Harris defeated for Roanoke Mayor

By Angela Hatcher
WSLS10 Reporter/Anchor
Published: May 6, 2008

Perhaps it’s a sign of the times, Court Rosen sends a text message, just moments before this.

“Yes!”, exclaims Rosen, after learning he won a seat on Roanoke City Council.

He may be the new kid on the block and on council but as Rosen works the room at 202 Market, he has already got shaking hands and kissing babies down pat.

Angela Hatcher asks the 29 year old, “That’s been the push in Roanoke for a long time to get young people here, to keep them here. You’re the poster child for that campaign.  What are you going to do to keep the young people here?”

“We’ve got to do a number of things.”, says Rosen.  “Roanoke’s greatest asset is the great quality of life we have here.”

Rosen is on the way in.

“Are you leaving Roanoke a better place than when you took office?”, asks Angela Hatcher of Mayor Nelson Harris.  “I think I am.”, responds Harris.

Nelson admits he’s disappointed over his defeat by David Bowers.

“If I had any regrets it would be about what’s ahead that I will not be in the Mayor’s chair to support and be a part of.”, says Harris.

Sherman Lea is the city’s next Vice Mayor.

“Have you lost an ally in Brian Wishneff?”, asks Angela Hatcher.  “Well when you look at over four years, I would have to say yes.”, says Lea.

“This is what it’s all about because if we don’t work together for our children and grandchildren then what’s the point?”, says Anita Price as she scoops two of her granddaughters up on her lap.

She’s humbled to be the first African-American woman elected to Roanoke City Council but says she does not consider herself a trailblazer.

Price sums up the night this way, “We are the Star City and I just feel like the stars are the limit.”