THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 7, 1994 TAG: 9407070517
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MAC DANIEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
Mayor Steven Chris Jones was 27 when he entered Suffolk politics in sneakers and braces.
He went to his first City Council meeting a month after announcing his candidacy. People he introduced himself to would refer to him as ``Bobby's boy,'' after his father, Robert Jones.
The dental work is gone now. And while Jones, now 36, still prefers Nikes to wingtips and occasionally wears a silk tie adorned with the mug of Disney's Goofy, the ``kid mayor'' has grown up. His father is now known as ``Chris' dad.''
In a further sign of his political maturation, the City Council has elected Jones to a second term as mayor.
Three new council members also took their seats Wednesday night - former Assistant City Manager Thomas G. Underwood, Charles F. Brown and retired Fire Chief J. Samuel ``Sammy'' Carter.
Curtis R. Milteer Sr. will again serve as vice mayor.
Jones still quotes lyrics from John Prine folk songs when things go politically awry. But when it comes to city business, he's all work and no play.
Jones, first elected mayor in 1992, again takes the helm of a council filled with members closer to his father's age. He and others hope his youthful enthusiasm will help take his hometown out of the doldrums and into the limelight.
He was first elected to the council in 1986, defeating an incumbent and surprising many. Some skeptics called him ``the 180-day wonder,'' expecting his tenure to be short.
But instead of faltering, Jones has politically matured.
He has built a strong base of support in his native Chuckatuck, where he handles physical as well as municipal ailments from behind the counter of Bennett's Creek Pharmacy. He succeeded his father as the store's owner and pharmacist.
When he gets a second, he'll sit down with a constituent at a table at the front of the store, snap open a soda and talk. He is on a first-name basis with everyone.
In this year's elections, he was the only City Council incumbent to run unopposed, spending just $197.58 on his campaign.
Behind the boyish facade lies a canny politician. He rarely takes criticism personally. After some of the city's most vocal gadflies end their tirades at council meetings, Jones will simply thank them and bid them good night.
``As a leader I think he's done a very admirable job,'' said former Councilman Roy F. Waller. ``I found him easy to get along with, easy to negotiate with and very sincere in his approach.''
Waller remembers the comments made back in 1986 when Jones entered the fray.
``He was too young and lacked experience, not enough maturity - the normal negative things that come out,'' Waller said. ``I don't care if he was 10 years old, he shouldn't be subjected to the criticism. But I think he's overcome some of these negative comments.''
Waller said the main challenge facing Jones is to get the council to speak with one voice. ``When somebody wants something done, even in their borough, it should go through council as a body and not as seven individuals,'' Waller said.
Jones said his emphasis this term will be on housing, economic development, sewer and water service and education. He plans to push hard for more affordable housing in the city. For now, at least, he is not setting his political sights beyond Suffolk. ``I don't plan on making it a career,'' he said of politics. ``I don't view myself as mayor. I just view myself as Chris.'' ILLUSTRATION: Mayor Steven Chris Jones was elected to a second term in
Suffolk.
KEYWORDS: SUFFOLK CITY COUNCIL SUFFOLK MAYOR ELECTION by CNB