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May 15 Special Election for Council Vacancy Featured

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Former Ward 5 Council member HarryThomas Jr. addressed media after appearing in court Jan. 6. Former Ward 5 Council member HarryThomas Jr. addressed media after appearing in court Jan. 6. Courtesy Photo

A May 15 special election will be held for the seat that was recently vacated by former Ward 5 Council member Harry Thomas Jr. Thomas, 51, resigned Jan. 5, one day before pleading guilty in U. S. District Court of embezzling more than $350,000 of public funds and filing false tax returns. The vacancy that now exists on the 13-member governing body was formally declared Jan. 17 by the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics.

According to statements from DOEE chairwoman Deborah Nichols, the special election will cost about $318,000.

Meanwhile, Thomas who made a deal with prosecutors and awaits sentencing in early May, could spend just over three years in prison. "I made some very serious mistakes and exhibited inadequate and flawed judgment,"

Thomas wrote in his resignation letter that in addition to exhibiting poor judgment, he had made serious mistakes.

"I take full responsibility for my actions. I am truly sorry," he wrote.

6 comments

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    ddiqewngzw Wednesday, 29 February 2012 17:20 Comment Link
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    hqhxtobve Friday, 24 February 2012 17:58 Comment Link
  • azmir

    To the two or three that state This seems like an aatctk! , well a big BOO-HOO to you! I think this is a breath of fresh air for this city, because for the first time in 3 years since i moved back (lived in Roanoke total 28yrs), I find some people with the same fustration that i have about my city. The information is public, but it seems that we live in one of the few cities in America, where it's citizens wont confront their elected officals unless they step foot in their front yards, no matter how crappy of a job they are doing. I personally like the city manager, and think she has some good points to her, but I feel she needs to step down.Our city is mismanaged, BOTTOM LINE>.I blame them all down to the recycled city mayor, council, and manager for the mismanagement.I second opinion, that until the people of Roanoke city finally get good and tired of having our mayor, council, and manager leans towards their career moves and pet projects; nothing is going to happen. I love the old clip from the original Batman movie with Jack Nicholson as Joker ?This city needs an enema!?Have you been to a council voting? The turnout is horrible!! Nobody cares who runs their city, but are the first to complain about it. Make sure you tell your friends and family about the upcoming ones, because the only people that truly get the word is the ?GO TO? voter areas where these guys get the votes they need to get in their, and the true middle class families that produce the tax revenue to support the city are the ones that suffer. And they eventually end up moving (ex. decrease in population) to an area that they can see their tax money benefiting them and not some council member?s or manager?s wet dream of an amphitheater.Should'nt we be more invested in a water system that doesnt need a patch every two months and every five feet? How about the crappy roads with potholes and patches every 5feet or the confusing design of the on and off ramps for 581, ect.? Why in the world can we not get decent services for basic city needs w/o hiring 25% of the city to do it? I see a bright yellow shirt (city employee shirts) and city vehicles driving around town all times of the day(and i am stuck in an office most of mine). Anyone ever wonder why we have this many employees working for the city? Dont get me started on the police services or trash carriers, because we would be here all day. I know i am not alone in being fustrated with the current status of our city.

    azmir Thursday, 23 February 2012 07:01 Comment Link
  • purplephat

    I noticed nothing reoccurs every year on the calendar . I think I saw that there is an option to select reoccurs every year when you post an event . I think birthdays and anniversaries may need to be altered .

    purplephat Thursday, 23 February 2012 01:49 Comment Link
  • Real

    DickIn a pclotiial system that we can see is rotten to the core, you stand out as a beacon of light!Your sacrifice is the complete opposite of what we are readign these last two days.Chons da a gothman!

    Real Wednesday, 22 February 2012 13:44 Comment Link

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