ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 19, 1997 TAG: 9704210035
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRISTINA NUCKOLS THE ROANOKE TIMES
Johnson criticized challenger Don Terp's proposal to abolish the county's police department.
Saying he hopes the campaign for the Hollins seat on the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors will be one "of issues and not apologies," incumbent Bob Johnson announced Friday he will seek a fourth term.
Johnson, who serves as chairman of the Board of Supervisors, already has a challenger. Don Terp, a longtime critic of Roanoke County government, announced last month that he would run as an independent candidate.
Johnson criticized Terp's proposal to abolish the county's police department and revert back to a sheriff-run law enforcement system.
Terp presented that proposal during a news conference Thursday. He said the reversion would save the county $1.5 million to $3 million by reducing the number of law enforcement personnel and vehicles. He said that money could be used to help pay for school improvements and to cover a tax cut.
Johnson said Terp inflated the potential savings by "300 to 600 percent." He also branded as "a lie" Terp's statement that "a number of Virginia counties" have abolished their police departments.
Terp had cited South Boston when asked for examples. South Boston - which is a town, not a county - retained its police department when it reverted from city to town status in 1995.
Police officials have declined to comment on the proposal.
Sheriff Gerald Holt, a former county police officer himself, called Terp's plan "a surprise." He said he would not endorse or criticize the proposal, but noted that he would continue his efforts as chairman of the selection committee that is searching for a new county police chief.
The police department employs 138 people, 101 of whom are sworn officers. The sheriff's department, which oversees the jail and handles court security, has 76 employees. Based on state staffing standards that call for one law enforcement officer per 2,000 population, Terp estimated the state would pay for 40 new deputies if Roanoke County opted to return to a sheriff system.
Johnson questioned whether the county would receive the full 40 positions, noting the State Compensation Board's decision to cut five positions from the sheriff's staff last year.
"If you can get a straight answer out of the State Compensation Board, you're doing a better job than Sheriff Holt or anybody else in this county," he said.
Johnson, owner of RealStar Realtors, made his announcement at the Blue Ridge Library, which is shared with Botetourt County and located just outside the Roanoke County line, to emphasize his support for regionalism. He listed economic development, greenway development and school improvements as top priorities for the coming year.
He said he was willing to debate Terp "anywhere, anytime, anyplace."
"If he wants to personalize it, I've never walked away from a fight yet," he said, but added, "I hope we can do away with campaigning until September or October."
Johnson said he is receiving support from some Republican activists. The county's Republican Committee has yet to identify a candidate, and its leaders have been estranged from Terp since he left the party in 1990.
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Johnson KEYWORDS: POLITICS BOARD OF SUPERVISORSby CNB