THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 20, 1994 TAG: 9410180126
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: Vicki Lewis
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
As president of the West Ghent Civic League, Clyde Benton has brought together a core group of people to work together for its neighborhood.
``It's really a team effort,'' said Benton, president of the organization for five years.
Benton said he finds great satisfaction in ``working with a group of citizens with a goal and fulfilling that goal against strong odds.'' One of the organization's goals was getting the West Ghent Bypass shelved. The bypass would have rerouted Hampton Boulevard traffic through Benton's neighborhood of tree-lined streets and stately homes.
Name: Henry Clyde Benton Jr.
Nickname: Clyde.
What brought you to Norfolk: The Investment Corporation of Virginia (now Scott & Stringfellow).
Birthplace: Washington, N.C.
Occupation: Between assignments.
Marital status: Married.
Children: Two daughters.
Last book read: ``The Third Millennium'' by Paul Meier, M.D.
Favorite movie: ``No Way Out'' - Kevin Costner was Yorgi!
Favorite magazine: ``Carolina Blue.''
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Any black person who works in a white environment. So I might truly understand discrimination and racism.
Biggest accomplishment: Working with a core group of concerned citizens in my neighborhood where our synergy overcame the ``you can't fight City Hall syndrome,'' where we learned to try win or lose.
Most embarrassing moment: No comment.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would like to be a better listener.
Perfect way to spend the day: Rise early and work out, work in my yard during morning or midday, then going to the beach to paint, walk and finish a great bottle of Chardonnay.
Favorite vacation spot: Aspen, Colo. - Vail has bowls but Aspen has ambience.
Pet peeve: ``Potomac or Elizabeth River Fever.'' Our government officials forgetting that they are civil servants accountable to constituents.
First job: At 14, I was a stock room boy at Eagles 5 & 10 Store.
Worst job: Equipment leasing limited partnerships - there was no way to determine real residence value, so the company came up with estimates that usually did not match the market values - but looked all right for marketing purposes.
Hobbies: Painting with watercolors, working out, computers.
Favorite restaurant: Diminico's, Monterey, Calif. (overlooking Monterey Bay).
What do you like most about Norfolk? The advantages of a large city, i.e., regional theater, universities, opera, symphony, within the confines of a small town (any time you can get to the airport or across town in 20 minutes, it's a small town).
What do you like least about Norfolk? Obviously there are exceptions, but generally the thinking of protecting and keeping our talents to ourselves rather than sharing and expanding those resources to embrace even larger rewards. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB