ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 13, 1996 TAG: 9602130126
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
Town Councilman Jim Laury, citing health problems, announced Monday that he won't seek re-election to a second term.
Laury, 68, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1992, shortly after he was elected to his first term. He also has emphysema.
The cancer is in remission, but Laury said he's still battling the emphysema.
``I've got the time, but I don't have the energy,'' he said before Monday's council meeting. ``And I think a Town Council member needs to be able to get out and talk with people and see what the problems are. I'm limited to what I can do.''
Laury, who retired in 1991 as manager of Leggett in Rocky Mount, did endorse two council incumbents who announced Monday that they will seek re-election - Vice Mayor Posey Dillon and Councilman Arnold Dillon.
The Dillons, who are not related, are two of the more vocal members of the six-member council.
And frequently they don't see eye-to-eye.
But that's all right, they say.
``That's why this council works so good together,'' Arnold Dillon said. ``We can all express our opinion and get on with the business ahead. We work as a team.''
Said Posey Dillon: ``It may sometimes seem like the Dillons never get along, but I'm willing to listen to Arnold, and he's willing to listen to me.''
Joked Arnold Dillon about the joint re-election announcement: ``See, we can agree on something.''
Arnold Dillon, 48, is seeking his third term. He owns Franklin Vendors Inc. - a coffee, soft drink and snack distributor - on State Street.
Posey Dillon, 45, is Rocky Mount's fire chief and is employed with American Electric Power. He's the senior council member - first elected in 1980. Dillon is seeking his fifth term.
Cost-efficient and courteous government is what the Dillons say they strive to achieve.
They point to a number of projects the town has completed - including an $8million water sewage plant and the widening of North Main Street to four lanes - with an $11 million reserve intact.
Three council seats are up for election May 7. The three other council seats and the mayor's post are up for election in 1998.
The application deadline for council candidates is March 5. For information, call the town manager's office at 483-7660.
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICSby CNB