Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 26, 1993 TAG: 9403180016
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Republican, Nick Rush, is a 25-year-old driver for Federal Express who scored an upset victory only two years ago to win a seat on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. He is outspoken, aggressive and clearly ambitious. Critical of Richmond for doing too little to help localities meet their economic-development needs, too little to improve public schools or to control crime, Rush suggests state government needs reinventing. He's a blue-collar conservative with a blueprint.
The Democrat, Jim Shuler, is a 49-year-old veterinarian , a Virginia Tech grad, a small-business leader in Blacksburg for the past 20 years, a former member of the Blacksburg Town Council and former member of the State Board of Health. He is soft-spoken and unassuming, a moderate with a reputation for taking a careful, reasoned approach to issues. In contrast with Rush the rebel, Shuler seems a cautious teamplayer.
In the House of Delegates, Shuler likely would continue the steady-as-we-go leadership that has been a hallmark of Munford's legislative career. For his maturity and experience alone, voters in the House's 12th District should elect him.
On a variety of issues, the Democrat's positions are better than Rush's. For example, Shuler supports a five-day waiting period before purchase of a handgun. Rush opposes it. Shuler wants to end the male-only admissions policy at taxpayer-supported Virginia Military Institute. Rush supports keeping the policy.
Unsurprisingly, since District 12 is home to Virginia Tech, higher-education issues are prominent in this race. Both men oppose further cuts in state funds for higher education. To control costs, Shuler says "ridiculous duplication" of programs from college to college can be eliminated. Rush supports limiting tuition increases to the rate of inflation.
Considering that the New River Valley has been hard hit by layoffs and unemployment, it's also not surprising that both candidates are focusing on economic-development issues. Again, Shuler's views are more thoughtful.
Shuler says the legislature must find ways to help existing businesses, particularly small businesses, to expand. He's for getting rid of cumbersome rules and regulations that impede growth. But he also links his support of health-care reform to economic development. The high cost of health care and health insurance is a major drain on businesses' profitability, he notes. It is hindering business expansion, at the same time it is eating up families' and the state's budgets. Shuler suggests, rightly, that channeling more resources to preventive and primary health care would save money.
Rush - a native of Christiansburg and graduate of Christiansburg High School, where his mother still teaches - cites his pro-business record as a Montgomery supervisor, including his work for a new industrial park. He says he believes he's helped foster better cooperation between Christiansburg and Blacksburg, laying the groundwork for more diversified economic development in the county.
But Rush seems at least a little infected by the anti-Blacksburg resentment so evident around Montgomery County, despite the barriers this places in the way of regional progress. And he opposes the proposed "smart road," despite the economic benefits it surely would bring. Rush tempers his position by saying he supports the smart-road research that would be done at Tech, but wants it applied to a more needed roadway, the so-called 3A road project.
Sorry to say, Shuler has dodged this issue altogether. He says he's been advised not to discuss it because property he owns could be condemned for the smart-road project. This is a copout, for which he should feel embarrassed. Even so, Rush's explicit opposition is more troublesome.
Rush is a smart young man possessing political skills beyond his years. With more seasoning in local politics, he might make a better case for higher office. Shuler, though, is the better candidate to succeed Munford.
Keywords:
POLITICS ENDORSEMENT
by CNB