Gene Marrano
Salem candidates/G Marrano photo/WFIR
WFIR has focused plenty of attention on the upcoming Roanoke City Council race, with in-studio live interviews scheduled with all 7 candidates, for the 3 available seats. But there’s another local City Council election – this one in Salem, and WFIR’s Gene Marrano has a look at each of the six candidates competing for 2 seats there on May 1st – here is a “Longer Listen”:
Pam Rickard – FB photo
There are lots of reasons that many people will run “America’s Toughest Road Marathon” in Roanoke tomorrow morning – like the challenge of finishing. A Franklin County resident who will run her 53rd full marathon has other motivations, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
Roanoke County Economic development director Jill Loope says it wasn’t a shock that the Applebee’s Restaurant at Tanglewood Mall is now closed – indicating the chain has been shutting under-performing sites around the country. Loope also says the county is in contact with the mall’s owner, Alabama-based Blackwater Resources. Loope says the U.S. is in the midst of a “retail apocalypse,” with changing consumer tastes for shopping and eateries leading to a commercial state of transition.
Tree-sitting Mountain Valley Pipeline protestor “Red” Terry says she is grateful for the support Democratic legislators expressed yesterday at a news conference – but she wants the focus to be on the pipeline’s impact. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
A church bus hits a tractor-trailer full of ammonia; multiple injuries and breathing problems ensue. That was this year’s mock scenario at an “Interprofessional Education Simulation” last week. WFIR’s Gene Marrano follows up on a story we first told you about last week:
Robert Jeffrey jr
On WFIR live in-studio this morning Roanoke City Council Candidate Robert Jeffrey Jr. refuted charges by former associates of that are taking him to court next Friday about compensation for past services, for his Colors Virginia magazine. Now Jeffrey has issued a statement, saying he will “prevail against these false claims through the justice system.” He again called the charges “politically motivated.” (see the full statement from Jeffrey below)
Response to False and Politically Motivated Attack Days before the Election
ROANOKE, Va. (April 18, 2018) – As a small business owner who has created jobs in the city, I am disappointed at the false accusations and politically calculated effort to discredit me days before the election by former contractors (in many cases from years ago). The false claims regarding payment to former contractors is a sad, politically orchestrated attempt to sully my reputation and distract from a campaign focused on Moving Roanoke Forward. Unfortunately, we’re seeing the same dirty political tactics used in presidential elections here in our city council race.
I will directly address and prevail against these false claims through the justice system. Mr. [River] Laker (the organizer of this sad effort) and I ended our working relationship through a contractual agreement that included a final payment. Mr. Laker signed the agreement on March 2, 2018 and cashed the check on March 16, 2018. Please see attached signed contract by Mr. Laker and the check he cashed below. Unfortunately, Mr. Laker’s well-publicized history and “penchant for stirring local controversy” has returned.
This sad, false, and politically motivated attack only encourages me to move forward and continue the work to Move Roanoke Forward. Over the next 2 weeks, I will continue to vigorously campaign across Roanoke and ask for your vote to build safe and healthy communities and expand economic opportunities.
Robert Jeffrey jr
Appearing live in-studio this morning, Democratic Roanoke City Council candidate Robert Jeffrey Jr. talked about the need for fresh ideas on Council – but he also responded to an e-mail sent to WFIR from people formerly associated with his “Colors Virginia” magazine – three of whom are taking his company to court next Friday on charges that include non-payment for services. One of those taking Jeffrey to General District Court next week – River Laker – says the issues have NOT been settled. Six people formerly associated with Jeffrey’s magazine said they find him “unsuitable” for City Council.
Hear much more from Robert Jeffrey Jr. on this issue and his campaign below:
Franklin County resident Pam Rickard will run the Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke on Saturday morning – 6 days after she finished Monday’s rainy and cold Boston Marathon … and in a losing cause Salem Red Sox third baseman Bobby Dalbec hit his team-leading 3rd home run last night: