THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 22, 1997 TAG: 9702220007
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 41 lines
Norfolk Councilman Paul R. Riddick says he won't resign his seat even if he loses his appeal from the $500 fine (half of it suspended) and 30-day jail sentence (suspended) imposed by visiting Judge Robert Jacobi, who pronounced him guilty of misdemeanor assault in the Virginia Ham Shop on East Little Creek Road on Nov. 16, 1996. His disinclination to resign is his choice, but no one need like it, not even the voters of his ward.
Ham-shop employee Lynda Doss testified that Riddick threw a pound of ham at her in anger, knocking off her glasses. Another employee corroborated her testimony.
The councilman testified that he had come into the shop, where he says he had made purchases for two decades, to return ham that he said neither looked right nor smelled right. He had bought the sliced ham for a tailgate party.
Riddick and Doss had words. Doss defended the ham but packaged three quarters of a pound of ham to replace the three-quarters of a pound that Riddick had returned. The councilman protested. Doss wrapped up a pound. Riddick says she flung the package toward him and that he reflexively put his hand out to block it. He denies throwing ham at her.
How the councilman's appeal will fare is anyone's guess; a Norfolk Circuit Court hearing is set for March 5.
Riddick occasionally behaves rudely and angrily at council meetings. One of three black Norfolk City Council members, he has recklessly accused white council members of ``racism.'' His outbursts scarcely inspire trust in his judgment or enhance his effectiveness. The clash in the ham shop further blemishes his reputation and severely damages his credibility, to the detriment of both his constituents and his city.
An undertaker, Riddick has struggled long and hard to gain public office. He appears serious about advancing the fortunes of Norfolk's African Americans and the city as a whole. But Riddick's conspicuous failure to control his temper discredits his achievements and embarrasses council. If he doesn't shape up, his constituents should ship him out.