THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 2, 1995 TAG: 9501310082
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS
SOURCE: MIKE KNEPLER
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Whether it's promoting regionalism, closing down restaurants or boosting sales for cat litter, Paul Fraim is a mayor in demand.
A sampling:
Fraim, who tells many Norfolk civic leagues about the importance of regional cooperation, has agreed to be keynote speaker for a regional conference of civic leagues.
``I'm willing to take almost any opportunity to speak about regionalism,'' Fraim said.
The Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations will host the conference on ``grassroots regionalism,'' April 22, in the Virginia Beach Central Library.
Hunger pains. When it comes to speaking to civic leagues, Fraim doesn't let much get in his way - even if it means closing down a few restaurants.
. . . Especially when he gets together with the Lakewood Civic League, where he has been the keynote speaker at five consecutive annual meetings.
On Jan. 19, Fraim reminded Lakewood of this lethal combination.
``This is the fifth year in a row you've had to meet in a different place. It's the truth,'' he said. ``Every place you've been, something terrible has happened to them within a year. I mean, literally, four or five places have gone under.''
The list of defunct eateries speaks for itself: Lewis' Seafood Restaurant, Sam Kody's and the 53rd Street Cafe.
Last year, Fraim addressed the Lakewood league at the Jewish Mother on Colley Avenue. Since then, the restaurant has struggled to stay open.
Nevertheless, Fraim told the Lakewood league, ``You're the best group I ever talk to over the course of the year.''
Where did Fraim get together with Lakewood this year? The Norfolk Yacht & Country Club.
For the sake of Norfolk's fine dining establishment restaurants, let's hope Fraim succeeds at going more regional. Can anyone point Fraim and the Lakewooders toward a good restaurant in the suburbs?
Sandman. Being mayor certainly has its burdens. Some you actually can weigh, like the 120 pounds of cat litter that Fraim rushed to buy a couple of weekends ago.
(Don't worry, the mayor hasn't usurped City Manager Jim Oliver's role of abating stray cats. We're only talking cat litter here.)
This is what happened, in the mayor's own words:
``My daughters were playing in a basketball game at Holy Trinity. It's a very old gymnasium, and when it's warm, the floor perspires. The word from the janitor was that if you bring enough cat litter we could kind of get the floor ready to play. So we bought 120 pounds worth.
``It was neat checking out of the store. The cashier said, `Just how many cats do you have?' Of course, my little girls just ran the other way.
``Then the cashier said, `Well, the next time you come to buy cat litter, call us in advance. We'll have it ready.' It was 12 ten-pound bags. We cleaned them out.''
Office hours. If Mayor Fraim doesn't have enough to do, he wants to satisfy even more citizens.
Starting Feb. 7, Fraim will hold open-door meetings with individuals and small groups, 5-7 p.m. every Tuesday in his City Hall office.
He promises up to 10 minutes with any Norfolk resident. Appointments can be made through the city clerk's office, 441-2831.
Newsletter editors: Help us stay informed about your civic league. Please continue to include us in your mailings. Thanks again, Mike Knepler, The Compass, P.O. Box 449, Norfolk, Va. 23501. by CNB