ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 14, 1996 TAG: 9604170002
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
For mayor:
David Bowers\Democrat
Pat Green\Republican
For three four-year seats
David Lisk\Republican
Alvin Nash\Republican
Joseph Nash\Independent
Carroll Swain\Democrat
Jim Trout\Democrat
Linda Wyatt\Democrat
For two-year seat
Jeff Artis\Republican
Nelson Harris\Democrat
1.
What would you have the city do to halt Roanoke's population decline?
David Bowers (D): Proposes merger of Roanoke and Roanoke County. Says Roanoke's population is becoming older, poorer and smaller because city can't annex. Says he remains ``a firm believer'' in consolidation.
Pat Green (R): ``Make neighborhoods safe. Get tougher on crime. Put more apartments and condominiums downtown [private sector].''
For three four-year seats
David Lisk (R): Says city should encourage economic development. Says he'd ``promote more citizen pride in caring for and cleaning up our neighborhoods on an ongoing basis. Explore ways in which Roanoke facilities can make access to our city more readily available.''
Alvin Nash (R): Proposes ``Renew Roanoke II'' campaign to market Roanoke as a good place to retire. Also proposes targeting universities to make pitch that Roanoke is ``a special place to live.'' Proposes a two-payment schedule for busines license tax to show Roanoke is friendly to small business.
Joseph Nash (I): Says population decline is ``a serious omen'' that young adults are moving away and not returning. Says the Regional Partnership economic development group must ``be more creative and work harder to reach out for new growth industries to settle here.''
Carroll Swain (D): Says he'd push for ``appropriate infill housing in the neighborhoods, perhaps using tax credits as an incentive to appropriate construction.'' Also says city should encourage higher-income housing. Says a university in Roanoke ``would also lead to an expansion of population.''
Jim Trout (D): Proposes city appoint task force to recommend ways to improve housing in the city. Says he'd encourage a ``comprehensive approach'' that also deals with parks and other quality-of-life concerns, and draw up timetable through 2007. Says this is ``one of the major items that I will pursue.''
Linda Wyatt (D): Says there is no ``single answer.'' Says an ``aggressive'' economic development program that seeks out employers who pay ``a living wage,'' a good school system, affordable housing in safe neighborhoods, plus better parks, recreational facilities and a greenway system will help.
For two-year seat
Jeff Artis (R): Says he wants to bring The Community Renewal Project to Roanoke and base city government's economic development plans on its model of a ``business-friendly environment.'' Says city needs higher-paying jobs.
Nelson Harris (D): Says he supports city's efforts to increase downtown housing ``and appropriate infill housing in neighborhoods.'' Says revitalizing neighborhoods, improving schools and attracting employers ``would continue to bring residents to our community.''
2.
What, if anything, should council do about municipal services not being equal from one neighborhood to the next? Be specific.
For mayor
David Bowers (D):``When it comes to schools, public safety, water and sewer, and other essential, basic municipal services, we attempt to be equitable.'' Points out ``not every neighborhood wants the same thing'' and says city should be ``flexible enough'' to respond to each neighborhood.
Pat Green (R):``Require the city manager to make sure that services are equal to all citizens of Roanoke.''
For three four-year seats
David Lisk (R): ``If municipal services are not being distributed on an equal basis, council members need to be informed of specific complaints and, if investigation warrants it, changes should be implemented.''
Alvin Nash (R): Proposes council require city manager to draw up a ``municipal service equity plan'' that lists reasonable response times for various services.
Joseph Nash (I): Says ``generally'' city services are equal from one neighborhood to the next. Says if residents feel a service is needed, then council should ``respond appropriately to the request.''
Carroll Swain (D): Proposes city set up ``citizen contact'' database so council members can keep track of how requests are handled. Proposes map identifying requests for sidewalks, gutters, pothole fixes and other services be displayed in council chambers and updated every six months.
Jim Trout (D): ``When some of our taxpayers have to wait in line for more than thirty years to get a simple curb, our priorities are out of whack.'' Says city needs ``a simplified system'' to identify requests for services and says council needs to know requests are being dealt with.
Linda Wyatt (D): ``I am not sure that what the various neighborhoods need at this point is equal distribution of the available resources.'' Says some need gutters and curbs, others need help with abandoned houses. ``We need to set up a system for allocating resources on the basis of need.''
For two-year seat
Jeff Artis (R): Agrees that municipal services aren't equal from one neighborhood to the next. ``Why? Roanoke City Council likes to look at things through rose-colored glasses and is not responsive to citizens' complaints.'' Says ``this must change.''
Nelson Harris (D): Says council needs to hold city management accountable ``for equity in city services.'' Proposes a council member serve as liaison to Neighborhood Partnership. Says this would allow council ``to become more aware of underserved areas of our community.''
3.
What would you have the city do about deteriorating neighborhoods? Be specific.
For mayor
David Bowers (D): Says he's been a strong supporter of Old Southwest historic district. Says renovation of Jackson Middle School will help ``rejuvenate'' Southeast. Says in ``inner-city neighborhoods,'' the proposed rental inspection program and efforts to encourage single-family housing ``should be helpful.''
Pat Green (R): ``Meet with the neighborhoods that need help. Be a good role model for them. Help them build pride in themselves and their neighborhoods.''
For three four-year seats
David Lisk (R): ``Increase the inspection program to determine whether homes and businesses can be restored for use and remove those that cannot. Encourage more neighborhood citizen groups to become involved in cleanup and beautification such as have begun in some neighborhoods.''
