Collegiate Times

From a proposed food and beverage tax on campus to the fate of Blacksburg Middle School, candidates for the upcoming Blacksburg elections differed in many ways. But all emphasized a need for a revitalization of downtown Blacksburg and increased integration of the student and local communities.

?Blacksburg is not two communities, its one,? said mayoral candidate and current vice-mayor Ron Rordam. ?If students want to vote, they should vote. If students want to get involved, they should get involved.?

The Graduate Student Assembly and the Student Government Associations cosponsored the forum last night in the Graduate Life Center. Students and town residents alike gathered to hear the candidates for town council and mayor share their platforms and answer audience questions.

The candidates were from a diverse range of background and experience. Some had lived in Blacksburg a relatively short time, while others had spent their entire lives here.

?I've passed up many opportunities to move away from here,? said town council candidate Wendell Hensley. ?I didn't want to leave. I've seen Blacksburg grow from a sleepy college town to a more dynamic community.?

Downtown Blacksburg was one of the most popular issues of the night. While most candidates agreed on the need for change, there was disagreement on how much change was necessary.

?Is it growth or is it greed? Is it profit or profiteering?? asked mayoral candidate Don Langrehr.

Candidates reflected on how Blacksburg has evolved over the years. Hensley spoke about growing up in Blacksburg when there were five grocery stores, three drug stores, and two hotels downtown.

?(Downtown has) evolved in different ways, but retained its character,? said Rordam. ?It's retained its heart.?

Audience members concerned about too much growth asked candidates about the new condominiums on Clay Court, Kent Square, and the importance of locally owned businesses. There was much debate on whether the building at Kent Square was necessary.

Town council candidate Mary Holliman suggested putting a Smart Way bus stop at Kent Square in order to ease travel to Roanoke.

?We have it, the investment was made,? Holliman said. ?We have to find ways to make it pay for itself.?

Many of the candidates emphasized how important it is that students participate in local affairs.

?Students make up sixty percent of Blacksburg's population,? said Langrehr. ?If two out of ten students voted, they would control town council.?

Langrher focused on the importance of developing downtown ?the right way?, by using smart growth initiatives to maintain green space an affordable housing. Rordam centered his platform on getting more young residents involved in government.

The candidates running for town council are Susan Anderson, Hensley, Frank Lau, Tom Sherman and Mary Holliman.