ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 25, 1996 TAG: 9601250054
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
Former Salem Police Chief Harry Haskins said Wednesday that he will run for Salem City Council.
City Councilmen Alex Brown and Howard Packett also announced that they will seek re-election. All three will run as independents.
The announcements came nearly two weeks after Mayor Jim Taliaferro said he would step down after serving on City Council for 24 years - 221/2 as mayor.
Haskins, 59, who retired as Salem's police chief in November after 20 years in that position, said he was approached by several people after Taliaferro's announcement who urged him to run.
"As early as three years ago, people were saying, 'If we have a vacancy on council, would you consider running?''' Haskins said.
He said his leadership style would blend well with Salem's nonpartisan council, known for its unanimous agreement on most issues.
"I think I'm known for my ability to bring people together," Haskins said. "I'm an advocate for compromise."
Haskins now works part time as safety coordinator for Salem employees. Conflict-of-interest laws in Virginia prohibit full-time city employees from serving on City Council. Haskins said that if a conflict of interest question were raised, he would resign from the safety coordinator position.
Brown, 43, will seek a fifth term on City Council; Packett, 63, will seek a fourth term.
"I'm going to let my record speak for myself," Brown said of the 16 years he has served. He said education - particularly keeping up with technology - should continue to be a focal point for council in upcoming years
Packett said he also will stand on the city's accomplishments over the past decade.
"We have one of the best school systems in the country. We have excellent recreational and cultural facilities. We have a business and industrial climate that is the envy of every locality of Virginia," said Packett, former chairman of the Fifth Planning District Commission.
Names of at least nine other people have been circulating in Salem as possible candidates for May's City Council election, Haskins said.
Salem Republican Party Chairman Bill Bradley has said that three people have shown interest in running with the party's endorsement.
Salem Democratic Party Chairwoman Katherin Elam said her party also has discussed the possibility of endorsing a candidate.
All five current council members ran as independents.
Salem City Council picks a mayor every two years from among its members.
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Haskins, Brown, Packett. KEYWORDS: POLITICSby CNB