THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, September 16, 1994             TAG: 9409150171
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON    PAGE: 05   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY KAREN WEINTRAUB, STAFF WRITER 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   50 lines

DISTRICT-BASED VOTING URGED HEED WILL OF VOTERS IN LAST ELECTION, CITY COUNCIL TOLD

A half-dozen residents told City Council members this week that they are right to revisit the issue of reapportionment. But the residents were outnumbered by others who believe the Council should quit listening and start taking the action recommended by a majority of voters this spring.

Four months ago, voters approved a non-binding measure calling for a change in the Council's structure. The Council of Civic Organizations circulated the petition that put the issue on the ballot and about 25 of its members turned out Tuesday to reiterate their support for a change to district-based council elections.

Now, all 11 City Council members are elected by all city residents, although seven of the members are considered borough representatives and must live in the part of town they represent. Because the boroughs range in size from under 1,000 to nearly 150,000, some say the current system denies adequate representation to those in the most populous boroughs.

Under the plan voted on in May, the city would be divided into seven equal parts and the seven district representatives would be elected solely by residents of their area. Even if the council signs off on this plan, it must receive the approval of the state legislature and the U.S. Justice Department.

The City Council, many of whose members disagree with the voters' conclusions, decided to provide another forum to discuss the issue. They have scheduled a second public hearing for Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. in council chambers.

The speakers Tuesday debated whether voters really understood what they were approving or were just speaking in favor of change.

James F. Willenbrink said members of his civic league, Pembroke Meadows and Shores, originally supported the Council of Civic Organizations' plan. But when they realized the plan called for the establishment of wards, they came out 67-0 against it. He said he would like to see the boroughs reapportioned into equal parts, but would retain the right to vote for all 11 members.

Maxine Graham, a 28-year resident of Sandbridge, told the council she would rather see the current council structure remain intact.

``I think it is the fairest system,'' Graham said. ``I feel threatened by people who want to tell me how I can vote and who I can vote for.''

But most of those who attended the public hearing seemed to agree with Al Strazzulo, who said the council's reconsideration of reapportionment was ``really just a desperate attempt to overturn the results'' of the election. by CNB