Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 22, 1993 TAG: 9308220121
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL HOWES and JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Councilman James Harvey, a close friend and political ally of the one-time vice mayor, said doctors confirmed that Musser had a stroke. The prognosis for the 63-year-old councilman - also an independent candidate for commissioner of revenue - was uncertain as of late Saturday.
Harvey said he had called Musser repeatedly Saturday morning but got no answer; nor did Musser respond to knocks on his door. Harvey, who owns the building in which Musser lives, found the councilman stricken, his speech slurred.
Lynn Lippard, a nursing supervisor at Lewis-Gale in Salem, would confirm only that Musser was listed in guarded condition Saturday. She declined to elaborate on his medical condition.
News of Musser's illness came after a week of controversy over City Council's possible purchase of Roanoke Gas Co. Council is expected to vote Monday on whether to pursue its option to acquire the utility, a possibility allowed in the city's 20-year franchise agreement with Roanoke Gas.
Mayor David Bowers, wishing Musser a speedy recovery, said Musser council will move ahead with plans to hold an 11 a.m. special meeting, followed by its regular session at 2 p.m.
Indications late Friday were that it will be 5-2 in favor of exploring acquisition of the gas company.
By Friday, Musser, Harvey, Bowers, Elizabeth Bowles and William White had indicated they intend to vote "yes" Monday, meaning they favor considering the acquiring of the utility's assets within Roanoke. Delvis "Mac" McCadden appeared undecided; Vice Mayor Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr. said Thursday he intends to vote "no."
Musser's absence from the meeting presumably weakens the majority and opens the possibility of a tie vote.
On Saturday, Roanoke Gas continued its lobbying campaign, hand-delivering letters to each member of council.
The letters, according to a source who asked not to be identified, underscored that the gas company pays considerably more than its $30,000 annual franchise fee to city coffers. For the year ended in July, the company paid nearly $1.6 million in utility taxes to the city.
Signed by Roanoke Gas President Frank Farmer, the letter contended that city acquisition of Roanoke Gas' assets would prove too costly for city taxpayers, especially once legal and consulting fees are tallied.
Farmer also said the company would perceive a "yes" vote Monday as the city's first step toward acquisition of the gas company - not just a move to preserve an option in franchise negotiations, as the city insists it means.
The letter also warned that acquisition of the gas company would hamper economic development efforts and likely would damage already-strained relations between valley governments.
by CNB