Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 9, 1993 TAG: 9303090074
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
DEMOCRATS STRESSING EXPERIENCE
The campaign theme for three Democrats seeking re-election in Roanoke this year will be experience and achievement.Sheriff Alvin Hudson, Treasurer Gordon Peters and Commonwealth's Attorney Don Caldwell said Monday at a joint news conference that they will seek their party's nomination for new terms in November.
Together, the three have 45 years of experience in their posts: Hudson, 16; Peters, 16; and Caldwell, 13.
Pointing to the officials' experience and records, Mayor David Bowers called them "the rock-solid team" in competency, accomplishment and integrity.
The Rev. Carl Tinsley, chairman of the city Democratic Committee, said the three are well-known to voters, and said he saw no reason for change.
No Republicans have announced for the posts, but GOP officials are seeking candidates.
Hudson and Peters worked for the city many years before being elected to their current posts. Hudson was a police officer for 27 years and Peters was assistant city treasurer for 12 years.
The three officials, who are unopposed for the Democratic nomination, have the backing of party leaders and officeholders.
Hudson, 64, said he has gotten the city jail accredited by the national accreditation agency for jails despite the overcrowding in recent years. He said he is working with city officials to ease the overcrowding.
Peters, 53, cited his record in overseeing the installation of computer systems for the collection of real estate taxes, personal property taxes, parking violations and sewer and water bills.
If re-elected, Peters said he would continue to be accessible to taxpayers and would maintain his open-door policy that requires no appointment to meet with him and that includes no screening of his phone calls.
Caldwell, 42, pointed to his efforts to assemble a staff of attorneys in his office that is among the best in the state. He said he will try to continue running the office with honesty and integrity and in a non-partisan manner.
The only contest for the Democratic nomination will be for commissioner of revenue, the fourth constitutional officer to be elected in November.
David Anderson, assistant city treasurer, is vying with Marsha Fielder, who works in the commissioner of revenue office in Roanoke County. It is a replay of a political fight four years ago when Anderson beat Fielder for the Democratic nomination.
Anderson was beaten by Republican Jerome Howard, who is retiring this year after 28 years as commissioner of revenue.
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 for the remaining four years in Patsy Testerman's term. Testerman took advantage of a retirement package and retired before her term ended.
The Democrats will choose their nominees on May 15 at a mass meeting at William Fleming High School.
Keywords:
POLITICS