Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 1, 1990 TAG: 9005010368
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Many more thousands, however, will not. If the day goes according to past form, the turnout of age-eligible voters at best will be maybe 25 percent.
In Roanoke, that 25 percent will decide who among six men will win three seats on City Council. Council is elected at large; each voter may vote for up to three candidates. (The terms of the mayor and the other three members of council don't expire until 1992.)
We have recommended the elections of William White and incumbent Howard Musser, both Democrats, and incumbent James Trout, a sometime Democrat running as an independent. Other candidates are former Councilman James Harvey, a Democrat; Roland "Spanky" Macher, a Republican; and independent Cecil McClanahan.
In addition, we have recommended approval of the $15.2-million bond issue that is on today's Roanoke City ballots. It would fund such projects as storm drainage in the Peters Creek area, asbestos removal from city schools and the city's share of the costs of renovating the old Jefferson High School. It has drawn no formal opposition.
Among other races in Western Virginia, a couple are of special interest. For mayor of Radford, incumbent Thomas Starnes faces Councilman David Worrell. For Blacksburg Town Council, incumbents Joyce Lewis, Al Leighton and Lewis Barnett are being challenged by Ray Chisholm and Frank Teske Sr. We have taken editorial note of these races, but have not made endorsements in them.
Municipal politics aren't the be-all and end-all of existence. Great issues of war and peace aren't decided by city and town councils in the mountains and valleys of Western Virginia.
But the way in which your city or town is governed can have a direct impact on your life.
The quality of the schools attended by your children or grandchildren . . . the degree of police and fire protection provided you and your family . . . where your garbage goes and what's done with it . . . what you're allowed to do with your property, and what your neighbor is allowed to do with his or hers . . . the physical appearance of your community . . . the purity of the water you drink . . . the size of your tax bills . . . even the flourishing or absence of the arts: All these things and more are determined at least in part by who's elected to local governing bodies.
Moreover, there's a reasonable chance in local elections that your vote will make the difference. A switch of only 13 votes in 1988 would have changed the composition of the current Roanoke City Council.
If you aren't registered to vote, it's too late for today's elections. But it's not too late to register for the next election. This advice, of course, is equally applicable to prospective voters who don't live in a city or town with contested races today.
If you are registered, and if you live where there's an election today, get off the couch. You have till 7 p.m. to make your voice count.
by CNB