Trinkle is the true leader in difficult times: An Editorial

The following appears in the May 1, 2010 edition of The Roanoke Times.

http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/letters/wb/245294

Trinkle is the true leader in difficult times

As we head into Tuesday’s city council election and the rhetoric heats up, it is time to evaluate the impact your vote will have on the future of our community.

Which candidate has demonstrated the traits of a good leader? Will he lead in a collaborative and useful direction? Who has a track record of solving problems — not creating controversy? Who has the practical experience, intellectual bench-strength and creative vision to navigate the challenges in a progressive and positive manner?

If you’ve paid attention to the human quality of the candidates and the substance of their messages, there’s an obvious contrast. Dave Trinkle is the best choice for Roanoke City Council. He’s served the community as a physician, businessman and citizen.

On one thing we can all agree: We’re lucky to live in a democracy and have the opportunity to play an active role in our future.

It’s up to you to decide who has the experience and disposition to be an effective and positive leader — then go out and vote. I encourage you to use one of your three votes for Trinkle, who has the experience and has demonstrated the leadership that’s crucial during these difficult economic times.

Trinkle honors our past and our future: An Editorial

The following appears in the May 1, 2010 edition of The Roanoke Times: http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/letters/wb/245294

Trinkle honors our past and our future

I’m sometimes accused of being change-avoidant. I’m not anti-change but think that community change should strive to learn lessons from and to honor our shared past. I think in David Trinkle we have a city councilman who does just that.

Trinkle has championed much change in our city over the last several years, first as a member of the school board and then as a member of city council.

My college-aged daughters see him as the candidate who understands and works for their generation by working to keep Roanoke the same family-friendly, child-oriented city they grew up in.

He also strives to help create a new climate where employers will want to locate their businesses to keep Roanoke fiscally healthy and to allow our amenities to grow so that it will be a city they can come home to when their education is complete.

He is a candidate who honors where Roanoke has been but is committed to making sure its future is bright. He is the candidate we need during these tough economic times when the choices are hard and options fewer. I encourage Roanoke citizens to vote for our future and to vote for Trinkle.