Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, August 13, 1993 TAG: 9308130260
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I will keep coming to Roanoke County so long as there are residents who will invite me," Bowers said Thursday night after a private meeting with a dozen residents in Southwest County.
It was his second meeting with county residents in the past week, and he has two more sessions scheduled in the next month.
Alluding to state Sen. Brandon Bell's call earlier in the day for him to abandon his campaign, Bowers said it's his duty to do what is right, even if others disagree.
Bowers recalled he stood alone last year when he announced he would run for mayor.
Most business and political leaders backed Councilman Howard Musser for the Democratic nomination. And then many backed Republican Wick Anderson in the May election.
Bowers said he faced long odds in the race, just as now, when many leaders see little hope of merger.
"I think the people are watching this issue and what happens to it," he said.
Bowers said the meetings with Roanoke county residents are similar to the summits he held last year to get citizens' views on economic issues.
"I'm trying to get a feel for what county residents are concerned about, and get their ideas and suggestions," he said.
"I did not come here to sell my ideas," he said after the two-hour meeting. "I'm trying to build bridges, not burn them."
Linda LeFever, who attended Thursday night's meeting, said it was a cordial and friendly discussion about the merger issue.
LeFever, who favors consolidation, said the meeting helped the county residents get to know Bowers better.
"I didn't have all of the answers to the concerns, and some of these things will take time," Bowers said.
Earlier Thursday, Bowers met with Richmond Mayor Walter Kenney to discuss cooperative efforts to secure more state aid for cities and to regain the right to annex.
"We share the same concerns on this, and we will be meeting again," Bowers said.
Roanoke, Richmond and several other cities are barred from growing because the General Assembly gave suburban counties immunity from annexation.
by CNB