ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 1, 1996 TAG: 9605010022
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
LONG TENURE for members of Christiansburg Town Council is something of a tradition. This year, however, impatience with the status quo seems to have made its way into councilmanic elections.
On a number of issues, residents are saying they want to move ahead with more alacrity and planning and services than have been the old town's custom.
This may help to explain the unusually large number of candidates. Eight men, including two incumbents, are competing for three seats. The mood also seems reflected in the kinds of issues the challengers are pressing. Prominently, these include the need for more responsiveness by council; more quality-of-life amenities, especially for recreation; and a more concerted effort to shore up Christiansburg's eroding sense of community.
The call for expanded recreational facilities has become virtually a grass-roots movement. A swimming pool, for instance, already is included in phase three of the town's 10-year recreation plan, but many residents are insisting it be built sooner.
Responsiveness and recreation concerns converge in the lingering disgruntlement over council's decision to buy a vacated Lowe's building with the intent of turning it into a recreation center - instead of building a new facility. Some residents complain they had no say on the Lowe's project. Some candidates cite this as a reason they entered the race.
Two challengers - Bob Hockett, the owner of a Christiansburg engineering firm; and Jay Newman, a pharmacist - have focused on the town's shortage of ball fields, parks and other recreational facilities. Bob Abraham, a retired businessman, wants to get moving on a swimming pool.
Three others - Richard Ballengee, a semiretired school administrator; Rocco Capozzi, who runs a bed-and-breakfast; and Paul Poff, an employee of the U.S. Postal Service- have highlighted other needs. These include downtown revitalization, public transportation, traffic control near New River Mall and - what seems to be the unanimous concern - better growth management.
The incumbents in the race are Scott Weaver, a council veteran of 28 years, and Wayne Booth, a retired school administrator seeking his third four-year term. Both generally defend their records and the town's progress on many fronts, including development of industrial parks and provision of basic public services.
No matter what happens next Tuesday, the dynamics of this race suggest Christiansburg citizens are starting to ask more of their town government.
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS CITY COUNCILby CNB