Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 3, 1990 TAG: 9003032583
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Macher, a businessman making his first try for public office, said Friday he'll seek the Republican nomination for one of three council seats up for election this spring.
He will be in a contest with three well-known Democrats and he's not sure he will have any GOP running mates.
But Macher, 37, said the time is right for him to get involved in politics.
"Now is the time for new leaders, a new breed and new faces," he said at a news conference announcing his bid for the nomination.
Macher will have the backing of two influential politicians - Mayor Noel Taylor and Councilwoman Elizabeth Bowles, both Republicans, who posed with him for photographers.
Macher said the Democrats will have a formidable ticket - Councilman Howard Musser, School Board member William Whiter and James Harvey, a former councilman - in a city that traditionally supports Democratic candidates.
"I realize I have an uphill battle, but I believe we need the two-party system - to keep a balance" so council doesn't become a rubber stamp for city officials, he said.
The three seats up for election this spring are held by Musser and James Trout, both Democrats, and Robert Garland, a Republican.
Garland said he hasn't decided whether to seek a new term. The Republicans will have a mass meeting Tuesday night to nominate their candidates.
Although Macher has not run for office previously or been active in politics, he pointed to his community and civic work in more than a half dozen organizations.
Macher and his family own a chain of nine Macado's and Spanky's restaurants. They also own an antiques mall on the City Market.
If elected, Macher promised that he will ask the "hard questions and make the hard decisions" as a councilman. "I won't straddle the fence on issues. I will take a stand," he said.
by CNB