Policy Paper #4: Would somebody please answer that phone!

Greetings once again, my fellow Roanokers.

I realize it has been a while since you have heard from me. Rest assured your friendly neighborhood Overlord has been keeping a watchful eye on things. I have seen many things since last we spoke, and have dismayed at several of them. The slate of canidates for City Council looks less and less appealing every day. I invite you to go examine their stands on issues.

Trinkle, Mason, and Dowe
Revercomb & McConnel

Only Revercomb and McConnel touch upon the fact that the City Council is a dismal failure at providing for the city itself. Trinkle, Mason, and Dowe only make passing mention of politics and the City Council in the platform.

I would show you the other canidates, but they do not have websites which are a key to making the citizenry informed as to your stance. It is a shame as to date, I really have no idea what they are exactly about.

At the most recent "debate" the canidates were asked about Darlene Burcham, the City Manager. Most, with the exception of Revercomb and McConnel, agreed that she should be given a "grace period" to see if she would be able to meet the needs of the new council.

Thats all nice, but honestly - her job description reads as what one would expect from a vice-mayor. Or, heaven forfend, even a Mayor. What this system appears to provide is a sub-level mayor. Rather than bother the actual mayor with departmental reports and other such nonsense, Darlene takes the brunt of it. Which leaves me with 2 questions:

1. If the City Manager is the single party all city departments answer to, the office that handles community relations and all the rest, why is this person not elected? Im sure others who could be just as capable in the position might have alternate ways of doing the job. Should not the citizenry have a choice in who actually runs the city day to day?
2. If the City Manager does all that, why do we have a Mayor?

I realize these are not the best questions to ask, but they need to be addressed. If we hold elections for Mayor, Sheriff, and City Council; and all those people are "hired" because the majority of the voting population felt they would be the best to do the job, then should not the day to day operations of the city, something so critical, be up for a vote as well?

Also, shouldn't the City Manager be limited as to the affiliations they can hold without being considered in conflict with the daily duties they are charged with upholding?

The City Manager position appears to be a hazardous one when looking at Mrs. Burcham's curriculum vitae. She sits on the board of no less than 7 organizations which could directly affect her job as City Manager. I am sure keeping a balance is not an easy task.

Again, my stance on this is to eliminate the City Manager position alltogether. It is an extra level of bureaucracy the city can do without. The Mayor of the city is both a figurehead and leader, as the position would indicate. Being Mayor of the City of Roanoke should be paid position, full time with benefits, so that the people of Roanoke can rest assured that the Mayor is on duty as mayor, and not sometimes as mayor and sometimes as something else.

The City Council, as much as many of you would like to see it eliminated, should stay as is - with one major exception. More seats on the council. More voice for the people.

In short, this is revolution calling, and someone needs to answer the phone. As Overlord, I would be in position to do just that. Straighten the course of this historic and important city.

People forget, time forgets - Roanoke is a highly important city. One trip to Valley View or Tanglewood will tell you that much. Look at the lisence plates on cars in the parking lots. The Personal Property Tax stickers in the windows of the cars. People come here from all over the country for various reasons, but they come. Roanoke is not, as it has been portrayed, a retirement haven for those who are uncomfortable in Florida. Roanoke is still very much alive, and crying out for change. Revolution.

The business of Roanoke, the business that is Roanoke has been mismanaged for many years. All aspects of life have been affected. First and foremost, Roanoke is a valley. We must deal with the mountains. And yet we can barely handle the mountain we have right here within city limits.

My first Overlord order would be the commencement of public transportation (of some form) up Mill Mountain. Even on Sundays. If it has to be a voluntary concept - then perhaps Vice-Mayor Fitzpatrick would be willing to offer the services of Commonwealth Coach and Trolley. On fair weather days, on the half hour - one should be able to catch a bus from Downtown to the top of Mill Mountain.

Part of the reason the zoo has financial troubles is the fact it is so inaccessable to those who rely upon public transportation. Families could easily get to and from the zoo on weekends. People who normally ride the bus could venture up Mill Mountain and walk around for a few hours, escape from the city vertically. Those who come to the city from out of town on weekends would be able to leave the car downtown, not need to worry about using extra gas (and at these prices, we all worry) and still be able to explore Mill Mountain and all it has to offer.

Not one of the canidates, previously elected officials, or sitting elected officials to my knowledge has suggested such a thing. It would be an instant boost to the "liveability" of Roanoke. As would asking Valley Metro to run on Sundays. Even in a limited capacity (ie. 1 bus per hour), it would make a noticeable difference for Roanoke.

And along the same line - an increase in the Personal Property Tax for cars. Yes, I said increase. For a small increase in your sticker-tax, it would enable you to park in any city garage free of charge for 1 year. A separate parking sticker would be available for purchase for those who live in the County, but work in the city, and it would be reasonable as well.

And Roanoke County would no longer have the option of dealing with the city when it felt like it. A strong partnership must be forged for the benefit of all in the area. City and County must work hand in hand in making this a better valley.

And as I feel familiarity does breed contempt, I would do everything within my power to draw back those who left the City due to lack of opportunity. I would work hand in hand with the Chamber of Commerce to expand the business base, and market the City to new businesses. Roanoke can attract the jobs, the companies - the people. It is my opinion that in the past, the efforts made were only cursory (J&J excluded) and fell short on selling the city properly. I will not fail. I will take public suggestions on how to best display the city's assets. And I will make sure there is no executive left on this world who does not know Roanoke.

For a small city, Roanoke has always dreamed big. 6 years into the 21st century - its time to make some of those dreams come true.

Thank you for your time and attention. Vote Overlord.