THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 16, 1997 TAG: 9702140016
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 47 lines
Norfolk City Council is proceeding in a methodical way to have the voters, not members of council, elect the mayor. Splendid!
The council disclosed last week that it intends to commission 15 citizens to explore the issues raised by the proposed change. The panel will conduct public hearings and prepare a recommendation.
The mayors in Norfolk's neighboring cities - Suffolk excepted - are elected by the people. The Norfolk City Council thinks the time has come for the old port city to fall in line, if only to assure that at least one council member is answerable to the electorate throughout the city rather than to the voters of a regular ward or super ward. Norfolk has five regular wards and two super wards.
Direct election might alter that mix to four small wards, two super wards and one mayor whose ``ward'' would be the city.
All members of the city's seven-member council were long chosen by voters citywide. The ward system, dictated by the outcome of litigation, in recent years replaced at-large voting for council candidates. The litigation's aim was to boost the number of black council members. Today, three of the council's seven members are black.
A mayor answerable to the Norfolk electorate rather than the council members who elect him ``president'' of the council and thus ``mayor'' would be in a stronger position to lead and represent Norfolk. The system in place compels the mayor to engage in constant horse trading with ward representatives in order to act in behalf of all Norfolk as well as in the interests of the constituents of his ward.
Bargaining, compromising, trading votes - these are the essence of politics and can be used for good or ill. Often messy, often corrupt, politics is an enterprise that most citizens prefer to avoid. Nonetheless, politics is how laws are made and public policies are set and so politicking is inevitable.
But popular election of Norfolk's mayor would strengthen His Honor's hand in dealing with the council and with businesses and investors eyeing opportunities in the city.
A word of caution: Some may suggest, in connection with a turn to a popularly elected mayor, that City Council's membership be increased. Enlarging council would be a mistake. Seven members is right for Norfolk - a nine- or 11-member council would be unwieldy. Besides, Norfolk is a compact city whose population has decreased in recent decades. A popularly elected mayor? Yes. But keep council lean.