Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 28, 1994 TAG: 9410280106
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
He wants to change that.
So he's running for the School Board in the Vinton district.
"A lot of people can't come to board meetings because they work or have other things they have to do when the board meets," he said.
If elected, Stovall, 32, promises to use town meetings to hear the concerns and complaints of parents. He also will be available evenings and mornings.
"I want to be accessible to parents. I want them to feel free to contact me," he said.
Stovall, an investigator with the Vinton Police Department, also wants to help ensure that the schools are safe.
There is no place in schools for weapons, drugs and alcohol, he said, adding that he wants parents to feel their children are safe when they go to school. Stovall has been a school police resource officer, working with children to help them form a positive attitude toward police.
He wants to expand a drug-assistance-education program from elementary and middle schools to high schools.
One of the biggest concerns of county teachers is the need for more discipline of students.
"Teachers are concerned that discipline is slipping away. They want parents to get more involved," he said.
Stovall, who was born and grew up in Vinton, said he is the most diverse candidate in the race, adding that this would be one of his strengths as a board member.
He hopes to use his hometown acquaintances, background and volunteer work for community agencies to boost his first campaign for elected office.
He is the third generation of Stovalls who have lived in the Vinton district. One of Stovall's opponents, Robert Rouse, also was born in and grew up in the Vinton area. Evelyn Ball, the third candidate, grew up in Ohio, but moved to the Vinton district more than 10 years ago.
Stovall has worked for the Vinton Police Department for 12 years, beginning as a dispatcher and working his way up to investigator. He was a volunteer for the Fire Department for 10 years.
As a police officer, Stovall has a reputation of being tough on drunken drivers. In 1987 and 1988, he was the recipient of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award for Vinton for the most drunken-driving arrests.
He also has been active in the Boy Scouts and baseball programs for youngsters.
The Roanoke County Education Association, in backing Stovall, cited his diverse interests and community work.
The teachers said Stovall actively sought their endorsement, saying he admired and respected his former teachers. They said he also promised to work with the Board of Supervisors on finances and other issues.
As a board member, Stovall said he will be an advocate for children. He said he has been interested in schools for many years and he believes the time is right for him to run. He said he would not have run if incumbent Barbara "Bootie" Chewning had entered the race.
Stovall believes that the county should provide more money for schools, especially for teachers' salaries. He favors dividing county tax revenues equally between the School Board and Board of Supervisors.
He believes that the School Board should have the power of taxation, but he doubts that will happen soon.
In the meantime, he believes the School Board can cooperate with the supervisors as long as both bodies agree that the children are the most important issue.
Stovall has no complaints about the way Vinton district schools have been treated. But he understands why parents in Southwest County want a new Cave Spring High School.
Like all the candidates in the School Board election, Stovall is running as an independent, but he has support from both Democrats and Republicans.
The tone of his campaign was set early when 30 family members and friends attended a news conference in front of Herman L. Horn Elementary School, where he announced he was running.
Stovall began his education at the school 26 years ago. His child, Page, is in kindergarten at the same school this year.
MICHAEL STOVALL
VINTON DISTRICT
Age: 32.
Birthplace: Vinton.
Occupation: Investigator for the Vinton Police Department.
Education: Virginia Western Community College; studied administration of justice.
Community activities: Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Crime Prevention Committee; Southwest Crime Prevention Association; adviser to the Vinton Police Department's Cadet Program; Vinton Fire Department.
No. 1 concern or goal as board member: To ensure that I give the people in the Vinton district the best representation I can give them. I want them to have the best representation possible.
Last book read: JFK.
Family: Wife, Patsy; children, Chris, Emory & Henry College; Page, Herman Horn Elementary; and Patrick, 6 months.
Keywords:
POLITICS PROFILE
by CNB