Evening star., 1955-01-30
Political ReaIignmenl
Seen for Two Seats
On Arlington Board
By WiIIiom ]. EIvin


A County Board race with new
faces and q new alignment OF
political forces is in prospect in
Arlington this fall.
Robert A. Peck, Republican,
says he expects to stay out OF
the race.
This year may mark the end
Of Town MeetingF the Non-Par-
tisan Nominating Convention.
and birth of q new group. In
cluding the Nom -Partisans. un-'
der a new name.
Speculation on the contest to
fill the two seats to be vacated
December 81 has been stirred by
action Of the Democratic Execu-
tive Committee last Thursday.
The committee announced the
party will stay out Of that race
this year.
Peck to Stay Out Of Race.
Last November, the Democratic
candidate, Brian Bell. was among
the losers as Mrs. Leone Buch-
holz. nominee Of Arlington In
dependent Movement. was re-
elected. Mrs. Buchholz had the
support Of the two Republican
members of the board-George
M. Rowzee, jr.. now chairman,
and Mr.. Peck. The Republican
Executive Committee made no
Endorsement in the 1854 election.
Mr.. Peck, o Clarendon auto
mobile dealer, said yesterday, Il
would have to see something
come tunibling down before I
would run again. want to sit
this one out"
Mr.. Peck said he would have a
"tough choice" II he does decide
to be a candidate. He was elected
as a Republican. but has been q
leader in the Arlington Inde-
pendent Movement.
Perhaps this choice can be
avoided after the g. O.P. COM
mittee meets next month. The
committee may reaffirm its 1854
policy and refrain from making
any Endorsement or nomination.
Kimel's Term to Expire.
The term of Alvin F. Kimel,
who was elected as an AIM
candidate. also expires this year.
Mr.. Kimel has been mentioned
as a possible candidate for dele
gate in the Democratic primary
in July. He had no statement
yesterday on his plans, but some
AIM leaders said he would not
have their support this year.
These leaders would like to
see Basil M. DeLaShmutt, former
board chairman. and Dolph
Hays. an AIM candidate for the
School Board in 1858, make the
County Board race.
Expected to Change Tactics.
Mr.. Rowzee said AIM expects
to run candidates who will zap
peal to the conservative people
Of both parties" Referring to.
the opposition anticipated by
AIM, Mr.. Rowzee added, They
can call the other group any
name they want to-"
The opposition is expected to
change tactics this year and try
the AIM technique Of making a
broad appeal to Republicans,
Democrats and independents.
The Non -Partisans, nucleus Of
AIM opposition, have been on
the outside looking in ever since
AIM swept three board seats in
1852. Tins lack Of success led to
the proposal to abolish Town
Meeting and stage another nom
mating convention in the hope
that It would have wider appeal.
To Elect 3 to School Board.
Some Democrats who voted
Thursday night against having
q party candidate this year may
have had such a prospect in
mind.
Three School Board seats are
TO be filled next fall. The terms
Of the chairman. Mrs. Elizabeth
Campbell. DR.. Barnard Joy and
Warren Cox. expire this year.
All three were nominees Of
the School Board Nominating
Convention which is expected to
be convened again this year to
name candidates. AIM leaders
said yesterday they are unde-
cided whether they viii put up
an opposition slate.