THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 25, 1994 TAG: 9409230202
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers
LENGTH: Long : 107 lines
The night City Council approved the motion to appoint Debra White to senior deputy city clerk - Feb. 12, 1991 - White was a no-show.
``I wasn't working council meetings at the time, so I was not even there,'' said White, whose face is now a familiar sight at all council meetings.
As senior deputy city clerk, it is mandatory for White to attend the meetings in order to record the minutes and operate the voting board.
``They can't vote unless I push the buttons!,'' laughed White.
Prior to her appointment, White worked as a receptionist for the city's legislative and executive offices. In her eight years with the city, she also has worked as a part-time intermediate clerk typist in Housing Services, a clerk with the Planning Department and as an accounting clerk in the Finance Department.
White's most rewarding - and busiest - days at City Hall fall on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
``That's when we have our council meetings. I get here and before you know it, it's 5 o'clock, time for the council meeting,'' she said.
Prior to the meeting, White is busy ``making sure the agendas are ready, preparing the cards for the citizens who will be speaking, setting up for the meeting itself, putting all the information into the computer . . . it's just one thing after another,'' she said.
To reward White for her hard work, she was recently named ``City Employee of the Year'' by the Merrimac Kiwanis Club. White was nominated by her supervisor, City Clerk Sheila Powell Pittman.
In her letter of recommendation, Pittman lauded White for ``her level of enthusiasm, hard work, (attention to) detail and customer satisfaction.''
Pittman also praised White for her compassion, describing how White spearheaded a drive to help a fellow employee whose home was destroyed by fire.
``Debra took charge as she always does and solicited caring support and financial assistance from employees and non-profit agencies,'' Pittman wrote. ``The outpouring of love and help was extraordinary and truly brought people together in a spirit of harmony, friendship and love that I had never witnessed as a city employee during my 20-plus-year career.''
When White saw the glowing letter written by Pittman, she was both flattered and surprised.
``I had to ask her, `Who is that person?' '' White kidded.
Then, seriously: ``It was a very nice letter, and I really appreciate it, but the majority of these things I do, I do because I like doing them - not for the recognition or anything like that. I like being the behind-the-scenes person, the one who makes sure the work gets done. I'd rather let other people take the credit, if possible.''
White will be honored Tuesday at a dinner and reception sponsored by the Merrimac Kiwanis Club. She will be accompanied by her husband Alan, her parents, grandparents and mother-in-law.
So, is there a speech in the works for White?
``I'm not sure,'' she said, ``But I think I need to find that out! If I do, it will be very brief: `Thank you' and then I'll sit down. I'm pretty sure it will be very brief!''
Name: Debra Yvette White
Nickname: None
Neighborhood: Cavalier Forest, Churchland
Number of years in Portsmouth: 28
Birthplace: Portsmouth
Birthdate: Sept. 4, 1966
Occupation: Senior deputy city clerk
What other job than your own would you like? Second-grade school teacher
Marital status: Married to Alan
Children: Tiffani, 5, and Alexis, 3
Fondest childhood memory: Waiting on the front porch for my grandmother to come home from work so we could spend the evening together
First concert: Rick James at Frank D. Lawrence Stadium in 1979
What song or book title best describes your life? One has not been written yet
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? I would purchase Lot 17 at River Pointe and build my mother's dream house
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? My sister-in-law, Cassandra Andrews, who is a second-grade teacher at Park View Elementary, to see if teaching would be a future occupation consideration
Biggest accomplishment: A happy six-year marriage to my husband and the births of my two daughters
Most embarrassing moment: Being six months pregnant and passing out in Hess's in the housewares section on a bed
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To be able to easily forgive and forget wrong actions done toward me
Perfect way to spend the day: To be at home with family and friends watching a movie and having a nice dinner
I can't resist: Chick-Fil-A iced tea
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: My home with family
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: There is not enough positive promotion of this city by its citizens or the local media
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
Racetrack
Enthusiastic teachers, administrators and parents to promote high test scores; student morale and the morals needed to keep our young children out of trouble
Increased tax base
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? The majority of my family is located here ILLUSTRATION: Photo by PETER D. SUNDBERG
KEYWORDS: PROFILE INTERVIEW
by CNB