Choice not an echo

Former Roanoke mayor and practicing lawyer David Bowers is declaring he will run again for mayor, according to this report ("Former Mayor David Bowers says he'll launch re-election bid," 12/4) from the Roanoke paper, and he says the first thing he would do is fire the City Manager, Darlene Beacham, who has become a lighting rod for critics of government projects including the decision to ditch the old Victory Stadium and build a new multi-use facility. Bowers lost the last time to a Republican who came in first past the post when the Democrat vote was split in a three-way race. The article says the current mayor has indicated he will not seek re-election.