ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, April 7, 1996                  TAG: 9604080046
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: A-1  EDITION: METRO 

POPULAR GOVERNMENT?

LENGTH: Short :   17 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  WAYNE DEEL Staff. Roanoke's City Council chamber is more
          than half empty as Mayor David Bowers leads the council in a recent 
          public meeting. Many Roanokers say they feel no ties with their city
          leaders. And council members complain that unless it is a really 
          controversial issue, they get little input from residents. color.