Alvin Nash (R): Says he'd consult Neighborhood Partnership to determine cost of fixing sidewalks, street lighting, alleyways. Proposes to expand the city's enterprise zone to offer tax breaks to developers to build or rebuild housing in certain areas.
Joseph Nash (I): Says better education for youngsters is the long-term solution. Says better infrastructure, such as sidewalks, lighting, ``makes for a more pleasant and safer neighborhood.'' Says crime, especially drug-related, ``will drop dramatically in a better educated, better employed citizenry.''
Carroll Swain (D): Says city may need to ``set some examples to have property owners pay more attention to building code compliance.'' Says city should set a limit on how long a building can sit vacant or boarded up without repair, sale or demolition. Says city should publicize low-interest property improvement programs.
Jim Trout (D): Says he hopes rental inspections will solve some problems. Says city should publicize low-interest loan programs for home ownership and publicize programs on rehabilitation of older homes. Also says city needs faster response to complaints about ``broken glass, overgrown vacant lots and other eyesore problems.''
Linda Wyatt (D): ``I think the answer as to what the city should do about deteriorating neighborhoods lies within the hearts and minds of the citizens who live in those neighborhoods. What should the city do? Ask! And then be willing to do some creative problem-solving with the people of the neighborhood.''
For two-year seat
Jeff Artis (R): Proposes city offer economic incentives to tear down and rebuild abandoned houses. Also proposes Roanoke adopt local versions of legislation proposed in Congress, such as The Family and Moral Renewal Act of 1996.
Nelson Harris (D): Says he'd promote ``better enforcement'' of city building codes and zoning ordinances. Proposes to limit the time houses can remain vacant and boarded up. Proposes to better publicize programs that promote home ownership and rehabilitation. Says he'd encourage formation of civic leagues and/or crime-watch groups.
4.
What would you do to have the city attract more high-paying jobs?
For mayor
David Bowers (D): Says Roanoke ``often leads the commonwealth in the creation of new jobs.'' Says city should join with other localities to erect shell buildings. Supports efforts to create higher education center downtown, and closer ties to Virginia Tech.
Pat Green (R): ``Attract more industry. Encourage more small businesses, and work with them to succeed.''
For three four-year seats
David Lisk (R): ``Provide incentives for more industry to locate in the valley that would create higher-paying jobs for our citizens.''
Alvin Nash (R): Proposes city give ``greater support'' to the Regional Partnership economic development group and the Department of Community Development.
Joseph Nash (I): Says Regional Partnership must ``be more creative and work harder to reach out for new growth industries to settle here.'' Says city should work with existing businesses to help them expand. Says he backs the new business incubator program.
Carroll Swain (D): Says if city and county don't merge economic development offices, their staff should meet monthly to foster more cooperation. Says city should concentrate on luring ``clean niche industries that manufacture specialized parts for high-technology machinery.''
Jim Trout (D): Says city should work with other localities to share cost of developing industrial sites - and then share taxes they produce. Says localities should work together to erect shell buildings. Supports ``the general idea of a university or higher education center in Roanoke.''
Linda Wyatt (D): ``I think we have to make a serious commitment to a `regional approach' for economic development. When we market the Roanoke Valley and the entire region of Southwest Virginia, we automatically market Roanoke.''
For two-year seat
Jeff Artis (R): ``Unless we want to become wards of the state, the city must go out and aggressively recruit businesses to come here. The city can do this either alone or in a business partnership with other localities. Our economic well-being depends on this.''
Nelson Harris (D): Says he'd support ``cooperative efforts'' between the city and neighboring localities. Says he'd work with business leaders ``in the belief that business attracts business.'' Proposes closer ties to Virginia Tech to promote high-tech businesses.
5.
What would you do to speed police response to citizen complaints about crack houses?
For mayor
David Bowers (D): ``Crime is down in Roanoke for the third consecutive year.'' Cites community-oriented policing team and other techniques. Says police ``need to be visible and involved in the neighborhoods they protect.''
Pat Green (R): ``Convince citizens that they will not be targeted if they report a crack house. Offer a reward for information.''
For three four-year seats
David Lisk (R): ``Encourage Police Department to develop a special task force to respond to citizens' complaints and maintain complainants' anonymity.''
Alvin Nash (R): Says police should respond "immediately" to citizens who file complaints. Says police response to criminal activity itself ``should be performed in accordance to proper police procedure.''
Joseph Nash (I): Says he was ``appalled by the lack of ... communication'' between police, fire and zoning officials in battling drug trade in Wasena. Proposes regular meetings between police and neighborhood representatives.
Carroll Swain (D): Proposes city set up police precincts or substations in high-crime areas. ``Response would be more rapid if the police are closer to begin with.''
Jim Trout (D): Says he'd work with police to educate neighborhood groups about what information citizens can provide, ``such as writing down license tag numbers and taking photographs.''
Linda Wyatt (D): Says city should ``take a look'' at codes dealing with abandoned houses and property used for drug dealing. Also promotes the use of community-oriented policing (COPE).
For two-year seat
Jeff Artis (R): ``To a certain extent, the police's hands are tied in this area due to slick lawyers. I would encourage our police force to raid crack houses as often as possible.''
Nelson Harris (D): Says he'd work with residents to develop neighborhood crime-watch strategies. Also proposes to increase police presence in neighborhoods with known crack houses.
LENGTH: Long : 248 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshots) all 10. KEYWORDS: POLITICS MAYOR CITY COUNCILby CNB