THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 30, 1994 TAG: 9410290047
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
I am one of the members of the Council of Civic Organizations who, ``since the election have disagreed with the CCO position on the balanced district system,'' as CCO President Les Fenlon put it (letter, Beacon, Oct. 14). However, I disagreed prior to the election as well.
I have not questioned the ``political activities'' of the CCO during the reapportionment referendum proc-ess, as Mr. Fenlon stated. I have always questioned the ``partisan activities'' because the CCO Constitution states as an objective ``to avoid at all times any partisan, political or religious position.''
The actions of the leadership of the CCO following the success of the petition drive were definitely partisan. I also strenuously object to the paid political ads that the CCO co-sponsored in the Beacon prior to the May election, since those ads espoused a partisan position on this issue.
The CCO was not originally intended to be a political-action committee, but that appears to be the direction the leadership is taking it. With this referendum issue behind us, CCO member or-gan-i-za-tions need to pull together to determine the future of the CCO and separate it from the Citizens Action Coalition Inc., or CACI, a PAC. Each organization, individually, has a role to play in working toward the betterment of our city, but they must do it as the two organizations that they are.
Judith K. Connors
Ocean Park
On Oct. 14 the Beacon published a letter by Mr. James F. Willenbrink and Henry K. Dean complaining that some board members of the Council of Civic Organizations were also officers of a ``small confirmed political action group, the Citizens Action Coalition Inc.'' They further stated that this relationship ``is undesirable at best, and is outrageous to many of us. Beacon readers are entitled to know what the coalition is and what it stands for.
The coalition was founded 10 years ago to speak and act for ordinary people, people who have little or no voice in how Virginia Beach is run. The coalition aims to monitor city government, keep the public informed and lobby for its best interest at public hearings and through other contacts with city officials.
Toward these ends, the coalition has a newsletter, The Monitor. A unique feature is the Monitor's ``tote board,'' which tracks over time a Council member's voting rec-ord on controversial issues, which is seldom disclosed by the local media.
The coalition has a political arm, the Citizen's Political Action Committee (PAC) of Virginia Beach. The PAC converts coalition ideals into political action. For example, during the 1994 councilmanic election, the PAC supported those candidates who it judged would be most committed to specific issues, including promoting safer schools and streets; curbing domestic violence and child abuse; protecting citizens from escalating taxes and fees; keeping NAS Oceana open; giving priority to educational investments that best improve student achievement; and supporting the public's referendum on the balanced district system.
The coalition will keep giving such matters its attention.
In summary, the Citizens Action Coalition is driven by the principle that responsible government depends on a well-informed and politically active electorate. That is why the coalition strongly encourages citizens to develop an awareness of city affairs, to participate in city activities and to exercise their most precious right and get out and vote.
Al Strazzullo, President,
Citizen's Action Coalition Inc. ILLUSTRATION: Staff graphic by STEVE STONE
WHO'S WHO IN CCO, CACI
CCO OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
CACI OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
For copy of graphic, see microfilm
by CNB