DATE: Wednesday, August 6, 1997             TAG: 9708060480

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORT 

DATELINE: DANVILLE                          LENGTH:   80 lines

POLITICIANS TRY TO WEED OUT THE ANXIETY ON TOBACCO FARMS

Tobacco selling season officially opened Tuesday and a group of aspiring statewide politicians were on hand to assure growers they won't be abandoned.

Politicians almost always show up on opening day of the selling season. Inhaling the syrupy, pungent aroma of the burlap-drapped tobacco that sits ready for the auctioneer's song, they make small talk with farmers about prices and rain and deliver short speeches.

But 1997 is no ordinary year for Virginia's tobacco farmers.

After all, they've had to worry about the weather and the low prices and the political atmosphere and the FDA and the settlement before Congress.

Republican gubernatorial nominee James S. Gilmore III was on hand to tell the farmers that their interests will be protected. So were the two candidates for lieutenant governor, and William D. Dolan, the Democratic nominee for attorney general.

Said Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor L.F. Payne: ``This is the 10th consecutive year we've gotten together to open the tobacco market here in Danville. . . . We've always had challenges. But working together, we've met those challenges.''

John Hager, the GOP candidate for lieutenant governor and a former tobacco company executive, told the crowd of about 300 at the Bright Leaf Warehouse that he knows the concerns of growers because he has negotiated with them before on industry issues.

``We must stay together; we must fight together; we must keep a positive attitude; we must keep tobacco and agriculture up front in Virginia,'' Hager said.

Said Gilmore: ``For centuries, Virginia's tobacco farmers have worked hard in an important way of life. . . . As your governor, I'll continue to stand with the tobacco farmers of Virginia.''

Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr., the Democratic candidate for governor, wasn't saying anything.

He wasn't in Danville Tuesday and maybe wouldn't have been too warmly welcomed if his schedule had allowed him to be there.

Beyer has supported federal Food and Drug Administration regulation of nicotine while also promising to fight for protections for Virginia tobacco farmers, Gilmore noted.

``Don't put your future in the hands of someone who moves around and flip-flops all the time just to get votes,'' Gilmore said.

Gilmore said he worked on behalf of Virginia's $5-billion-a-year tobacco industry while attorney general and monitored negotiations in the huge settlement with tobacco companies. He also touted his record against youth smoking by pointing to legislation he authored that increased the penalty for selling tobacco to minors.

Under the proposed tobacco settlement, which requires congressional approval, lawsuits by dozens of state and local governments would be dropped. The tobacco companies would pay $368 billion in penalties. Virginia was one of 10 states that did not join in the suits to recover smoking-related health costs.

Gilmore has been criticized by some for staying out of the settlement talks and not doing more to protect farmers. Keith Atkinson, a Java tobacco farmer, said he would like to know what Gilmore accomplished by monitoring negotiators and staying in touch with U.S. congressional representatives.

``Gilmore's saying he was in contact with them, but I haven't seen the results of that,'' Atkinson said. ``Just telling that you were in contact with them . . . that's not telling me anything.''

Democrat Payne, the retired congressman whose district covered most of Virginia's tobacco-growing Southside, told the growers that he has fought against threats to the industry, including excessive excise taxes and unfair trade practices.

Payne also backed the recent proposal by growers' groups to seek money to lessen any economic harm caused by a tobacco settlement.

``That is a good proposal. It's one that is going to provide some resources to ensure that you are protected as we move through this settlement process, and it's important that that happens,'' Payne said.

Most farmers who were asked said they are leaning toward voting for Gilmore.

``I think the ones I've talked to are supporting Gilmore because he came out supporting tobacco,'' said Ray Emerson Sr., Pittsylvania County grower.

Darryll Jackson, an Axton farmer, said that he'll be voting for Gilmore, saying that even though he's a Democrat, ``I'll support who supports me.'' MEMO: Staff writer Warren Fiske, the Danville Register & Bee and The

Associated Press contributed to this report.

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