Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 30, 1993 TAG: 9310300238
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MICHAEL CSOLLANY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Candidates for the House of Delegates and the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors did not stray far from these issues at a forum Thursday night.
Morgan Griffith, the Republican candidate for the 8th District House seat being vacated by Steve Agee, stressed the importance of transportation to the history and future of the Roanoke and New River valleys.
Griffith supports Interstate 73 being routed through the district, an inland port concept and an intermodal rail terminal for trucks and trains.
With the possible passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement, Griffith said, such a terminal would be a boon to companies shipping goods to Mexico. "We have the ability, we have all these rail lines to do it," he said.
Howard Packett, the Democratic candidate, said a more businesslike approach to government is needed.
The small-businessman said that when he reviewed his company's budget, he discovered an unneeded storage room costing $350 per month. The advertising firm axed the expenditure, he said.
"We need to do that in Richmond. How many $350 storerooms are down there?" he asked.
Packett also stressed tourism for economic growth. "We need to communicate to people that we've got a beautiful part of Virginia here," he said.
He advocated using low-frequency radio to lure travelers from the Interstate 81.
Packett also noted his role in negotiating with a paper-recycling company to locate at the Radford Army Ammunition Arsenal. He has previously said a fireworks plant could locate there.
Griffith dismissed Packett's suggestions as "icing on the cake."
On crime, the two candidates mirror the gubernatorial candidates.
Packett supports a five-day waiting period for handgun purchases and more preventative programs - such as Head Start and the DARE program. "We can't keep building jails to keep our young people in," he said.
Griffith does not support gun control. He said parole for violent criminals should be abolished. "Preventative programs, I think they're great; but when they fail, we can't coddle criminals," he said.
He said the costs for abolishing parole could come from turning prisons over to private agencies and using electronic monitoring - or house arrest - for nonviolent criminals.
Regarding education, Packett suggested that some of the money being used to build a state lottery building in Richmond should be returned to education.
He also advocated equity in dividing state funds among schools. "We've paid our fair share of taxes, and it's got to come back here where it belongs," he said.
Griffith pledged $4,000 of his salary per term to educational endeavors as a symbol of his commitment to schools.
Candidates for the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors also were concerned about education. But they also spoke about solid-waste disposal, economic development and preservation.
Jim Smith, a candidate in District C - which includes Shawsville, Elliston and the eastern part of the county - stressed the importance of equity among county schools and services.
"The schools in District C need the same amount of attention as other county schools," he said.
He also said there was a need to improve secondary roads.
Smith's opponent, incumbent Supervisor Joe Stewart, was unable to attend the forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, because of a scheduling conflict.
Incumbent Supervisor Henry Jablonski, trying to ward off a challenge by Jim Martin for the District D seat, noted his accomplishments while on the board.
Jablonski said county efforts in job development have brought industries to the community. "We need to develop additional sites that will allow industries to move quickly," he said.
Jablonski also noted his support of county schools and said he will pay attention to growing class size.
He opposed the use of county landfills by other jurisdictions without long-term agreements.
Martin said his role as a lifelong resident of the county and parent of students in county schools will serve the citizens.
He supported economic development, but not at the expense of the environment.
by CNB