THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 22, 1995 TAG: 9506210204
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: In the Neighborhoods
SOURCE: Mike Knepler
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Jim Janata's forced resignation as president of the Norfolk Federation of Civic Leagues raises interesting questions about regional alliances among neighborhoods and relations between civic leagues and City Hall. Examples:
How important is it for civic leagues to build alliances and share ideas across city lines?
What ways can neighborhoods have a leading and effective voice for Hampton Roads future?
When should civic leagues promote regional solutions over the interests of individual cities?
Fallout. Norfolk civic leagues were not represented at the June 17 meeting of the new Hampton Roads Coalition of Civic Organizations.
Eloise LaBeau, acting president of the Norfolk Federation, said involvement in regional alliances will take lower priority for now.
``We're kind of cool on this regionalism for right now as far as Norfolk is concerned,'' she said. ``I'm not saying I'm opposed to it. I'm just not as hepped on it.''
Ironically, the regionalism meeting convened in Norfolk this month, as previously arranged by Janata.
Meanwhile, Bev Sell resigned as the Federation's corresponding secretary to protest Janata's departure.
``This public execution of Mr. Janata did more to divide the Federation and undermine its credibility than any perceived misstep Jim may have committed,'' Sell wrote to other civic-league leaders.
LaBeau, who led the ouster, said Janata overstepped authority in joining neighborhood leaders from other cities in speaking out on the Lake Gaston controversy.
On June 5, Janata and civic-league leaders of other cities urged Norfolk and Virginia Beach to stop fighting over Lake Gaston water prices. He added: ``We should look at a regional water authority and see if it makes sense. . .
LaBeau and her allies say Janata's comments undermined the City Council, especially about a regional water authority - which Norfolk officials oppose.
LaBeau and Janata disagree whether he had approval of the Federation's executive committee. LaBeau added that the panel only can authorize action in emergencies, but Gaston did not qualify.
As a result, ``The city has more or less closed their doors to the Federation of Civic Leagues,'' LaBeau declared to civic-league leaders.
Who gave her that impression? Not them, say Mayor Paul Fraim and City Manager Jim Oliver.
As for hurting city relations with the Federation, Fraim added: ``I don't think one person could do that. They're absolutely free to talk out on anything they want.''
Fraim also said that civic-league involvement in regionalism ``is not only valuable, it's essential.''
LaBeau now explains: ``Common sense will tell you that if you do something radical - and I consider (Janata's remarks) real radical - then (city officials) are not going to work with us. That doesn't mean we have to kiss their foot. We tell them when we feel they're wrong. But we all know that City Hall gives you only what they want to give you. . . . We're only going to get what they want to give us - not just our City Hall, but any city.''
LaBeau also praises the mission of the Hampton Roads Coalition of Civic Organizations. In part, it says: ``We will work with our neighbors and fellow citizens across municipal boundaries on issues which affect Hampton Roads' neighborhoods and actively promote citizen involvement.''
But LaBeau said she'll attend only for information; the federation will decide what to do after a new president is elected this fall.
Whoever that is, LaBeau said, must understand ``they're only the president and not the king.'' by CNB