
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 4, 1990                   TAG: 9004040532
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

DEMOCRATS STRESS SLATE'S COMPATIBILITY

The three Democratic candidates for Roanoke City Council said Tuesday night they won't necessarily vote alike on all issues, but they have a compatible political philosophy that will permit them to work together.

"Each of us is pretty independent, but we . . . can resolve issues for the benefit of the city," said William White.

White, a School Board member, said he and his running mates will try to be responsive to the needs of all residents - not big business or special interest groups.

James Harvey said the Democrats haven't disagreed on any issues during the campaign, but that doesn't mean they will always agree.

"We all agree one one thing: We don't think that the school administration should run the city," said Councilman Howard Musser.

At a joint appearance at a meeting of the Southeast Action Forum, the Democrats criticized council's decision last year to replace Don Bartol on the School Board - singling out Councilman James Trout, a Democrat who is seeking re-election as an independent this year, for his role.

Although Bartol didn't live in Southeast, he was principal of Jackson Junior High for many years and was familiar with the children and problems in Southeast, said Harvey, a former councilman seeking a political comeback.

The Democrats have charged that Bartol was replaced because he clashed with School Superintendent Frank Tota on some issues, but other council members have denied this was a factor in Bartol's ouster.

Harvey urged the Southeast residents to vote for the entire Democratic ticket in May, saying this is the only way for them to be assured that council will listen to their concerns.

If elected, White said he would support independent-minded people for the School Board. "I don't want to see us remove people from the board who ask questions," he said.

Trout and the other two candidates for council - Roland Macher, a Republican, and the Rev. Cecil McClanahan, an independent - weren't invited to speak to the Southeast group.

All six candidates have been invited to speak to the Central PTA Council today and the Williamson Road Action Forum on Thursday night.

by CNB