Roanoke City Council

Members serve two-year terms and are unpaid. However, if a new city charter is approved May 10, the members elected that day would serve three-year terms and would be paid $75 per meeting, not to exceed $150 per month.

Ward 1

Name: Brian Darby (incumbent)

Age: 38

Occupation: Civil engineer

Online:darbyshome@sbcglobal.net

Background: Darby earned a bachelor's of science in civil engineering from Kansas State University. He has been the Ward 1 City Council member for seven years.

About the candidate: He said his first priority for his ward will be to address traffic concerns on Business 114 by deterring and eventually eliminating the heavy truck traffic and "shortcut" through the middle of town. He said his first priority is to complete a strategic master plan, which creates a guideline for the next generation of improvements and development.

Name: Kirby Smith

Age: 39

Occupation: Real estate broker, Kirby Smith & Associates Realty

Online: none

Background: Smith has a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of North Texas. He served on the City Council from 2005 to 2007 and the Planning and Zoning Commission from 2007 to 2008.

About the candidate: He said his priorities are to improve the scarred relationships on City Council. The city needs to effectively incorporate Marshall Creek, he said. The downtown revitalization project known as Oak Street Corridor needs to be spurred on and managed effectively, he said. He said he will work for better amenities for senior citizens and to expand the library. He said he wants to see more parks and recreational opportunities for children.

Ward 2

Incumbent Holly Gray-McPherson is unopposed. Her term will expire in 2010 or 2011, depending on the outcome of the charter election.

Ward 2

This is a special election to fill the remaining year of a two-year term. The winner will serve until May 2009.

Name: Lewis Rice (incumbent)

Age: 54

Occupation: Plant manager for Crystal Images Inc.

Online: none

Background: Rice has an associate's degree in photography from the Elkins Institute in Dallas. He is vice chairman of the Roanoke 4A Economic Development Corp., a residents' group that oversees funds for parks, roads and economic development. He served nine years on the Planning and Zoning Commission, including four years as chairman, and one year on the board of adjustments. He has been the Ward 2 councilman since July 2007.

About the candidate: He said his goals are to continue economic development of the downtown area and support future events. He said he also wants to improve city streets, drainage and outdoor lighting, as well as implement the expansion of the library and parks system.

Name: Melvin Smith

Age: 69

Occupation: Retired from General Motors in Arlington, owned a John Deere dealership

Online: none

Background: Smith served on the City Council in the 1970s. He is chairman of the Economic Development Corp. and is a past chairman of the Parks and Recreation Board. He volunteers for Meals on Wheels and is involved in historical society work.

About the candidate: Smith said he will focus on library expansion and community center expansion. He also plans to work on financial help to senior citizens because of rising cost of energy and medical expenses. He said his ward needs street and drainage improvements. Ward 2 also needs a louder voice, he said.

Ward 3

Name: Steve Heath (incumbent)

Age: 50

About the candidate: Heath did not return messages seeking an interview.

Name: Frank Temple

Age: 61

Occupation: Retired IBM project manager

Background: Temple has a master's of business administration from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He represented Ward 3 on the council from 2003 to 2007 and has been on the Parks and Recreation Board since 2002.

About the candidate: Temple said he will work to improve air quality and other environmental concerns, to ensure constituent representation, and enhance recreational and cultural opportunities for senior citizens and people with disabilities. He said he also plans to review tax abatement policy and ensure equitable growth opportunities.

Home-rule charter proposition

After cities pass 5,000 in population they can be governed by "home rule" if voters approve a new city charter. The home-rule designation allows cities to annex land and raise property taxes up to $2.50 per $100 of assessed property value. A copy of the charter was mailed to all registered voters in the city. The charter would also change the length of council members' terms from two years to three years; increase council members' pay to $75 per meeting, not to exceed $150 per month; increase the mayor's pay to $125 per meeting, not to exceed $250 per month; restrict the sale of alcohol in residential areas; and set up a weak-mayor system, in which the city manager handles the city's day-to-day business.

Proposition language: Adoption of the charter.