Now an electronics retail company manager, Bestpitch wants to see the city use outside consultants less, relying instead on the expertise and talent of local people when making decisions on major projects. “I just can’t believe that we don’t have anybody in Roanoke that can do that sort of thing,” notes Bestpitch, a past president of the Old Southwest neighborhood association.
“The city seems to have moved further and further away from people that have made serious investments [here]. In my opinion too many of those people … have been minimized or ignored altogether.”
Along those lines, he believes the City Market building project is long overdue and wants the city to get on with it. “We were talking about that ten years ago. I’m really concerned that a number of things have taken as long as they have.” Bestpitch said the city must “find the right balance,” between taking on too much debt and spending on projects for the future.
A 40% rise in general fund expenditures since 2000 is a major concern to Bestpitch. “[Not many] feel like they’ve seen a 40 percent improvement in the services they received from the city over those ten years.” Roanoke City should have been putting more money into reserve accounts “when things were better.”
Bestpitch is glad to see that local Democrats have opted for a primary on March 2, with voters going to their regular polling places, as opposed to a mass meeting. “That’s a big change for Roanoke – it hasn’t happened in a long time. It gets the most people involved.”
“Candidates will have to appeal to a broader range of voters while they campaign” said Bestpitch. City Republicans will nominate their candidates for City Council at a mass meeting on February 17.
The former Army veteran (8 years in the service) said he likes to do his homework and background research when making major decisions, a skill set he would bring back to City Council, if chosen as one of the Democratic candidates and then elected in November. “I learned a lot – I tried to come to every single City Council meeting prepared.”
Current City Councilman David Trinkle – who ran as an independent four years ago – is also seeking a Democratic slot, as is freelance journalist Valerie Garner and attorney Ray Ferris. Gwen Mason, who came into office with Trinkle as part of the “For the City” ticket, is not seeking re-election. “We’ve gotten bogged down on too many issues,” said Bestpitch, who feels good about his chances. “I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”
By Gene Marrano [email protected]