Bowers makes 5th run for mayor, this time as independent

By Jay Warren
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: February 28, 2008

With the sounds of bagpipes and chants of “run David run,” David Bowers made it official, again. He’s making his fifth bid for mayor of Roanoke City after losing his last two.

This time the former Democrat is running as an independent and he’s taking direct aim at Roanoke City Hall.

”The city council is the laughing stock of our region,” he said. “I’d like to see if we can Roanoke back on track.”

When asked about his recent, long losing streak, Bowers admitted he’s stumbled, but added, “As my Irish aunt says, ‘I falls, buts I always gets up.‘ I think people have to decide who it is that really cares about them.”

Meanwhile, the intrigue over who will fill this seat on council continues. Alfred Dowe’s sudden resignation leaves a hole there and his former council members will now appoint his successor.

Who might it be? It is likely to be a Democrat since everyone on council is a Democrat. Will it be a safe choice like former Councilman Rupert Cutler? Or how about Rich Cranwell, the runner up in the Democratic primary earlier this month?

Whoever it is, the choice is important because it could impact a host of issues to be decided over the next two years. Issues like a final verdict on the amphitheater to be built here on the site of the old Victory Stadium or whether to build a restaurant on Mill Mountain. And perhaps more pressing are plans to rejuvenate downtown Roanoke, particularly the Market Building.

Roanoke is in a way at a crossroads. With an election looming and now an unexpected empty seat on council, little is for certain except that David Bowers is again a candidate.