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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 2, 1994                   TAG: 9402020204
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ACTION '94 LACKING CANDIDATES GROUP FINDS FEW PEOPLE WILLING OR ABLE TO RUN

A citizens organization, Action '94, will neither field its own candidates nor endorse any candidates in the contest.

"A lot of people were interested, but they were just not willing to run," said Dale Allen, chairman of the group.

Allen said Tuesday that several potential candidates did not have the time to serve if they were elected. Some were changing careers or jobs.

Others said it would conflict with their jobs and they would not be ready to take on the additional responsibility.

Some potential candidates also have a strong distaste for the political arena, Allen said.

"We found that some of the area's best and brightest citizens have varied reasons for not serving on council," he said.

"We feel it is important for the public to be aware that these obstacles exist and should be addressed in the near future to assure the best possible leadership choices."

Serving on council is considered to be a part-time job providing a salary of $13,000. The mayor earns $15,000.

"We've got a lot of people who are willing to work to help others get elected, but they don't want to run themselves," Allen said.

Allen said the nonpartisan group feared that it could cause more conflict if it fielded a council slate because the political parties are running candidates.

"We felt like it could be less divisive to identify the issues that are important in the upcoming election," he said.

Allen said a survey by the group found these to be the top issues:

A need for a strong cooperative economic development effort by all Roanoke Valley localities.

A desire for the localities to cooperate with each other to improve economic growth and quality of life for the valley.

Top priority should be given to education and the training of children as well as the continuing education of the work force.

The nonpartisan group views this to be a pivotal election which could help shape the city's future. Because of illness and resignation, the May election could cause a big turnover on council.

Six Democrats are seeking the party's nomination in a March 1 primary for the four seats, all held by Democrats.

Democratic council members John Edwards, James Harvey and William White are running for new terms. Councilman Howard Musser is not seeking re-election.

Former Councilman James Trout, the Rev. Nelson Harris and Linda Wyatt are also in the primary contest.

Republican leaders say they expect to have several candidates, but they are not certain the party will have a full slate of candidates.

John Voit, a college instructor and personal investor, is the only announced candidate for the GOP nomination. But other Republican hopefuls are expected to get into the contest before the party chooses its nominees at a mass meeting Feb. 15.

Allen said Action '94 first filed with the state Board of Elections as a political action group in case it decided to support individuals or a slate of candidates.

But he said the group will no longer operate as a political action committee and will donate collected proceeds to the newly formed New Century Council, which is developing an economic vision for the New River and Roanoke valleys.

Keywords:
POLITICS