ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 8, 1996 TAG: 9605080084
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: SCOTTSVILLE
SOURCE: Associated Press
Unlike most small towns scattered along the James River, Scottsville no longer fears the river's wrath, thanks to an impressive levee.
But the man many credit with preserving Scottsville is leaving. In Tuesday's election, Mayor A. Raymon Thacker - who has served since 1966 - was replaced by Town Councilman Robert K. Spencer, unofficial results showed.
Even though Thacker, 86, announced his retirement in January, some of the town's 521 residents organized a write-in campaign to try to give Thacker his 16th term. His name wasn't on the ballot.
When the election results were announced, Thacker said, ``It's quite a relief.''
``I just gave the people the chance if they wanted to vote for me. Now I can celebrate,'' he said. ``I've got plenty to do.''
Thacker thought he was through with elected office and didn't campaign for another term. But supporters approached him in such numbers that he announced last week he would serve if he won by write-in.
Spencer received 87 votes. Andrew H. Johnson, also on the ballot, had 47 votes, said Jackie Harris, deputy registrar for Albemarle County. There were 62 write-in votes, but Harris couldn't say whether all were for Thacker.
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines KEYWORDS: ELECTIONby CNB