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Roanoke mayoral recount costs taxpayers

A recount in Roanoke’s mayoral race that upheld Joe Cobb’s narrow victory over David Bowers cost taxpayers at least $13,000, according to records.

Certified results issued soon after the Nov. 5 election placed Cobb, a Democrat, 59 votes ahead of Republican David Bowers, after which Bowers asked for a recount. The recount found that 15,246 votes were cast for Cobb and 15,217 for Bowers, a 29-vote victory for Cobb.

Over two days in December, election workers counted ballots at the city courthouse as judges presided.

Because the initial margin between Cobb and Bowers was less than 0.5 percent, Bowers could request a recount for which taxpayers would foot the bill.

Most of the costs incurred by the city’s Office of Voter Registration and Elections were for paying the 22 election officers. That totaled $8,799.13, according to records released by Director of Elections and General Registrar Nick Ocampo.

Records show the city also paid the voting machine vendor, Election Services Online, LLC, $3,600 to be on hand for testing and support. Another $353.62 went toward boxed lunches from Macado’s and $286 toward parking for election officers.

The costs to Ocampo’s office do not include potential recount expenses to other city departments or state agencies that may have been on hand, such as the sheriff’s office.

Bowers declined to comment.

Council seeks more time on vacancy

Roanoke Council members say they need more time to decide who should join their ranks for a two-year appointment.

After interviewing three finalists — former councilwoman Trish White-Boyd, former city treasurer Evelyn Powers and Temple Emanuel rabbi Kathy Cohen — on Monday, Council emerged from closed doors after two-and-a-half hours without a decision.

Mayor Joe Cobb told The Rambler that Council members will meet again next Monday to continue deliberations. 

State law says Council has until Feb. 14 to appoint a successor to Cobb, who gave up the last two years of his Council seat when he was sworn in as mayor. 

Dozens of residents have spoken in favor of each candidate, most expressing support for either Powers or White-Boyd.

White-Boyd served on Council from 2019 until her latest term ended in December. She expressed a desire to help Council make decisions that impact communities that are not always empowered.

“Folks call me ‘Tenacious Trish,’” she said. “I am determined to do what needs to be done.”

White-Boyd cited her efforts to raise money for a Henrietta Lacks statue outside city hall and her leadership on the city’s Equity and Empowerment Advisory Board as examples of her tenacity and commitment to helping marginalized communities.

White-Boyd cited a lack of economic development, particularly in Northwest Roanoke, as a key issue facing the city. She said it was important to come to consensus on issues where Council members had diverging opinions. 

“If you cannot reach a consensus on Council or anywhere, you cannot govern,” she said. 

Powers cited crafting the city’s budget as a major issue facing Council members, pitching her 43 years in municipal finance as a good fit for the position. Powers retired in September after 20 years as the elected city treasurer and lost the November election in a bid on Council.

“I’m not seeking this seat for personal ambition,” Powers said. “I am seeking this out of a sincere commitment to our city.”

Powers said she wanted to bring “transparency and strong financial stewardship” to the Council. She highlighted how she instituted a sliding scale at the treasurer’s office so that when taxpayers were late on certain bills they weren’t hit immediately with a large penalty.

Cohen said she spearheaded a program that handed out gun locks while serving on the Gun Violence Prevention Commission, of which she is now chair. She also started a reading buddy program for elementary school students and served on the city’s equity board.

In her role as a faith leader, Cohen said she has also brought different communities together, including Jewish and Black residents and Jewish and Muslim residents through meals.

“I represent a religious diversity that has been absent from Council for some time,” Cohen said.

She cited housing availability, gun violence and drug overdoses as key issues facing the city.

School board appointee picked

Christopher T. Link will replace Natasha Saunders-Cotton on Roanoke’s school board.

Roanoke City Council voted Monday to appoint Link to the term, which runs through June 2026. Councilwoman Vivian Sanchez-Jones, who works for the school system, abstained. Roanoke is one of the few localities in Virginia that appoints members of the school board.

Council had interviewed Link for a vacancy in the spring of 2023, but opted to reappoint incumbents at the time. Link, a structural engineer, has served as board president of the Raleigh Court Neighborhood Association and has a child in the school system. 

“I believe public education deserves dignity, respect, & the full support of the community,” Link wrote in his application. “I believe every child should have access to a rigorous curriculum, nurturing support, clear standards, and a safe environment in which to access them.”

Link emerged from a pool of four candidates, which included Jaime Mather, Susan Reese and former city manager Darlene Burcham. 

Council is also seeking school board applicants for terms running from July 2025 through June 2028, currently held by Franny Apel and Joyce Watkins. If incumbents seek another term, it would be unusual for Council not to reappoint them.

The clerk’s office will accept applications for those positions by 5 p.m. Monday, March 10.