Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 9, 1995 TAG: 9506090062
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: B. LYNN WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: PEARISBURG LENGTH: Long
Despite the troubles that have dogged his tenure, rumors abound that Cook wants a second term and residents report petitions are being circulated to put him on the ballot.
Cook has neither confirmed nor denied the rumors. When asked recently about his future plans, he said only that he would have an announcement about his intentions soon. "I do have plans, but I am not prepared to disclose them at this time," Cook said.
If Cook, who has wrangled with the Board of Supervisors over financial reports and accounting records, does decide to run, he faces at least six opponents and possibly more by the time the June 13 deadline for filing petitions rolls around. Candidates for the $44,000-a-year, four-year post include: JoAnn Atkins, Laura Collins, Clayton Davis, Bendy Farewell Shrader, Clay Stafford and Curtis Williams.
Atkins of Pembroke is vice chairman of the Giles County Planning Commission. She and her husband, Sammy Atkins, have owned and operated the Pembroke Ben Franklin store since 1965.
Atkins, 49, believes that the experience of operating a small business, which requires knowledge of bookkeeping, accounting and management practices, qualifies her for the position of county treasurer.
"I think I could do a really good job and I really like the type of work," Atkins said. If elected, she plans to keep the office open half a day on Saturday so working people could conduct business without having to leave their jobs.
Atkins and her husband have two children.
Collins, also a Pembroke resident, is a certified public accountant who has her own business in her home.
Since earning an accounting degree in 1982 degree, the Virginia Tech graduate has been involved in a variety of business and community activities. She has served the Giles County Chamber of Commerce as a director, assistant treasurer, vice president of finance and president.
As a member of the Pearisburg Business and Community Association, she participated in two Festivals Around Town. Collins, 36, also helped organize the Twin-States Sportsman's Fair, a county event.
She has 13 years of accounting experience. "I am a very ethical person and I believe with my education and accounting experience ... that I can perform the job with professionalism," she said.
Collins and her husband, Michael, live in the Hoges Chapel area.
Davis, a Narrows businessman and one-time Pearisburg postmaster, plans to run on a platform of honesty, integrity and good business sense.
Davis came to the county in 1955 when he and his late wife, Pat, opened a women's clothing store in Pearisburg. Since then, Davis, 65, has owned and operated retail stores and service stations in several county locations. He is the owner and operator of Davis Service Station in Narrows.
Davis served two terms as president of the Giles County Chamber of Commerce and two terms as president of the Pearisburg Chamber. He also has been an officer in the Pearisburg Volunteer Fire Department.
"I feel like it's an opportunity for me to serve my county which has done so much for me over the years," Davis said.
Davis is the father of five.
Shrader, 25, worked in the treasurer's office under Cook for nearly three years.
She holds three associate's degrees from New River Community College in information systems, computer operations and accounting. With her county experience, Shrader said, she is the only candidate who could take over the treasurer's office without any training.
Shrader is the office manager for an environmental firm, EST, in Blacksburg,
"I feel like I've taken the treasurer's office to where it is and I'd like to take it a step further," Shrader said.
A member of the Eastern Star, she is also the treasurer of the Giles County Chamber of Commerce. Shrader and her husband, David, live in Pearisburg.
Stafford, 30, is employed by Hoechst-Celanese. The Pearisburg resident received a degree in accounting from Radford University in 1987.
At Giles Memorial Hospital, he was director of materials management where he gained accounting and supervisory experience.
Stafford said he realized the job required 40 plus hours a week and that it would be his top priority. He also said that he would not attempt to operate another business simultaneously if elected.
"I think we need someone with the education and experience to do the job correctly," Stafford said.
He and his wife, Cynthia, have a daughter.
Williams, a Pembroke resident, has owned and operated Giles Carpet Sales in Pearisburg for more than 25 years, where he has assisted in keeping the books.
In traveling the county to get signatures for his petitions, Williams, 49, said he has learned that most citizens are concerned about the loss of DMV services in the treasurer's office. If elected, he plans to keep the office in operation.
"With me, the people of Giles County can be proud of the treasurer's office," he said.
Williams said one of his strengths lies in knowing the people and what they want and expect from the county's officers.
He and his wife, Dreama, have two children.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB