Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 26, 1992 TAG: 9202260293
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
ANDERSON RESTS ON HIS RECORD
Willis "Wick" Anderson, a corporate lawyer whose political career has spanned three decades, will try to become mayor of Roanoke again.Tuesday night, at the Republican mass meeting, he tried to dispel the notion that he has been "packed away in mothballs" since the 1960s.
Anderson said he has been serving the city and state - in and out of public office - even though he has not been on City Council or directly involved in city government.
In accepting the Republican nomination for the May 5 election, Anderson, 63, said he has been no Rip Van Winkle since he left the mayor's post in 1962. He noted that a recent newspaper editorial described him as a "name from the '60s."
He said that didn't offend him, but he knew he had to overcome the perception that he has been inactive.
"I have been around, alive and well, and perhaps I've left a few footprints in the sand," he told the Republicans who gathered to nominate their mayoral and City Council candidates.
Since leaving the mayor's job, Anderson said he has:
Served in the House of Delegates for eight years during a period of rapid growth and change in the state.
Served two terms on the state Board of Elections, having been its chairman and vice chairman.
Helped establish the affiliation between Roanoke Valley hospitals and the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
Been a trustee for 30 years for the Greater Roanoke Valley Development Foundation, a privately funded organization that has helped finance business and industrial growth.
Co-sponsored legislation that created the state's community college system. He also served on Virginia Western Community College's board for eight years. He is a trustee of the Virginia Western Foundation and a member of the Roanoke College Community Advisory Council.
Been active in the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Roanoke Regional Chamber. He also has been on the Virginia Chamber's special task force on education.
Served as chairman of Roanokers for Flood Reduction, a committee that helped win voter approval of a $7.5 million bond issue to help finance the Roanoke River flood-reduction project.
Anderson, general counsel for Shenandoah Life Insurance Co., said his business experience also has helped prepare him to be mayor again.
"Economic opportunity is made possible by business enterprise. I know something about business," he said. "For 23 years, I've been an officer of [a] company which now does business throughout Virginia and 20 other states."
Anderson signaled his intent to use his name identity and long record of community and political service to help win support in his campaign against his Democratic opponent, Councilman David Bowers. Vice Mayor Howard Musser, a Democrat who was beaten by Bowers for the party's nomination, is to announce Thursday whether he will run as an independent.
Republican Party leaders believe Anderson will have appeal for voters because they will understand that he is running for mayor again out of civic duty rather than political ambition.
"He is seeking the post for the good of the city, not for any personal aggrandizement," said Robert Goodlatte, who is seeking the GOP nomination for the 6th Congressional District.
Anderson's business experience will help him lead the city's economic development effort and create more jobs, Goodlatte said.
GOP officials think Anderson will provide a sharp contrast to Bowers and project an image of a mature and thoughtful team player.
They believe he will have a special appeal for elderly voters who remember him as mayor and state legislator. Party strategists also think he will have the backing of the business community.
William Fralin, vice chairman of the Republican Committee, said he thinks Anderson's message will reassure voters who might be nervous about Bowers.
Anderson began his political career when Bowers, 39, was still in grade school.
He was elected to City Council in 1958, when he was 29. In 1960, council members chose him mayor when he was 31 - before the mayor was directly elected by the voters.
Anderson promised that the Republican ticket will listen to voters during the campaign and will enter into debates with the Democrats.
The GOP candidates for the three council seats are Councilwoman Elizabeth Bowles, Beverly Lambert and Delvis "Mac" McCadden.
"We will talk to you about the things we'll strive for and the way we are prepared to strive," Anderson said.
Anderson said the Republicans will talk about the issues: jobs and economic growth, taxes, schools, safe streets, Hotel Roanoke and a conference center, and the Jefferson Center, among others.
In an allusion to Bowers' populist theme of class and economic divisions, Anderson said he believes the GOP ticket will produce a consensus.
"I believe this consensus includes not only the leaders of our community, including candidates for City Council, but most of our citizens as well," he said.
"This tells me that we are a city and a people united in our aspirations and not divided by race, class or place of abode."
This will be the first time Anderson has run as a Republican in a political career that began in the 1950s. He was a Democrat until 1984.
Anderson changed parties when former president Ronald Reagan ran for re-election. He said then that his decision to bolt the Democratic Party was based on his dissatisfaction with the national party organization. He said he could not support Walter Mondale, who was the Democratic nominee for president.
"I haven't been enthusiastic about a Democratic presidential candidate in years," he said then.
"It's become increasingly more frustrating. Rather than tiptoeing around and hoping no one would ask me what I thought of the Democratic candidates," he switched parties openly.
Anderson never has lost an election in the city, although he failed in two bids for Congress in the 6th District, which includes Roanoke.
He paid special tribute to Noel Taylor, a Republican who will retire in June after 16 1/2 years as mayor and 22 years as a councilman.
"While it is my sincere desire to succeed [him], I know that I cannot replace him. He is unique and irreplaceable."
As a state legislator, Anderson was considered a moderate in the House and was a member of the Finance; Roads; and Counties, Cities and Towns committees.
He said much of his focus as a legislator was on local government legislation and relationships among local governments.
Anderson also was a member of the Hahn Commission, a study group that made broad recommendations that were designed to increase regional cooperation among local governments in the late 1960s.
Virginia's system of regional planning districts were created as a result of the commission's recommendations and legislation that Anderson helped sponsor.
Keywords:
POLITICS