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TheRoanokeStar.com community | news | perspective

September 28, 2012

[Angels of Assisi Benefit]

A Very Tough Breed So Very Close

P7– William Fleming holds a lead through four quarters but can’t quite hold on to get the first ever win at their new stadium.

Photo by Beverly Amsler

P8– Roanoke Attorney Malissa Giles compares the cultures of yesteryear and today and notes that our concept of Bankruptcy has come a very long way.

David Bowers is looking at his last term as the mayor of Roanoke. It was a tight race this year between the incumbent and his Republican challenger Mark Lucas, only separated by 348 votes. Bowers had a wealthy conservative to thank for a $75,000 donation that floated both his primary and general election. It could have been a different story had it not been for that support. At the time a baffled public wondered why a conservative, who has normally only donated to conservative campaigns, would give so much money to Bowers. The answer then

> CONTINUED P2: Fired

was that he liked Bowers and knew he and Eastern Virginia. “My first reacwas not using his position as mayor as tion was who, what, where, when and a stepping stone to higher office. why?” He said he was surprised, conSaturday as Tim Kaine rallied sup- fused and flattered by the suggestion. porters for his Senate race, The RoaHe said his friends wanted to see a noke Star quizzed Bowers on what was statewide ticket that included repreon his mind and asked him if he was sentation from the western part of the really considering running state. Bowers is one of the longest serving Democrats for Lieutenant Governor in Politics 2013 per recent reports. (though not contiguous) in western Virginia along The Mayor said that friends he’d known for a long time, with Commonwealth Attorney Don who have some connections in the Caldwell and Jack Kennedy, the CirDemocratic party, had contacted cuit Court Clerk in Norton. When asked the time frame for him. Bowers wouldn’t name them but said they were located in Richmond making a decision Bowers said, “This

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whole episode kind of reminds me of what my secretary used to say – run it up the flagpole and see who salutes it.” Since Aneesh Chopra had already announced for Lieutenant Governor I asked if he was prepared for a primary. Bowers thought that the Democratic Party of Virginia was planning a caucus. The DPVA voted and selected a primary and not a convention. In contrast the Republican Party of Virginia reversed its decision to hold a primary and instead is now planning a convention for their statewide candidates. > CONTINUED P2: Mayor

Ann Davey Masters Memorial Garden Dedicated

P9– Apart from off Broadway touring shows that pass through the valley, local High Schoolers provide some of the best dramatic performances around.

Photo by Valerie Garner

Craig Romney addresses supporters, speaking highly of his father’s character.

Craig Romney Stumps For His Father In Roanoke P4– Robert Adcox says that even at age 51 the ability to just let go and be spontaneously silly is a very, very good thing.

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Lame Duck Mayor May Have Political Ambitions

Fresh Drama

Good Vibes

In the end perhaps what bothered Nell Boyle the most was that her slot on Roanoke County’s RC CLEAR citizen’s committee – the environmental group affiliated with ICLEI – was terminated without advance notice. Windsor Hills supervisor Ed Elswick chose not to reappoint Boyle, who was also the chairperson, to the controversial commitCity Govt. tee, which has been accused by local Tea Party members and others of having nefarious ties to the United Nations and “Agenda 21,” which describes ways that people can live differently in order to minimize environmental impact. Boyle and other RC CLEAR members have long maintained that the group is just an educational tool, showing Roanoke County residents how they can easily reduce their carbon footprints – that it wasn’t involved with forcing people to live in cluster housing for example, as some maintained the tie to ICLEI, an international organiza-

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Larry Groah and Harley the Biker Dog were stars of the show at the recent “Biscuit Bash” held in support of Angels of Assisi. Harley a Yorkie, was outfitted in what he usually wears while out on the open road looking for adventure in whatever comes his way . . . A scarf, hat, leather jacket and “doggles.” > SEE FULL STORY ON PAGE 3

A Positive Word

RC CLEAR Committee Chair “Fired” By Supervisor

Craig Romney was 30 minutes late to Roanoke’s Romney headquarters Thursday afternoon. While supporters patiently waited for his arrival, financial planner Maynard Keller was scurrying around promoting a photo opportunity in hopes of getting the young Romney in his (Keller’s) 1969 AMC Javelin. Craig’s grandfather, George Romney, was chairman and president of American Motors Corporation from 1954 to 1962. Keller had a photo of a very young Mitt Romney sitting in an AMC car; his idea came with a slogan – “Ramblers For Romney.” Craig, 31, is the son of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. He is the youngest of the five Romney sons and works for a real estate developer in California. “This campaign is a family affair,” he told 70 supporters when he arrived. He talked about his son Parker having been in 35 different states by > CONTINUED P2: Craig Romney

Meridian Wealth Management 540-855-3348 | www.ubs.com/team/meridianwealth

10 South Jefferson Street, Suite 1050, Roanoke, VA 24011

The Ann Davey Masters Memorial Sculpture Garden was dedicated in Vic Thomas Park last Thursday morning. Over 100 people gathered as Mayor Bowers, the artists, Clean Valley Council, the Roanoke Arts Commission and Eric Thomas cut the ribbon. Vic Thomas’ son, Eric, said the contributions Masters made to a cleaner, better environment is what Photo by Valerie Garner his dad was in support of “Calling the Powers” by Lawrence Reid too. “He loved hunting and fishing and loved the mental stewardship. arts – he’s very happy today.” Vic Thomas Park, with its natuAnn Davey Masters was the execu- ral design and native plantings, is the tive director of Clean Valley Council newest addition to the City of Roa(CVC) from 1996 to 2009. noke’s nationally accredDuring her tenure, she ited parks and recreation Culture spearheaded environmental system. The park’s location initiatives that improved the next to the Roanoke River quality of life in the Roanoke Valley. As and view of the mountains made it a a former curator of the Art Museum of fitting place for the Sculpture Garden. Western Virginia, she used her passion The park is part for the arts and nature to educate citi- of the Roanoke > CONTINUED P2: Memorial zens about the importance of environ- Valley Green-

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Confidence Trust Experience UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. ©2012 UBS Financial Services Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC. 1.02_Ad_5.37x10_AH0228_Meridian

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