THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 4, 1995 TAG: 9505020087
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALEX MARSHALL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
James W. ``Jay'' Sherrill Jr., a businessman and past candidate for the City Council, is running for the Virginia House of Delegates.
He hopes to win the Republican nomination and then successfully oppose Del. Thomas W. Moss Jr., a Democrat, in November.
Sherrill, 38, has long been active in city affairs. He is one of the principal organizers of the Old Dominion Merchants and Business Association and is involved with the Norfolk Federation of Business Districts, the Wards Corner Optimist Club and several other organ-iza-tions.
In running for the 88th District seat, Sherrill opposes Moss, Speaker of the House, one of the most powerful positions in the legislature. In opposing Moss, Sherrill's campaign argues that Moss' power benefits special interests more than regular neighborhoods.
``It's a matter of someone who has been there for too long and has grown out of touch with the grassroots,'' said Rick Sanford, Sherrill's campaign manager. ``That's where we'll get our support. Not from the special interests, not from the big money.''
This is the second time Sherrill has opposed a powerful incumbent. Last year, Sherrill unsuccessfully opposed Paul Fraim, now mayor, for City Council.
Sherrill owns the Old Dominion Inn. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University. The Republican nomination Sherrill seeks will be decided at a mass meeting May 20 at Granby High School.
If elected, Sherrill promises to work to reduce crime, reform welfare and improve schools. He also supports eliminating the ``BPOL,'' a tax levied by localities on businesses.
The Norfolk city government now receives millions from this tax every year and strongly opposes its elimination. City officials say real estate taxes would have to be raised substantially if the business tax were removed. Sherrill, however, says the BPOL tax ``stifles growth and destroys entrepreneurial activities.''
``I am confident that the increase in business activity created by the elimination of the BPOL will more than compensate for the revenue lost from the taxes,'' Sherrill said.
Sherrill said his philosophy of government fits well with the new Republican majority in Washington, who seek to reduce the size of government and push its duties down to lower levels of government closer to the people. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
James W. ``Jay'' Sherrill Jr.
He has long been active in city affairs
KEYWORDS: CANDIDATE HOUSE OF DELEGATES by CNB