Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 29, 1990 TAG: 9003290116
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But he doesn't want his name to be on the same billboards with two other candidates: Councilman James Trout and Roland Macher, a businessman making his first try for public office.
So Musser has asked J.W. Inge III, president of the Stanford & Inge Inc. sign company, to paint over his name on billboards on Williamson Road and Ninth Street Southeast.
Musser, a Democrat seeking a third term in the May 1 council election, is running on the party's ticket with William White, a School Board member, and James Harvey, a former councilman.
The three Democrats have several joint campaign billboards, and Musser said he didn't have anything to do with Inge's billboards.
In recent years, Inge has made a habit of using several of his billboards to endorse candidates in state and local elections, sometimes backing a mixed ticket.
Usually, Inge doesn't consult with the candidates or seek their approval.
Inge said Wednesday he thinks Musser, Trout and Macher are the best candidates. "I don't have anything against the others."
Under the city's at-large method for choosing council members, the top three vote-getters will win the three seats.
Trout is a Democrat running as an independent. Macher is a Republican. There is one other independent candidate, the Rev. Cecil McClanahan.
In a letter to Inge, Musser said he understands that Inge has the right to express his support for any candidate.
"However, I feel I must make it very clear to you and all the citizens of the city of Roanoke that I do not now or anytime in the future want my name associated with the other two individuals whose names appear with mine on your billboards," Musser wrote.
"Believe me, I do not want to appear ungrateful for your support, however, I do question the logic of your choice of the other two individuals," Musser said.
Inge said he doesn't know why Musser is upset. "It's not going to hurt him and I think it might help," Inge said.
In the past, some candidates have threatened to sue Inge because their names were on his billboards, but attorneys have advised him that he has the right to endorse whomever he desires.
"You have the newspaper and you can endorse whomever you want. I have the billboards and I can endorse whomever I like, so long as it is not obscene or anything like that," he said.
Inge said his sign painters will be out of the city for the next two or three weeks and may not have time to paint over Musser's name even if Inge decides to have it done.
Trout and Macher said Wednesday they have no objection to their names being on the billboard with Musser.
"Mr. Inge owns the signs and he has a mind of his own. If he wants to list my name first, that is OK. When voters vote, I hope they just pull my name first," Trout said.
by CNB