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

DATE: FRIDAY, February 4, 1994                   TAG: 9402050017
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

WORRELL PLANS TO RUN FOR MAYOR

As expected, City Councilman Dave Worrell head shot will once again challenge Radford Mayor Tom Starnes for the city's top elective job. Worrell's announcement, in a press release Thursday, ended speculation about his plans for the May 3 municipal vote.

"Whatever happens in this mayor's race, I will continue to serve the citizens of Radford on City Council," he said in his statement.

Worrell, 65, lost his council seat four years ago after he unsuccessfully faced off against Starnes for the mayor's job. He was re-elected to City Council in 1992.

This time around, even if he loses again, he'll still have two more years on council.

Worrell said he thinks voters should have a choice when they go to the polls. He cites his 45 years in public service, including stints on the School Board, as a volunteer fireman and on various boards and commissions.

Worrell is an office supply salesman.

During his last council election campaign, Worrell began holding monthly community meetings to hear voters' complaints and concerns.

City Council later began holding similar sessions of its own every month in council chambers. Individual council members take turns presiding.

Starnes said Thursday he's been anticipating Worrell's announcement ever since Worrell was re-elected two years ago. "I assumed he would run all along," he said.

"I guess it's strictly up to the voters to decide which one will be the best one for the job."

Starnes, a 20-year council veteran, has served as mayor for 14 years. In 1986, he became the city's first popularly elected mayor. He announced plans to seek another term last month.

W.D. ``Bill'' Yerrick, a 49-year-old Radford University official,is running for one of the two City Council seats up for election this year.

One-term Councilman Gary Weddle plans to move to Pulaski County next year and has decided not to run again.

Vice Mayor Polly Corn, a two-term council veteran, is circulating petitions for re-election but has said she's keeping her options open. She said she would decide this month whether she'll be a candidate.

No one else has declared plans to run for either the mayor's job or the two council seats. Candidate declarations and signed petitions must be returned to the State Board of Elections by March 1.

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB