THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 8, 1996 TAG: 9605080570
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Decision '96
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
A mind-boggling ballot yielded a new School Board majority that is likely to focus more on quality schools and education than on the budget crisis that has plagued the school district in the past year.
Only one winner, Neil L. Rose, a business and tax attorney, has a background in money management. One is a former teacher. The others have suggested that restoring the Beach's reputation for high-quality schools is a top priority.
In City Council elections, voters opted for the tried and true. They returned the mayor, the at-large council member and two unopposed incumbents. Reba S. McClanan, who ousted the councilman for the Princess Anne Borough, Robert K. Dean, is no newcomer. She's a former councilwoman. NORFOLK
The few people who voted opted for stability and a moderate City Council balanced between aggressive downtown development and revitalizing the city's neighborhoods.
Downtown retained a champion in Superward 6's Mason C. Andrews, although Andrews would argue that neighborhoods can reap the benefits of a thriving core city. Andrews enters his 23rd year in office.
Daun S. Hester, a moderate African American backed by the business establishment, became the newest member of the City Council. She will represent Superward 7.
Hester is likely to continue the tradition of her predecessor, the Rev. Joseph N. Green Jr. CHESAPEAKE
Democratic Mayor William E. Ward kept his seat but not a working majority on the City Council.
Vice Mayor Robert T. Nance Jr., a Republican, was defeated, but another Republican, Dalton S. Edge, prevailed. Elizabeth P. Thornton and Dwight M. Parker, part of Ward's ``diversity'' ticket, also won.
That puts four Republicans, four Democrats or Ward allies, and one independent on the council.
What the split will mean for managing growth, this year's top issue, remains to be seen. Some said a Ward majority would end infighting and get more done.
In any case, zoning that dates to the city's inception limits the council's power to control home construction.
Not much change is expected on the School Board, as all but one winner had the inside political track. PORTSMOUTH
James W. Holley III's victory leaves a lot of questions about how the council will meet the call for economic development, a lower crime rate and better schools.
Holley is cool to the current council's Vision 2005 plan, which involves citizens and government working to improve some of Portsmouth's oldest areas. Holley believes more jobs will reduce crime and return the city to more prosperous days.
Meanwhile, two supporters of Vision 2005 - incumbents Bernard D. Griffin and Cameron C. Pitts - won, as did newcomer J. Thomas Benn III, backed by the pro-business Portsmouth Committee.
The city's first School Board election saw the return of three appointed incumbents running on a ``biracial ticket.'' New are a college professor and a dentist. SUFFOLK
The Nansemond Borough, redistricted several years ago to gain black representation, finally got its first black councilman, Leroy Bennett. And the Sleepy Hole Borough returned an incumbent, Marian ``Bea'' Rogers.
The election was a contrast in a city concerned about where growth is leading. Nansemond needs its older neighborhoods refurbished. Sleepy Hole is a fast-growing and contentious suburb, where residents don't want additional taxation to support development.
In the School Board election, voters decided change was in order. Nansemond elected newcomer John R. Riddick Sr. over board chairman Arthur D. Smith. Newcomer James E. Perkinson Jr. beat Bruce T. Benn and Robert M. Brooks Jr. in Sleepy Hole. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic with charts
Charts show percentage of registered voters who voted. All returns
are unofficial.
Virginia Beach 27 percent
Norfolk 26 percent
Chesapeake 35 percent
Portsmouth 47 percent
Suffolk 25 percent
Winners are named in same graphic
KEYWORDS: ELECTION RESULTS by CNB