“Our message was based on performance not promises.”
by S. Rotan Hale
A surprising high voter turn out during Roanoke’s Democratic firehouse primary resulted in a win for Councilman Sherman Lea as the party’s nominee for the upcoming mayoral race in May.
A critical element of the Lea machine, led by his son Sherman, Jr., involved bussing the elderly as one 97-year-old as well as others who just needed a ride to the polls. It was a strategy that ultimately worked in his favor.
Expressing appreciation to all his supporters, Lea said he was “humbled” by the many who were determined to come out and be a part of the process.
“Our message was one that worked through proven leadership and the focus was not on promises but performance and I think the people felt that and voted accordingly.”
Lea has been on City Council since 2004 and said the huge turnout equated to an “inclusiveness and diversity that sent a message as Hispanics, Blacks and Whites came out to vote.”
During a one-on-one following Saturday’s results, he quoted a host of initiatives as domestic violence, working with youth, police/community relations and valley job creation… etc) that he’s been involved in and/or promoted over his years in office.
Looking ahead, he says he is committed to being a mayor who is more community activated and declares, “If elected, I will have hands-on meetings, accompanied by various city officials, every quarter in every section of our city.”
Lea’s says he will stand behind his commitment to “efforts that promote transparency between the city and its citizens.”
Vice Mayor David Trinkle, as the sole opponent, was emotionally distraught as the results rolled in late Saturday evening. He pointed to the bogged down voting system as contributing to his demise regarding the polls.
Despite Saturday’s frigid temperatures over 3,000 voters braved brutal weather conditions and packed the Berglund Center exhibition hall throughout the day for the primary that by all accounts overwhelmed even the events organizers.
Lines of prospective voters snaked around both sides of the hall. Some reportedly were in and out under and hour while others waited (some patiently) for as long as 2 hours to cast their vote.
“If we had to do it again we would print more poll books so people could check-in faster and eliminate the bottle-necks,” said Democratic Chairman Steven Niamke. Due to the long waits and the process that at times seemed somewhat chaotic, some prospective voters reportedly left disillusioned.
Niamke whose held his position since mid December, hastened about the hall in his attempts to handle the unexpected flood of voters yet described the situation as, “unbelievable and far more than he had expected but nonetheless a pleasant surprise.”
Polls opened at 12noon and by 2pm Niamke said they were “preparing 2,000 additional ballots just to be safe.”
In the City Council race, incumbent Councilwoman Anita Price (2,118), Freeda Cathcart (1,199) who ran 2 years ago and newcomer Patricia White-Boyd (1,649) beat out other democratic candidates who sought the 3 council seats up for grabs.
Other candidates running for City Council were: Wilton Kennedy (1,141), Marcus Huffman (902) and Dan Hale who received 550 votes.
The winners will now have to continue their campaign leading to the general election in May and face off with Republicans and Independents who have yet to come forward.
