THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 26, 1995 TAG: 9501240104
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS
SOURCE: MIKE KNEPLER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Interesting possibilities: the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations plans a regional conference of civic leagues this spring.
The council, representing 74 civic leagues in Virginia Beach, hopes to have Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim as keynote speaker.
In recent months, Fraim has been briefing Norfolk civic leagues about regional economic trends and the need for more cooperation among area cities.
But it's mostly preaching to the choir. Fraim - who also talks with politicians in other cities - has yet to test his ideas with rank-and-file citizens of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk.
Fraim's appearance at the regional conference of civic leagues isn't firmed up yet. Leslie K. Fenlon Jr., president of the council of civic organizations, planned to issue an invitation this week.
Fenlon's proposed topic for Fraim: ``Grassroots Regionalism.'' Fenlon said civic leagues want to be better informed on regional issues and learn roles they may play.
The Virginia Beach leader also hopes to promote another form of regionalism among civic leagues - the sharing of solutions to similar neighborhood problems.
So far, Fenlon has invited the Norfolk Federation of Civic Leagues and the Chesapeake Council of Civic Organizations. The meeting will be April 22 or April 29 in Virginia Beach. Call Fenlon, 481-2501.
Jumbo Jim. City Manager Jim Oliver, long an advocate of regionalism, also wants to broaden the dialogue. He has urged the Planning Commission to help promote ``the big picture'' among neighborhoods.
``Help elevate community discussions within Norfolk,'' Oliver said. ``The argument (isn't) regionalism or neighborhood, it (is): how do we do both of them? How do we put some quality time around the regionalism part of it?''
Oliver asked the commission to promote regionalism among its counterparts in neighboring cities.
The Norfolk commissioners noted they tried that last April by convening a regional conference of planning commissions.
Oliver said they should continue hosting such meetings even if other cities are not yet willing to reciprocate. ``Begin your own partnerships,'' he advised.
Theory meets politics. What happens when regional cooperation goes in ways unforeseen by Norfolk leaders like Oliver?
For example, Oliver endorses the idea of civic leagues across Hampton Roads getting together to talk regionalism and have Mayor Fraim as keynote speaker.
But while the conference has yet to take place, the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations and the Norfolk Federation of Civic Leagues already have teamed to promote a ward system for the Beach City Council.
Ward politics can make it harder for city managers to set budget priorities in an era of dwindling government resources and potentially divert attention from big-picture notions like regional cooperation.
``Small is better in some aspects of our lives. But the world has changed on us, and we really live in larger social and economic systems,'' Oliver said. ``I challenge people to debate that. And, if they agree that is true, then what do we do about it? Citizens have to wrestle with that.''
Oliver said he understands frustrations of neighborhoods that feel at odds with City Hall.
``Somehow, we have to get more meaningful participation for individuals and communities,'' he said.
Interesting possibilities.
Newsletter editors: We're still updating our collection of civic league newsletters. Please include us in your mailings. Thanks, Mike Knepler, The Compass, P.O. Box 449, Norfolk, Va. 23501. by CNB