THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 19, 1995 TAG: 9504190421
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANCIE LATOUR, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
Republicans on the City Council brushed aside a plea by their Democratic and independent colleagues for more deliberation and appointed one of their own to take the seat of Arthur L. Dwyer, who resigned on Friday amid allegations of abuse of power.
With five of the council's eight seats, the Republicans appointed Dalton S. Edge, a member of the GOP-backed ``Leadership Team'' slate in last May's election.
Edge, 47, a farmer and businessman, was not in the chambers. He finished out of the running by 28 votes in the May election and will serve until the Nov. 11 special election for a replacement. He is president of the Chesapeake Farm Bureau and active in the Hickory Ruritans Club.
Independent Alan P. Krasnoff had argued that the council take nominations, and review resumes and recommendations, the way it did with School Board appointments.
``Should we not take greater care when it comes to the selection of a council member?'' Krasnoff asked.
Krasnoff argued that the council was ``at an ethical crossroads'' and said it was a ``time for caution and care.''
But when the Republicans ignored his pleas, Krasnoff stormed out of the council chambers and did not vote.
Democrat John W. Butt had nominated Dwight Parker, who lost to Dwyer last May by just 47 votes.
Mayor William E. Ward, who had also asked that no appointment be made hastily, called Parker to the podium and interviewed him for the job.
The mayor had opened the meeting by calling for a formal vote to accept Dwyer's resignation.
Republican W. Joe Newman characterized the interview as a back-room deal made between the mayor and Parker and said it was an embarrassment to the council and the citizens of Chesapeake.
Butt accused Republicans of excluding Democrats from the appointment process and of taking their marching orders from a powerful state official, Republican Del. J. Randy Forbes. Last Friday, Forbes had pointed to Edge as an ideal candidate for the council.
Councilman John M. de Triquet called Butt's comments ``self-serving,'' ``unconscionable,'' ``offensive'' and ``transparently false.''
Campaigning last year, Edge stressed his experience as a farmer and small businessman. He said it would give him insight into city budgets and economic development.
He campaigned for managed growth, larger lots and against urban sprawl.
While he was running, Edge said the Republican Party should be seen as inclusive: ``The measure of success of any community . . . is the ability to care for the weaker sector of the population, our elderly, our children and our handicapped. These people need our support.''
Parker, 45, was part of the Democrats' ``Chesapeake First'' slate for City Council last year. He lost to Dwyer for the two-year term left vacant by Lionell Spruill's election to the House of Delegates.
He is a social studies teacher at Deep Creek High School, with a degree from Norfolk State University.
Parker's campaign last year was heavily pro-education, urging more vocational programs in the schools and efforts to reduce crowding. Parker also supported raising teachers' salaries.
A former chairman of the Democratic city committee, Parker also has been active in the Chesapeake Education Association, the Chesapeake Juvenile Detention Advisory Board, and the Chesapeake Services System.
Republicans called the Democratic requests for a deliberative interview process ``squirming,'' ``wriggling,'' ``hand-wringing'' and ``carrying on.''
``What this council is doing is what we have been elected to do,'' said de Triquet. ``We are the majority and we have been elected to carry out the will of the majority . . . It's the American way; it's the democratic way.''
While Democrats and Republicans repeatedly told each other to put partisanship aside, the divisions between the two camps were more apparent than ever.
Councilman Robert T. Nance said it was imperative for the city to move forward. ``We have 21 days to approve a $400 million operating budget,'' he said. ``Let's get a vote. Let's get it over with so we can move on.''
When Krasnoff stormed out of the meeting, Nance tried to have the mayor order him back into the session.
The vote was along party lines. Voting for Edge were the five Republicans: Nance, John E. Allen, de Triquet; Peter P. Duda Jr. and Newman.
Voting for Parker were Democrats Ward and Butt.
Mayor Ward said that one council member had told him at a work session on Monday: ``Why are you holding the process up, Mayor. You know no one is going to appoint any blacks anyway.'' Parker is black.
Later on, Ward tried to temper the partisan bitterness. ``Let's not reduce this to any lower of a level than it already is,'' he said. ``We could retort all night, and it could only get worse.''
The council voted to hold a special session on Thursday at 6 p.m. before the budget work session, to pick a new vice mayor. They want Edge to be present for the vote.
Dwyer stepped down Friday amid charges that he had misused his position to obtain city insurance benefits for the husband of a woman with whom he had a personal relationship.
KEYWORDS: APPOINTMENT CHESAPEAKE CITY COUNCIL by CNB