ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 30, 1996 TAG: 9604300057
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
PULASKI
Pulaski mayor
Andy Graham (unopposed)
Previous service: Mayor since 1994; served on council for 24 years before that including eight years as vice mayor.
Comments: "I have lived in the town since 1948 and have never found any place I would rather live and raise a family. My primary goal is to keep Pulaski a great place to live for our citizens and generations to come."
Profession: Retired from Appalachian Power Co., now American Electric Power.
Age: 75
Issues: "This is an exciting time for Pulaski. We have an opportunity to continue to improve the quality of life and become a cultural and recreational center for Southwest Virginia." The town must continue to maintain a positive economic development climate, upgrade its water and sewer systems, complete the New River Trail into town, expand its museum, and be fiscally conservative and good stewards of the town's money.
Address: 708 Wren Drive
Last book read: "Primary Colors."
PULASKI TOWN COUNCIL
(six candidates for four seats)
Roy D'Ardenne
Previous service: Completing first term on council. Worked with New River Valley Planning District Commission, Development Corp. and Economic Development Alliance, among others.
Profession: President, D'Ardenne Associates, which helps train employees of companies in achieving international production standards.
Comments: "What an impact positive thinking makes."
Age: 54
Issues: "The fact that my voting record solidly supports economic development." He was among those who first proposed establishing a town Economic Development Board. As chairman of the human resources committee, he has been involved in choosing most of the town's existing administrative staff. When he ran four years ago, he said, council was characterized by bickering. He feels he has helped turn that around to where council now works as a team.
Address: 27 6th St. NW
Last books read: "1001 Ways to Reward Employees" and "The Discipline of Market Leaders."
Alma Holston
Previous service: 12 years on council, currently an incumbent.
Profession: Currently assistant to state Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo for Pulaski County.
Comments: "I have aggressively sought citizen opinion and input on issues and vote accordingly. I have called hundreds of people and asked their opinion," she said, telephoning literally hundreds of citizens in making her own surveys of issues. "It helps me to make the right decision."
Age: 62
Issues: She would not vote for the proposed 14 percent increase in water rates. She feels that Pulaski's best days are ahead, not behind. "This election to me is about effectiveness," she said. "I have a positive vision, a proven track record, knowledge and integrity to lead us into the next century."
Address: 1218 Newbern Road
Last book read: "Tears of Gold."
John Johnston
Previous service: 14 years on council, currently an incumbent. Secretary of the Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority, which treats Pulaski's wastewater.
Profession: Johnson retired from the Pulaski County school system in 1991, when he was its finance director. Previously he had been principal of Central Elementary School for 10 years and Critzer Elementary School, when it replaced Central, for 17 years.
Comments: "Your experienced councilman with Pulaski's best interests at heart."
Issues: Johnston is chairman of council's utilities committee, and wants to continue working with town officials to upgrade sewer and water service in the years ahead. "Our water system has an excellent source of good clean water but I feel we can deliver it to our citizens more efficiently, by upgrading our lines and stopping leaks in the system."
Address: 890 Hermosa Drive
Polly Mitchell
Previous service: Four years previously on council; volunteer work with Clean Community Council, Humane Society, others.
Profession: Retired payroll department employee with Appalachian Power Co.
Comments: "I'll keep things busy, let's put it that way."
Age: 71
Issues: "There's a lot of things that we could do in the town that would dress it up." Mitchell says she will bring issues before council that other members might back away from. She is an advocate of hiring local people to fill town administrative positions, rather than looking outside.
Address: 600 Prospect Ave.
Last movie seen: "Executive Decision."
Jim Neblett
Previous service: 16 years on council, between 1974 and 1992.
Profession: Retired from Pulaski County school system. Since then, he and his wife have helped teach adult education classes several times a week. "I feel working with the public as an educator has helped me have a better understanding of the needs of our citizens."
Comments: "I consider myself a good listener. I enjoy making decisions that make Pulaski a better town."
Age: 65
Issues: Cooperation with Pulaski County in attracting new industries to the area, working with existing businesses and industries to meet their needs, and extending the New River Trail State Park into town.
Address: 28 Oakland Drive
Last book read: Likes books by John Grisham, most recently "The Chamber."
Charles W. Stewart Jr.
Previous service: Only political newcomer in the race.
Profession: Retired from Sperry Marine Inc. as electronics engineer, and from Great Southwest Inc. as a consultant.
Comments: "A new face to help Pulaski move forward."
Age: 66
Issues: Most of the complaints Stewart has heard, in talking with citizens, have involved rising water and sewer rates. "And a surprising number of them are happy with the way things are going," he said. He feels he can use his business and engineering background in local government.
Address: 2148 Sunset Drive
Last movie seen: "Forrest Gump."
LENGTH: Long : 131 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: 7 photos KEYWORDS: POLITICS CITY COUNCIL MAYORby CNB