ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 3, 1996 TAG: 9601030066
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
Bringing a partisan political feud that has simmered quietly for weeks out into the open, Democrats and Republicans on Roanoke City Council deadlocked Tuesday in their first opportunity to replace former Vice Mayor John Edwards.
After emerging from a closed meeting, council's three Republicans voted to replace Edwards with Robert Garland, a 24-year council veteran who retired from his post in 1990.
But the body's three Democrats voted as a bloc against Garland - a longtime Republican - denying him the post. And nobody else was nominated.
The divided vote leaves council no closer to an appointment than it was seven weeks ago, when Edwards won election to the state Senate. Under the city's charter, it takes four votes for council to make the pick.
And the deadlock increases chances that the appointment may be settled by local Circuit Court judges. Under state law, the question goes to them if council doesn't act within 30 days of Edwards' resignation.
Because Edwards' resignation was effective Dec. 31, council has until Jan. 30 to replace him.
"I just felt like since that seat was vacated by someone who was elected by the voters as a Democrat, personally, I feel we should fill that seat with a Democrat," Councilman William White, a Democrat, said after the vote.
But Democrats "didn't have anybody they were willing to nominate," said GOP Councilman Jack Parrott.
Garland was nominated by Councilwoman Elizabeth Bowles. She approached Garland shortly after the election and asked if he'd mind being nominated.
"I told them if I was selected, I would serve in a caretaker capacity," Garland said Tuesday evening. "I would be pleased and honored to serve ... [but] I understand the political realities, the political maneuvering and so forth. I certainly would not be hurt if they didn't select me."
The nomination and vote came only days after Democrats' leading choice for the post - the Rev. Nelson Harris, city School Board chairman - took himself out of the running.
Harris has left open the possibility that he may run for the two years remaining in Edwards' term during a special election in May. The winner of that election will take office July 1.
Republican and Democratic council members have been divided on whether Edwards' successor should have the option of running for election.
Democrats say yes, but Republicans staunchly favor a "caretaker" who would agree not to run.
Mayor David Bowers, a Democrat, said after the meeting that he voted against Garland simply because council could not reach a consensus on the nomination.
"I think at this point, council is going to have to discuss the matter, and I think very soon council is going to come to consensus," Bowers said.
But Councilman Mac McCadden, a Republican, said the Democrats had rejected a very qualified candidate.
"I don't think you could question his credentials. To me, it's kind of difficult to vote against a man who has that length of service," McCadden said.
He also questioned Harris' withdrawal.
"To withdraw your name from consideration for a position you've never been nominated for is a political ploy," McCadden said. "I'm hoping the voters of Roanoke won't fall for it."
LENGTH: Medium: 65 linesby CNB