Roanoke County in 1983 and has since become recognized state-wide for high test scores and progressive academic programs. Brown said the city has some of the lowest taxes in the valley. Although Salem's real estate tax rate is higher than Roanoke or Roanoke County, the city's property assessments are lower and make the overall tax lower for Salem residents, Brown said. He said the city also benefits from a healthy mix of residential and commercial or industrial land, which is at about 65-percent residential and 35-percent commercial or industrial.
Brown ran unsuccessfully for council in 1978 when he was 25. Winning at that age was practically unheard-of in Salem, he said.
But two years later, he became probably the youngest person ever to win a City Council race.
Now he's 43 and has served with some of the same council members throughout his tenure, including Mayor Jim Taliaferro and Vice Mayor Sonny Tarpley. Incumbent Howard Packett came on board four years after Brown was elected.
Although Taliaferro will step down after 24 years on council and more than 22 years as mayor, Brown doesn't see this as a transitional period for council.
Those on council know the city, he said. And as long as they keep being re-elected, the incumbents will continue doing the things they have been, he said.
"Almost everything we've done, we've done it not only for our generation but for the next generation," Brown said.
ALEXANDER M. BROWN
Age: 43
Occupation: Real estate agent with Barker Realty Co.
Personal: Married, two children
Education: Attended Virginia Western Community College. Graduated from Greenbrier Military School.
Political background: 16 years on City Council.
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Alex Brown\16 years on council KEYWORDS: POLITICS CITY COUNCILby CNB