Roanoke City Council interviews three finalists to fill Cobb vacancy; candidates emphasize housing, public safety and fiscal stewardship

Three finalists interviewed publicly before the Roanoke City Council to fill the unexpired term of Joseph L. Cobb, which runs through Dec. 31, 2026. The council conducted candidate interviews in open session and said it will return to closed session to consider the appointment; no public vote was recorded at the meeting.

The interviews focused on housing, public safety, equity and fiscal management — issues candidates said they would prioritize if appointed. Rabbi Cathy Cohen, Evelyn Powers and Patricia White Boyd each delivered opening remarks, answered a set of council questions and summarized why they seek the seat.

Rabbi Cathy Cohen, rabbi of Temple Emanuel and chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Commission, described community programs she said she led and emphasized collaboration. "I believe strongly in building a vibrant, safe, and healthy city through community involvement and bringing people who would generally not know each other together," Rabbi Cathy Cohen said. She told council the commission led an early gun-lock distribution…