THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 28, 1996 TAG: 9601260271
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
He's a councilman now, but Cameron C. Pitts admits he may be a long shot in this year's election.
Wednesday, when Pitts announced his intention to run for re-election, he also told his supporters that he would no longer have the backing of the Portsmouth Committee, a powerful local political action committee that helped get him elected four years ago.
Most of his supporters weren't surprised. The Portsmouth Committee vowed retribution last year, after Pitts revealed that the city was pursuing a riverboat gambling franchise that included committee members among its investors.
Pitts said the controversy helped him form one of his first campaign goals - the creation of an ethics review board.
``I wouldn't have had to go out there and squealed, if we had an ethics board,'' Pitts said. ``That was the only way I could stop an inside deal from happening.''
He said other riverboat interests also are going to target his campaign and try to have him ousted.
``We do have organized gambling out there, and they're running against me,'' he said.
Pitts, 59, said he would also like to continue pressing for a carousel at the Children's Museum, but he's keeping quiet on that for now because he believes he's the only reason the carousel isn't already installed. Pitts, a retired businessman, said his detractors have been working against it because it was his idea.
His other campaign promises include bringing new retail sales to Portsmouth, such as specialty shops and family oriented businesses; improving the pay scale for teachers and public safety workers; and expanding crime-fighting efforts in the neighborhoods.
Pitts said he also plans to fight against federal stormwater management requirements and hopes to force the federal government to make payments in lieu of taxes for federal property within the city.
He wants to use the city's waterfront to bring in more tourist money. To attract visitors, Pitts said he wants to put a tower or construct a tall fountain visible from Norfolk.
A diverse group of people attended Pitts' campaign announcement, including citizens involved in fighting crime, civic league leaders, the sheriff, several deputies, City Councilman Bernard Griffin and former Vice Mayor Lee King.
Both Griffin and King also are likely to run for one of the three at-large council seats available. Mayor Gloria O. Webb's term also expires this year.
Rafiq Zaidi also announced that he intends to make his third run for the City Council. Zaidi, who has lost previous attempts, said he's going to do a lot of things differently in this campaign.
His first effort he said will be to get support from Muslim leader Louis Farrakhan.
``I have an opportunity to have a conference with him,'' Zaidi said. ``After the Million Man March, the community at-large has a better understanding of the Nation of Islam and those of us who follow (it). . . .'' Zaidi, 52, said he is an advocate for Portsmouth's poor.
``There seems to be a void in the community when it comes to the underprivileged and as always I seem to be the champion,'' Zaidi said. ``I see apathy from the council.''
Zaidi pledged to lower Portsmouth's crime rate. He would not expand on his ideas because he said the city used his ideas to form its community policing and neighborhood enhancement program and then prevented his supporters from participating.
Zaidi also criticized some of the city's economic development deals, including the recent sale of King's Crossing and its nine-year history of problems, largely resulting from the savings and loan scandal.
``I don't believe we can stand for the same government to exist in the next century,'' Zaidi said. ``Not for nine more years of mis-manage-ment.''
Zaidi said he is not asking for campaign contributions.
``I believe I can run my campaign without funds,'' he said. by CNB