Harshberger to seek Radford council seat
RADFORD - A retired Virginia Tech associate professor said Wednesday he plans to run for a seat on the Radford City Council in the May 4 election.
Dick Harshberger, who was also director of the university's leadership development program and a former director of its Pamplin College of Business Management Development Center, said he has enjoyed living in Radford for the past 28 years and now "it's payback time." Two of the council's four seats will be on the ballot in May. One is now held by Bill Yerrick, appointed to fill out an unexpired term. Yerrick said he does not plan to run for a full term. The other is held by Dave Worrell, who has put in about 20 years on the council. Worrell said Wednesday he may decide whether to seek re-election within a week.
"For the past 28 years, I and my family have reaped the benefits of living in one of the finest communities in Virginia," Harshberger said in his announcement. "My children have had one of the finest public elementary and secondary educations available anywhere. I've benefited from a wonderful quality of life surrounded by some of the finest people you could meet anywhere."
He said the city is facing tough decisions and serious obstacles to its continuing growth. "I feel like it's payback time for me. I'm retired, but I'm vigorous and energetic, and want to help solve our problems as a member of city council, if the people will have me."
Harshberger said he believes he has skills that would help Radford.
"People who know me find me to be a visionary leader, a tough manager, a strategic, long-range planner, a good listener and a person of integrity," he said. "If that's what the voters of Radford want, then I know that I will use my skills to represent them conscientiously for the next four years."
As a young man, Harshberger financed his education with a variety of jobs that included butcher's apprentice, ditch digger, warehouseman, hotel night clerk, welder's helper, apprentice iron worker and chief construction engineer's assistant. He also worked at Johnson and Johnson at its corporate headquarters in New Brunswick, N.J.
Since retiring from Virginia Tech, he has been chief operating officer and a principal in Strategic Decisions Alliance, which specializes in strategic and long-range planning for governmental agencies, construction firms, utilities and service organizations.
Harshberger is past president of the Radford Rotary Club, a member of the Radford Chamber of Commerce, and was the original director of "The Long Way Home," an outdoor drama presented annually for more than 30 years in Radford. His wife, Kathleen, wrote the script for the indoor version performed two years ago while the outdoor drama seeks a new site.
The couple has three children: Kate, a Radford University graduate; Ted, who works for the Rand Corp. in Santa Monica, Calif., and Christian, a Marine major stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Harshberger is a member of the Arts Society Council for Radford University, and has been a supporter of Radford University's theater and fine arts programs."I'm retired, but I'm vigorous and energetic, and want to help solve our problems as a member of city council, if the people will have me."
Dick Harshberger
Plans to run for city council
Dick Harshberger, who was also director of the university's leadership development program and a former director of its Pamplin College of Business Management Development Center, said he has enjoyed living in Radford for the past 28 years and now "it's payback time." Two of the council's four seats will be on the ballot in May. One is now held by Bill Yerrick, appointed to fill out an unexpired term. Yerrick said he does not plan to run for a full term. The other is held by Dave Worrell, who has put in about 20 years on the council. Worrell said Wednesday he may decide whether to seek re-election within a week.
"For the past 28 years, I and my family have reaped the benefits of living in one of the finest communities in Virginia," Harshberger said in his announcement. "My children have had one of the finest public elementary and secondary educations available anywhere. I've benefited from a wonderful quality of life surrounded by some of the finest people you could meet anywhere."
He said the city is facing tough decisions and serious obstacles to its continuing growth. "I feel like it's payback time for me. I'm retired, but I'm vigorous and energetic, and want to help solve our problems as a member of city council, if the people will have me."
Harshberger said he believes he has skills that would help Radford.
"People who know me find me to be a visionary leader, a tough manager, a strategic, long-range planner, a good listener and a person of integrity," he said. "If that's what the voters of Radford want, then I know that I will use my skills to represent them conscientiously for the next four years."
As a young man, Harshberger financed his education with a variety of jobs that included butcher's apprentice, ditch digger, warehouseman, hotel night clerk, welder's helper, apprentice iron worker and chief construction engineer's assistant. He also worked at Johnson and Johnson at its corporate headquarters in New Brunswick, N.J.
Since retiring from Virginia Tech, he has been chief operating officer and a principal in Strategic Decisions Alliance, which specializes in strategic and long-range planning for governmental agencies, construction firms, utilities and service organizations.
Harshberger is past president of the Radford Rotary Club, a member of the Radford Chamber of Commerce, and was the original director of "The Long Way Home," an outdoor drama presented annually for more than 30 years in Radford. His wife, Kathleen, wrote the script for the indoor version performed two years ago while the outdoor drama seeks a new site.
The couple has three children: Kate, a Radford University graduate; Ted, who works for the Rand Corp. in Santa Monica, Calif., and Christian, a Marine major stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Harshberger is a member of the Arts Society Council for Radford University, and has been a supporter of Radford University's theater and fine arts programs."I'm retired, but I'm vigorous and energetic, and want to help solve our problems as a member of city council, if the people will have me."
Dick Harshberger
Plans to run for city council
