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

DATE: TUESDAY, June 7, 1994                   TAG: 9406070083
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: |By JOEL TURNER| |STAFF WRITER|
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION

The field of candidates for the Roanoke County School Board could become crowded in this fall's election - and could produce at least two new members.

Barbara "Bootie" Chewning, who has represented the Vinton District for 12 years, said Monday that she might not run, although supporters are urging her to get into the race.

"I'm leaning to not running, but some people are asking me to," Chewning said. "Some people want me to wait and see what happens before I make a decision."

If she bows out, the five-member School Board will get two new members.

Charlsie Pafford, who represents the Windsor Hills District, announced earlier she will not be a candidate. Like Chewning, Pafford has been on the board for 12 years.

A third incumbent, Jerry Canada, is running to keep his seat as the Hollins District representative. So far Canada does not have opposition.

Pafford said she announced her decision early because some people are interested in running for the Windsor Hills seat. Raymond Denney, an employee of the state Department of Social Services, already has entered the race.

If Chewning becomes a candidate, there will be at least four candidates in the Vinton District, with the Aug. 26 filing deadline still more than two months away.

The three Vinton candidates are: Michael Stovall, an investigator for the Vinton Police Department; Evelyn Ball, a parent-teacher association leader; and Robert Rouse, a Realtor.

The candidates are running as independents because the state law governing school board elections discourages a partisan approach. There is no provision for political parties to nominate candidates.

Instead, candidates may be placed on the ballot only by filing a petition containing the signatures of 125 registered voters.

This fall's election will be the first time in Roanoke County that voters will select School Board members. Current board members were selected by a commission appointed by Roanoke County Circuit Court judges.

The seats of Chairman Frank Thomas of Catawba and Maurice "Buck" Mitchell of Cave Spring will be up for election in November 1995.

by CNB