Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 19, 1993 TAG: 9310190145
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
A studio audience of undecided voters asked Democrat Mary Sue Terry and Republican George Allen how they would reform school curriculums, help at-risk students, control college costs and create more jobs.
Both candidates disavowed the outcome-based education reform that Gov. Douglas Wilder scrapped after parents and others complained it focused too much on teaching values rather than academics.
"We'll begin in the Terry administration with a clean slate," Terry told the audience at WTVR-TV. Parents should teach values, she said, but "safety net programs" are needed for children who aren't taught values at home.
Allen said he would stress "not attitudes, but academics." He called for standardized testing of students every two years from fourth to 12th grades.
Terry promoted her plan to spend $100 million to hire more teachers for students at risk of failing. Allen called for more involvement by parents in the schools and parenting classes for those who need help.
Terry said Allen supports vouchers for private school students "that could destroy the bedrock of public education in our schools."
Allen mentioned several times that his 5-year-old daughter attends public school in Albemarle County. Afterward, he declined to say whether he would send her to Richmond public schools if he's elected.
Terry said she would urge colleges to hold the line on tuition increases, offer more scholarships and consolidate degree programs. Allen said colleges should sign contracts with students pledging to hold tuition increases to the inflation rate.
"It's getting so only the wealthy elite can afford to go to colleges," he said. "We have to look at the consumer, the student."
Rick Pfamatter, a Virginia Commonwealth University graduate working as a waiter, asked the candidates how they would create jobs.
Allen promised to create "125,000 job opportunities" while Terry said "jobs will be my No. 1 priority."
After the debate, Pfamatter said he was not satisfied with either answer. "It's very easy to say we're going to do more," he said. He remained undecided, but said he was concerned about Allen's opposition to gun control.
Carolee Duncan, a medical technologist from Henrico County, came in leaning toward Allen and left favoring Terry because of her plans to spend more on at-risk children.
Other audience members said they were still undecided.
"He has some very simplistic approaches," said Jim FaJohn, a computer analyst from Chesterfield County. "She may be grounded a little too much in the old school."
There were fewer negative attacks than in the first two debates, but both candidates tried to tie the other to unpopular politicians. Terry brought up Allen's support from "the radical right," while he asked about her backing of Democratic presidential candidates going back to Jimmy Carter, all of whom lost Virginia.
Terry did not respond directly, but recited her support of gun control, abortion rights and opposition to school vouchers. She told reporters afterward, "This election is not about who I voted for for president."
Allen alleged that while she was attorney attorney, Terry blocked state police from investigating a Petersburg vice mayor accused of sexually assaulting young girls. Terry said local police did not want state help, and the man was convicted and sentenced to a long prison term.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB