ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 4, 1996 TAG: 9604040059
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PULASKI
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER
Pulaski Police Commander Barry Buckner will be on the ballot for a seat on Pulaski Town Council next month, but he doesn't want anybody to vote for him.
Buckner has learned that, if he won, he would have to quit his job because the town charter forbids an elected official from receiving town pay.
Town Attorney Frank Terwilliger said Wednesday he still has no opinion from the state attorney general's office on the matter.
But Buckner checked to find out what the opinion would be: He can be a candidate but, if he wins, he would have to quit his job or work free.
Buckner said he hoped council would change the charter, so town employees might serve in the future. Virginia Beach and Bristol, he said, are among Virginia localities with police employees serving on their city councils.
It is too late for Buckner to remove his name from the May 7 ballot, but he asks that his supporters not vote for him, at least in this election.
LENGTH: Short : 28 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS CITY COUNCILby CNB