The Tribune

Roanokers
Fill Council
Vacancies

(EDITORIAL)

The avalanche of votes which the four top runners of the thirteen candidates received in the councilmanic election Tuesday was so obvious that the people knew who they wanted that it left not the slightest room for doubt. The top winner polled a vote of 6,256. The lowest vote of the four winners was 5,411. Trailing the list of candidates were the two Negroes, Dr. L. E. Paxton and this, your writer.

Mr. Dillard is an astute attorney, a veteran politician; and having served on the City Council richly qualifies him for the task which lies before him. The people have given him the opportunity and are expecting him to help steer the Council through these financial crises to a successful and satisfactory conclusion. We wish for him unlimited success.

Having formed an acquaintance with Mrs. Pickett when she was first a candidate for City Council, and having served on the city's Youth Commission for the past two years, of which Mrs. Pickett is chairman. I have found her to be exceptionally well informed on matters related to the responsibilities of the Council. She is deeply interested in the work which she has been elected to do and is a tireless performer of her duties. Running this time on her own record as a council-lady. the 6,107 votes which she received was nothing less than a vote of confidence from the citizens of the city. We thank Mrs. Pickett for the service which she is rendering, and, we thank the people who went to the polls Tuesday and cast a huge vote of confidence for her.

Mr. W. B. Carter, a veteran public servant in Roanoke and a former member of the Council, is returned to that important policy-making body at a time when characters of his caliber are so badly needed. A man of his age, training and experience will be a great asset to our rapidly growing and overburdened city.

The fourth person elected, Vincent S. Wheeler. is a new comer into the city's official family. As a business man, a church man and a community worker, he has won many warm and lasting friends. He has the reputation of being understanding, interested in problems of others and always ready to lend a helping hand to worthy people. While this is the beginning of his political career, we feel safe in saying that Mr. Wheeler is endowed with virtues which spell success for him in any worthy undertaking. He will be limited by no boundary line, and, the sky will be his height.

Having won the booby prize in the councilmanic contest, permit me to extend congratulations to the winners, and, my best wishes for the blessings of God upon their labor.