Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 5, 1993 TAG: 9303050171
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
REVENUE POST SOUGHT
Stressing both her experience and youth, Marsha Compton Fielder announced Thursday that she will seek the Democratic nomination for commissioner of revenue in Roanoke.Fielder, 32, said she would bring "new ideas and new energy" to the post at a time when localities are facing financial pressure.
"With my energy, we can assure that the commissioner of revenue serves the citizens and does the job," she said.
Her announcement means there will be a replay of the political fight four years ago, when she lost a bid for the Democratic nomination.
Her opponent again will be David Anderson, assistant city treasurer. Anderson, who has the backing of most Democratic officeholders, had said earlier he would seek the party's nomination.
Commissioner of Revenue Jerome Howard, a Republican who has held the post for 28 years, has decided to retire.
Howard beat Anderson by nearly 4,000 votes four years ago, winning 58 percent of the vote.
The Democrats will choose their candidates for commissioner of revenue and other constitutional offices at a mass meeting on May 15.
Fielder has worked in the commissioner of revenue office in Roanoke County for 13 years. She is the daughter of Wayne Compton, county commissioner of revenue.
Fielder, who has a business-management degree from Virginia Western Community College, said her education and experience would be helpful in the post.
The commissioner levies business, personal property and real estate taxes. The commissioner also processes applications for business, professional and occupational licenses.
The Republicans have said they are seeking a candidate for the post, but no one has announced for the GOP nomination.
Howard is the only Republican among the city's five constitutional officers.
The constitutional officers are answerable to voters and taxpayers, not to city administrators. Neither council, the city manager nor the finance director has jurisdiction over the constitutional officers.
Three Democratic officers will seek re-election this year: Treasurer Gordon Peters, Sheriff Alvin Hudson and Commonwealth's Attorney Don Caldwell. They have scheduled a news conference Monday to kick off their campaigns.
Circuit Court Clerk Arthur "Bert" Crush, the other constitutional officer, won't be up for election this year. The clerk serves an eight-year term.
Crush, a Democrat, won the post in a special election last year for the remaining four years in Patsy Testerman's term.
Keywords:
POLITICS