ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 27, 1997 TAG: 9703270035
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN THE ROANOKE TIMES
Montgomery board member tells fellow Republicans that he has "other interests that I wish to pursue ..."
Henry Jablonski will not seek a fifth term on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors.
Jablonski, the board's vice chairman who has also served several years as chairman, made the announcement at Wednesday's Republican Party monthly luncheon.
"As a member of my family has so ungraciously reminded me, a child who had started school when I took office in 1982 would have graduated from high school and received a degree from college while I have served on the Board of Supervisors," Jablonski said.
"So the analogy has been made that it may be time for my graduation as well."
Jablonski, 61, is a retired employee of Hercules, which formerly operated the Radford Army Ammunition Plant. He represents Christiansburg and Riner as the District D supervisor.
Riner issues have occupied much of the board's attention in the last four years.
A contentious fight over land needed for a new elementary school, and concerns about new housing and other businesses coming to Riner prompted the formation of The Friends of Riner, a group that says it isn't against growth but wants it managed properly. The group was recently successful in its efforts to keep 20 town houses out of Riner.
Now the community is weighing the benefits and disadvantages of a proposed golf resort off Virginia 8. Growth in the Riner area is likely to continue as a major issue and play a part in the upcoming supervisor's race.
Jablonski told his fellow Republicans on Wednesday that he had "other interests that I wish to pursue, and I feel that I need to consider other opportunities as well." He declined to elaborate.
Jablonski said that when he initially ran for supervisor, he figured on serving a term or two.
"I have pretty much known that I would be making this announcement today when I sought the fourth term four years ago, and this knowledge has given me great freedom in considering community issues, and in making input to complete committee actions and projects before this term ends."
Jablonski serves on the site selection committee made up of supervisors and School Board members who are looking at possible sites for new schools. He has also been very involved in economic development.
In the face of numerous layoffs from manufacturing jobs, including
at the arsenal, and after the county lost two major industrial prospects to other states, Jablonski pushed hard for the board to make a new financial commitment to economic development. One result: the purchase of the Falling Branch site for a future industrial park.
Jablonski also spearheaded a revenue-sharing agreement between Montgomery County and Radford to control development along the Virginia 177 corridor leading from the city to the interstate where the new Carilion Radford Community Hospital is under construction.
Jablonski's announcement means at least two new faces on the Board of Supervisors next year: Democrat Jim Moore of District A announced last month that he would not seek a third term. District A includes a slice of downtown Blacksburg and several of its major residential neighborhoods. It also includes the Mount Tabor area, Preston Forest and the Catawba Valley.
Republican Joe Stewart, 82, whose district covers the southeast quarter of Montgomery County including Shawsville and Elliston, announced last week that he would seek a fifth term.
The Republicans will hold their mass meeting to nominate candidates at 10 a.m. May 24 at the County Courthouse.
So far, no Democratic candidates have stepped forward for any of the three open seats, although rumors are beginning to circulate and candidates starting to sent up "trial balloons."
"No one has announced, however, there are some folks who are mulling it over," said Steve Cochran, vice chairman of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee.
The Democrats' mass meeting to select candidates will likely be in late May, Cochran said.
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Jablonski KEYWORDS: POLITICS BOARD OF SUPERVISORSby CNB