What to expect from Harris’ last weeks in office?

By Jay Warren
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: May 13, 2008

The countdown on Nelson Harris’ one term in the mayor’s office is on. Harris has three more scheduled council meetings. How will he handle them?

Monday, a relaxed, sweater-wearing mayor presided over a fast-passed recessed session. There was no discussion of the budget amendments, just votes… all of them unanimous. But one of the votes was controversial nonetheless. Council voted to cut the Fire Department’s budget by $300,000+. A large chunk of the city’s firefighters were in attendance to silently voice the loud opposition to the cuts.

The cuts had council’s and city management’s support, but not the support of incoming mayor David Bowers. In fact, Bowers subtly called on the current council to refrain from making any major decisions (aside from mandatory budget decisions) until the new council can be seated.

Will Nelson oblige? Will the relaxed Nelson stay with us, a lame duck just waiting for his term to end? Or will he try to push through some last minute votes on issues crucial to him? After the 2006 election, the council read the results and moved quickly to tear down Victory Stadium. Which Nelson will we see?

As an example, can he get a vote on the construction of the Rockledge Inn on Mill Mountain before he leaves office? It’s improbable given the number of outside groups and commissions involved, but is it impossible?

Can he create some roadblocks for Bowers and the new council when it comes to construction of the new amphitheater or the transition of Forest Park Elementary to a school for at-risk teens?

Bowers call for inaction seemed a quiet jab at Nelson Harris. Will he react or fade quietly off the Roanoke political stage? We have six weeks to see.