ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, May 10, 1996 TAG: 9605100058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
Is it a new day in Roanoke city government, or will there be more of the same?
Some members of the new City Council who will take office July 1 are already making predictions of stronger council leadership, more participation by residents, and renewed attention to basic services in neighborhoods.
But some members of the existing council, including Mayor David Bowers, argue that the election results validate the past four years of city government. They say change, if any, will be slow in coming because residents are generally happy with their government.
Linda Wyatt, who on July 1 will become the second female vice mayor in Roanoke's history, says she heard over and over during the campaign that residents want more say in their government.
"One of the things that was a strand all the way through the campaign was a commitment to make governing more participatory and that we will involve more citizens," she said.
That's likely to mean more grass-roots meetings, like the series that led to the development of a pending rental inspection ordinance.
Councilman-elect Nelson Harris says Tuesday's election means residents can expect an emphasis on neighborhoods and delivery of basic services.
One of the biggest unanswered questions concerns leadership. The current council often has seemed comfortable taking most of its cues from City Manager Bob Herbert. That's been a continuing frustration for Wyatt and Councilman Mac McCadden, who is departing.
Tuesday's election may have given Wyatt new allies on the leadership question.
Councilman-elect Carroll Swain was critical of the city administration during his election campaign, calling for council to hold Herbert more accountable.
Another is Councilman-elect Jim Trout, who won his fifth term on council with strong support in the neighborhoods of Southeast and Northeast.
"I think the message was loud and clear, that citizens want stronger leadership from City Council, and they want council to represent their views," Trout said. "This council is going to provide leadership that's been lacking to date.''
On the other side is Bowers, who argues that the message voters sent by re-electing him is that they're generally satisfied with the way city government is run now.
"I hope yesterday's vote was a good indication of the job I've done as mayor and the job council has done over the last four years," Bowers said. "The majority has basically given us a vote of confidence. I think the perception of the public is that things are going well, and the election is an indication of that."
His allies are likely to be William White, who nearly always votes with the mayor, and the lone Republican on the new council, Jack Parrott. When asked Wednesday what effect the election would have, Parrott replied, "I really don't see any changes, none at all."
That would leave Harris as the swing who could go either way on the leadership question.
McCadden, who is leaving at the end of June, is placing his bets on the status quo.
"It could be good or bad," McCadden said. "It could be that this is a council of change and they'll work together toward that. But as I see it, it could be bad, and none of them will work toward change on anything."
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