Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 18, 1995 TAG: 9510180095
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Long
In many ways, there are more similarities than differences between the candidates in their definition of county issues and priorities for the immediate future. Voters will have to decide Nov. 7 which one they think can handle those matters best.
Cook and Crawford agree that education and economic development will be the big issues in the next four years, and that adequate funding of county schools depends on expanding business and industry.
"Economic development is my No. 1 priority," said Crawford, a Republican seeking his second term.
Even though more than 2,500 jobs were lost in recent years by plant closings such as AT&T at Fairlawn and cutbacks at Radford Arsenal, he said, there have been enough new jobs created to reduce the county's unemployment rate from 11 percent in 1992 to about 5 percent today.
Cook, a Democrat, agreed that the reduction is good but said the 5 percent to 6 percent unemployment rate still means that more than 1,000 county residents are without jobs.
"I think the single most important issue that we've got facing us ... is industrial development and economic development," he said. "I don't think we should be satisfied with anything less than zero unemployment."
An upcoming education issue will be the need for modern schools to replace aging buildings. Crawford said expansion of the county's economic base is the way to fund these needs.
He said the county's most difficult task will be preparing the school system for the next century without undue financial hardships on county residents.
Cook has said the board already should have acted on school building needs. He favors improving existing schools and keeping them in their local communities, rather than building new ones, because schools are used for community activities as well as education.
The problem of what to do about aging school buildings will be a critical issue in the next year or so, he said. "I don't think anyone's got an answer."
Both candidates are on record as opposing tax increases. Crawford said he has opposed them throughout his 12 years of governmental service, including eight years on Pulaski Town Council and nearly four as a supervisor.
Cook stopped short of saying he would never vote for a tax increase because, he said, no one can foresee all needs. But he would make sure such a step was essential and that all other budget possibilities were considered first.
Another area of agreement between the candidates is that poor roads are a problem in the Draper District.
Crawford said this is the case even though Draper has gotten more money than any of the other districts in the past four years. He pointed out that the state, not the county, builds and maintains roads.
Nevertheless, Cook said, the roads "to say the least, are a disgrace," and more money is needed for them. He said more people must attend road hearings to make state road officials more aware of the needs.
Crawford cites his experience in local government as well as service on regional agencies such as the New River Resources Authority, New River Valley Planning District Commission, county Planning Commission and Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority.
Cook refers to a diverse business background, including 28 years with Burlington Industries in a number of management positions and his ownership now of three small businesses, all of which add up to a knowledge of what businesses need, he said.
Both men are the same age, 58, and have other similarities.
"We both are married to two good-looking, blond women. We both have two children, a boy and a girl," Cook said.
Name: Ira "Pete" Crawford
Age: 58
Party: Republican
Family: Wife, Betty Lou, coordinator of patient education at Pulaski Community Hospital; daughter, Paige; son, Shannon.
Education: Graduate in accounting from Virginia Tech; advanced graduate work in auditing, College of William and Mary.
Job: Vice president for administration at Pulaski Furniture Corp. since 1977; former chief financial officer for Coleman Furniture, l966-l977; a certified public accountant for five years before that.
Hobbies: "I love the lake. I do some boating, play a little golf," he said. As for spectator sports, "I love high school and college football."
Last movie seen: "Waterworld." Crawford's review: "I didn't like it."
Why he's running: "I hate taxes, for the people as well as for myself." He believes that efficient government and economic development can fund education and other services without raising taxes, and believes that point is within reach. "I can see a light out there," he said.
Experience: Besides completing his first term on the county Board of Supervisors, Crawford served on Pulaski Town Council from 1982-90 and was its finance chairman for seven of those years.
Name: Charles Cook
Age: 58
Party: Democrat
Family: Wife, Shirley, retired last year as school system's curriculum and instruction director; son, Charles Cook III; daughter, Michelle King.
Education: Graduate in business administration, Concord College.
Job: Self-employed, owns Dublin Flower Shop, Valley Florist and Dublin Storage & Rental Co.; previously worked 28 years in management with Burlington Industries.
Hobbies: Enjoys the outdoors and water sports. ``I used to do a lot of hunting and fishing,'' he said. ``The mountains seem to have gotten a little taller.''
Last movie seen: ``Forrest Gump.'' Cook's review: ``I bought the tape, I liked it so well.''
Why he's running: ``I guess I'd refer to myself as a people person,'' he said. ``People in this area have been good to me. The least I can do is return about four years, and then we'll see where it goes from there. ... I just felt like I needed to pay back some of the things people have done for me.''
Experience: Twenty-eight years with a large corporation and 10 years as a small-business owner. ``Believe me, there is a contrast,'' he said, and the background will help him deal with economic development issues.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB