THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 21, 1994 TAG: 9410210646
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAREN WEINTRAUB, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Councilman John D. Moss will not serve out his term on City Council, but he won't say when he's going.
``Do I know exactly when I'm leaving? Yes,'' Moss said. ``Am I going to tell people when that is? Since it's not on the near horizon, I see no reason to.''
Moss' position with the Navy, as director for Manpower, Information and Resource Management, will be moved to Memphis, Tenn., some time six to 12 months from now, he said. Although he wants to reserve the right to change his mind, Moss said he plans to move with the job.
``It's a really good job and I really like it,'' he said.
Moss, an outspoken council member known for his anti-growth positions, fiscal conservatism and opposition to sand for Sandbridge, was first elected in 1986. He was swept out with other incumbents in 1990, several months after the Greekfest riots at the Oceanfront, and was re-elected in 1992.
Moss said he will not serve out his term, which expires June 30, 1996.
Rumors have been circulating for months that Moss was on the way out. A handful of names have been tossed out as possible replacements, although several council members, who would not name the likely candidates, say no one has emerged as a clear choice.
According to City Clerk Ruth Hodges Smith, the council would have to choose a successor to serve out the remainder of Moss' term within 60 days of his departure. If Moss is still on the council when the vote is taken, he would have a voice in that succession.
Several council members, who almost always disagree with Moss, made no secret of their pleasure at seeing him leave.
``It would be nice to get someone perhaps I could work along with better,'' Vice Mayor W.D. Sessoms Jr. said. ``I hate to see it when anyone's livelihood is placed in jeopardy or one is forced to leave the city one has grown up in and has all their family . . . (but) obviously the thought (of his departure) is pretty neat to me.''
Moss leads a voting block of three council members; Nancy K. Parker and Robert K. Dean who often vote with him. Moss also considers Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf and Councilwoman Barbara M. Henley as friends.
Because that group does not make up a majority of council, however, a candidate who is like Moss is not likely to be appointed to his seat. Moss said several people have asked for his endorsement.
``If you want to get my place, the last thing you would want is my endorsement,'' Moss said. ``You'll get four votes, but not the other six.''
Sessoms said he sees a similar political reality.
``The first person who comes up with six votes, that person is going to get on council.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
John D. Moss
by CNB