Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 6, 1993                   TAG: 9310060070
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

NEW GROUP, OLD IDEA: NONPARTISAN'S THE TICKET

The organizers of a new group that is seeking a nonpartisan slate to run for Roanoke City Council don't want it to become known as just a business-community ticket.

But they might have to fight that perception unless they gain grass-roots support for a nonpartisan approach in the May election, in which four seats will be on the ballot.

The group, calling itself Action '94, is trying to broaden its support by opening a post office box and installing a telephone answering service for those who are interested in joining the campaign.

To counter the notion that it's a business effort, the group's leaders point to its broad-based executive committee, which includes a public housing resident and the director of a community service agency in addition to business and professional people.

But it remains uncertain whether the new group will succeed in convincing voters to turn away from partisan allegiances.

"I wish we could capitalize on the good things that Roanoke Forward did and avoid the bad things," said one leader in Action '94 who didn't want to be identified.

They want to emulate the political success of Roanoke Forward, but avoid the perception that a few business leaders are trying to run the city.

Roanoke Forward was a council ticket backed by the business community in the mid-1970s that swept all seven council seats in one election. The candidates ran on a nonpartisan slate.

The Roanoke Forward council controlled the city until the mid-1980s, when populist-style Democrats won a majority of the seats. The Democrats have not always voted as a bloc, however, and partisan decisions have not been common.

The new group is using some of the same arguments for running a nonpartisan slate as business leaders did nearly two decades ago.

The group views next year's election as pivotal, one that could help shape the city's future. Because of illness and resignations, there could be a big turnover on council.

"When it became obvious there could be a lot of change on council next year, a small group of us started talking about whether we should try to do something like this," said Dale Allen, chairman of the organization.

As the group explored the idea, Allen said, there was consensus that it should get involved in a nonpartisan manner if it was to help encourage growth and progressive policies.

"Partisan politics, especially at the local level, brings a lot of baggage to the table," Allen said. "It's our impression there is too much politics in decisions affecting the city."

The new group doesn't want to "start a war" with the current council members, all of whom were elected on partisan tickets, Allen said

"What is best for the party agenda is not always what is best for the city," he said.

Leaders of the new group see some parallels with the national scene and the popularity of Ross Perot, the Texas businessman who received nearly 20 million votes in his independent campaign to become president.

"There is a feeling that people are fed up with politics as usual," Allen said.

Allen disavows any attempt to target any council members, but the group is more closely aligned with Vice Mayor Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr., a sometime rival of Mayor David Bowers.

"We are not out to get anyone," Allen said.

But it appears the group would like to deny Bowers from getting a working majority on council, even though its leaders deny it.

Bowers, a Democrat, said he has no problem with the new group, but he expects to support the Democratic candidates in May, just as former Mayor Noel Taylor endorsed Republican candidates when he held the post.

Fitzpatrick, who has strong support in the business community, will leave council Oct. 15 and become director of the New Century Council to develop a strategic plan for the Roanoke and New River valleys.

With Fitzpatrick's departure, some business leaders worry they won't have an advocate on council. Fitzpatrick's resignation helped spur formation of the new group.

Rob Glenn, chairman of the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority, helped organize the group. He has worked in Fitzpatrick's campaigns.

"It's not so much dissatisfaction with [council] as it is with the partisan things," Glenn said, but he did not cite specific incidents.

"I don't see anything super wrong with council, but the citizens need to set the agenda," Allen said.

Leaders point to the recent controversy over the city's aborted attempt to take over Roanoke Gas Co. as evidence that city officials are sometimes out of touch with voters.

Allen said it's possible the organization might endorse one or more of the incumbents if they seek re-election and share its position on issues.

The group has not identified its issues, he said, but will focus on improving the quality of life in the Roanoke Valley. The group is starting seven months before the election so there will be plenty of time to discuss the issues.

Keywords:
POLITICS