THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 29, 1995 TAG: 9501270771
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY IDA KAY JORDAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 171 lines
THE CITY'S NEGOTIATIONS with Eldorado Hotel and Casinos, which wants to put a riverboat gambling mecca on Portsmouth's waterfront, has thrust eight local people who are listed as local investors into the public spotlight.
The majority of the eight - seven men and one woman - are accustomed to public scrutiny. They have been involved in either public or private activities that at some time in their lives put them into the limelight.
Generally speaking, most of them are people who are open in their opinions and willing to discuss their projects with others.
When asked about the $123 million riverboat gambling proposal, which includes a hotel-convention center, the majority of the local investors were relatively quiet.
Who are these eight people who are lending their names to this endeavor?
Newspaper files and interviews produced the following information:
MICHAEL J. BLACHMAN: 50-year-old lawyer specializing in personal injury; associated with Bangel Bangel & Bangel
RESIDENCE: Woodbine
EDUCATION: American University and University of Tennessee law school
PUBLIC ACTIVITIES: Portsmouth Port and Industrial Commission and Portsmouth Industrial Development Authority, 1981-89, chairman, 1989; former president of Temple Sinai; former president of Virginia Trial Lawyers Association; chairman of the group's Political Action Committee; board member of the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, Portsmouth Partnership and Maryview Medical Center
Active in Democratic politics and the Portsmouth Committee, which has been influential in electing mayors and council members, including Mayor Gloria Webb, councilmen Jim Hawks, Ward Robinett and Jim Martin.
COMMENT: Declined comment on proposal by riverboat gambling interests.
``As long as the city is negotiating on the proposal, I don't feel it is proper for me to comment on it.''
JOHN W. FAILES: 49-year-old accountant; managing partner of Failes & Associates, the third-largest accounting firm in the state; offices in Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Smithfield and Virginia Beach
RESIDENCE: Glensheallah
EDUCATION: Virginia Tech
PUBLIC ACTIVITIES: Board member of Princess Anne Bank; former president of the Girls Club of Portsmouth.
COMMENT: Said he is ``not a strong proponent'' of riverboat gambling. ``But I think it's coming. And, if it's approved, I'd like to see Portsmouth get part of the action. Others are prepared to move ahead, and I want us to be.''
HARVEY N. JOHNSON JR.: 78-year-old president of National Institute for Minority Economic Advancement Inc.; former teacher and administrator at Norfolk State University; former executive director of Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project (STOP) Inc.
RESIDENCE: Prentis Park
EDUCATION: Virginia Union; master's in public administration from New York University; additional graduate studies at Harvard and George Washington universities
PUBLIC ACTIVITIES: Former member of city Planning Commission and a Democratic Party leader in Virginia; since 1989, Johnson has been creator and leading force for the Galaxy project, a plan to develop a two-level mini-mall in the Effingham Corridor for the promotion of black entrepreneurship
COMMENT: Declined comment on involvement in riverboat gambling group. ``I am preparing a position paper on the matter,'' he said. ``I will release it to the newspapers.''
FRED F. MATHEWS JR.: 59-year-old president of Tower Auto Mall on Airline Boulevard; a director of Virginia Automobile Dealers Association; past president of Hampton Roads Automobile Dealers Association
RESIDENCE: Cypress Cove
COMMENT: Was out of town last week; could not be contacted
JOHNNY E. MORRISON: 42-year-old Circuit Court judge; former commonwealth's attorney for Portsmouth
RESIDENCE: Midfield
EDUCATION: Washington and Lee University
PUBLIC ACTIVITIES: member of Judicature Society, state and local bar associations, Eureka Club and Ebenezer Baptist Church; former president of Central Civic Forum; former member of Democratic Committee, Virginia Black Caucus, and city's Citizens Advisory Board; former board member of Effingham Street Branch YMCA, United Way, Wesley Community Center, and PARC Place Shelter Committee
COMMENT: Declined comment on proposal by riverboat gambling interests.
MARLENE RANDALL: 60-year-old retired educator; former teacher and principal; retired last year as facilities coordinator for Portsmouth Public Schools
RESIDENCE: Cavalier Manor
EDUCATION: Virginia State University and Columbia University
PUBLIC ACTIVITIES: Includes volunteer work with the American Red Cross and her church's Community in Action group.
COMMENT: Was out of town last week; could not be contacted
MORTON V. ``Mo'' WHITLOW: 47-year-old lawyer
RESIDENCE: Glensheallah
EDUCATION: University of Richmond and T.C. Williams Law School
PUBLIC ACTIVITIES: City councilman 1980-86; School Board member 1978-80; lost bid for Democratic nomination to House of Delegates 1983; Seawall Festival chairman, 1988 and 1889; founder of Cock Island Race and chairman from 1988 to 1993; PortsEvents board president 1991; Portsmouth's First Citizen 1992; was chairman of Sports Authority of Hampton Roads, which helped finance proposed horse racing tracks in Portsmouth and Virginia Beach; currently Olde Towne Portsmouth Association president, Portsmouth Partnership board member and ex-officio board member of the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce
COMMENT: ``I'm anxious to talk to the press about riverboats but the city has asked that the process remain confidential,'' he said. ``I'm chomping at the bit to talk about it because I think it's worthwhile for the city.''
GLENN A. YATES JR.: 67-year-old architect; designed plan for a complex of building and grounds proposed by Eldorado group. Said he tried to do ``a world-class design to fit the historic vernacular.''
RESIDENCE: Olde Towne
EDUCATION: University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, College of William and Mary - Norfolk Division
PUBLIC ACTIVITIES: As volunteer with Portsmouth Community Development Corp., has been doing a streetscape plan for Prentis Place; president of Hampton Roads Affordable Housing, a non-profit agency based in Portsmouth; member of Tidewater Artists Association; one of six local architects working with committee of residents to meld Olde Towne and Downtown together and to salvage the 600 block of London Blvd. as a gateway to the area; General Assembly member 1965 to 1971; past president of Olde Towne Association, Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce and the regional AIA chapter; served on many local boards including the architectural review group for Olde Towne, Cradock and Truxtun and Board of Zoning Appeals
COMMENT: Riverboat gambling ``may not be a panacea. But it's more than we've got . . . I feel a $123 million development is good for the city.'' ILLUSTRATION: FILE PHOTO
The investors are betting that a floating gambling casino, like this
one at Biloxi, Miss., will enhance the city's finances and their own
as well.
Photos
Michael J. Blachman
Lawyer
John W. Failes
Accountant
Harvey N. Johnson Jr.
President of NIMEA
Johnny E. Morrison
Circuit Court judge
Marlene Randall
Retired educator
Morton V. ``Mo'' Whitlow
Lawyer
Glenn A. Yates Jr.
Architect
Photo
When asked about the $123 million riverboat gambling proposal, which
includes a hotel-convention center, the majority of the local
investors were relatively quiet.
KEYWORDS: RIVERBOAT GAMBLING
by CNB