ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 1996 TAG: 9603140065
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-6 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: COUNCIL CAMPAIGN NOTEBOOK
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
Four of the five Democrats seeking election to Roanoke City Council in May say they'll focus their campaigns on improving schools, creating high-wage jobs, strengthening neighborhoods and improving city government.
Linda Wyatt, Nelson Harris, Carroll Swain and Jim Trout made a joint appearance outside Virginia Heights Elementary School on Wednesday to announce "common themes" all four will campaign on.
One Democrat who wasn't there was the candidate for the city's top political post, incumbent Mayor David Bowers. Bowers, who also sits on council and votes, formed a ticket with other Democratic candidates in 1992, but it appears that won't happen this year.
The candidates said the mayor wasn't included because that's a separate race.
"We're here to set forth what we think are the primary issues ... in this council campaign," said Harris, who is running head-to-head against Republican Jeff Artis for a two-year term. "The race for mayor ... is almost a contest unto itself."
Bowers could not be reached for comment.
Highlights of the campaign event include:
Wyatt, on schools: "I believe Roanoke must make an investment of time and money to the city school system for computer technology, equipment, software and training for the staff to ensure that upon exiting Roanoke City public schools, our children are well prepared to compete in the job market ... [or] have the academic skills to succeed in institutions of higher learning."
Trout, on improving basic city services: "I believe we need to be on top of the job as seasons demand ... Snow removal [this winter] was certainly an area that was a great deal of disappointment to citizens in the neighborhoods."
Swain, on neighborhood crime: "The [community-oriented police effort] along with establishing police precincts in areas with a high crime rate is extremely important. This concept, previously evaluated, should be revisited. It's known that the visibility of law enforcement will deter crime."
Harris, on jobs: "The economic vitality of Roanoke City is dependent upon our having cooperative relationships with surrounding jurisdictions, including our friends in the New River Valley and Alleghany Highlands. We must recognize the realities of our interdependence."
Wyatt, an incumbent, Trout, a council veteran who last served from 1982 to 1990, and Swain, a newcomer to city politics, are each running for the three four-year-term seats up for grabs in the election.
Harris is seeking a two-year term in a special election to replace former vice mayor John Edwards, who was elected to the state Senate last November.
Nash on the 'Net
Roanoke City Council members may be getting laptop computers and e-mail later this year. But one person who wants to join them is already there. He's even got his own site on the Internet's World Wide Web.
Joe Nash's Campaign Web Page made its debut March 13. Bedecked with red, white and blue banners, it sets forth a platform for the only independent candidate in May's election.
Nash, 40, chalks up the idea to his stepson, Rick Barnes, a 17-year-old student at William Fleming High School and the Governor's School.
"He's a real computer whiz, I'd guess you'd call him," says Nash, who by his own account isn't.
Barnes also set up an e-mail account for the candidate. Both services are offered through the Roanoke Electronic Village, a local internet server known as REV.NET. The page costs the campaign about $30 per month, Nash says.
Want to know why Nash is running as an independent?
"I have chosen to run independent so I will not be obligated to vote along any party lines, but rather vote for or against issues based on what would be best for the citizens of Roanoke city," Nash writes on the web page.
It goes on to explain issues Nash is running on:
Making city government more responsive to citizens.
Improving Roanoke's aging infrastructure, such as old water lines, roads and sidewalks.
Improving the city's school system. He says he's also found significant public support for requiring school uniforms.
The address for Nash's web page is http://www.rev.net/people/ratmfan/campaign.html
His e-mail address is: ratmfanrev.net.
And what the heck is "ratmfan?" It's an acronym that stands for Rage Against the Machine fan. That's Barnes' favorite rock band. Nash says it also fits his nonpartisan political style.
Want to hear more?
Upcoming City Council campaign events include:
A candidates' debate tonight at 7:30, sponsored by the Greater Raleigh Court Civic League. It's at Christ Lutheran Church, at Grandin Road and Brandon Avenue Southwest.
A candidates' forum March 19 at 7 p.m., sponsored by the Roanoke chapter of the NAACP, the People's Voter League, the Baptist Ministers' Conference of the Roanoke Valley and vicinity and the Beta Phi Boule chapter of the Sigma Pi Phi fraternity. It's at High Street Baptist Church, 2302 Florida Ave. N.W.
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS CITY COUNCILby CNB