Mayoral candidates meet on Roanoke forum

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – There are three names on the ballot this year for Roanoke Mayor.

Tuesday evening, Republican David Bowers, Democrat Joe Cobb and independent Stephanie Moon Reynolds gathered for a candidates’ forum at the Roanoke City Market Building.

All three have extensive experience in municipal government: Bowers as a former mayor and city council member, Cobb as vice mayor and council member, and Moon Reynolds as a longtime city clerk before she was her -even elected to the council.

“I want to prove to you once again that I have the energy, enthusiasm and experience to bring change to Roanoke,” Bowers said during his opening remarks.

“Our citizens don’t care how much you know, but they want to know how much you care. I have always passed this test,” Moon Reynolds added.

“I work hard every day. I’m showing up in the city because I love the city, because I want to celebrate the people who are here,” Cobb told the audience.

All three are also members of the Roanoke Kiwanis Club, which organized the candidate forum in association with the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.

But Tuesday night, they differed on important issues, including the city’s response to violent crime.

“I thought, and I shared this with the city council, that we should not only prevent gun violence, but apprehend it,” Bowers said.

“While we celebrate decreasing incidents of gun violence, reducing all forms of violent crime remains a top priority,” said Moon Reynolds.

“Of the three people here, I’m the one who has worked, with the community, to address gun violence in our community for the last five years,” Cobb said.

They also addressed controversial zoning changes that will allow more multi-family units in neighborhoods across the city.

“I support and have twice supported these zoning changes,” Cobb said. “I think they are the best thing for our city to create more and multiple housing opportunities.”

“If elected, I will vote to repeal the rezoning,” Bowers said. “When I go around town, this is the number one issue for people in Roanoke.”

“I want to make it clear that I was the only one, the only one who voted no twice on the city council, and that was because of the process,” Moon Reynolds said.

Some points of agreement were identified. All three supported expanding the runway at Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport, for example.

But they stake out different territory with Bowers presenting himself as an agent of change, Moon Reynolds promising a thorough review of the city’s finances and Cobb pledging to continue the important work he says makes a positive difference in the lives of many Roanokers.