THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 26, 1995 TAG: 9507260369
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALEX MARSHALL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Things got hot inside City Hall on Tuesday night after Councilman Paul R. Riddick accused City Manager James B. Oliver and his administration of ignoring the city's black community.
Riddick's pointed speech, which eventually prompted another councilman to leave the meeting, came just minutes before the meeting ended and the council began its annual three-week vacation.
``This administration has neglected 40 percent of the city's population,'' said Riddick, looking at Oliver at the other end of the curved council dais. ``If this administration is not sensitive, then I and the black community will find ways to make you sensitive.''
What prompted Riddick to speak was the question concerning the type of development that should occur at the Marshall Manor site - 14 acres near Roberts Park that were formerly occupied by deteriorated housing. Riddick favors developing upper-income housing for blacks, but he said others want to use it as an industrial site. The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority recently bought the property for $1.3 million.
Riddick's outburst came during the time called ``council concerns'' when each of the seven council members may speak on any subject.
After Riddick spoke, Councilman Mason C. Andrews, who was next in line, sat silent for almost a minute. Finally, Andrews said in a low voice that he would not speak but that his silence should not be interpreted as agreement with Riddick.
Then came Councilman G. Conoly Phillips.
``To make a general statement that this administration ignores the city's black population is insensitive and racist, and it offends me,'' Phillips said. ``The way you go into these tirades is very unprofitable. It divides us.''
When the round of comments came back to Riddick, he said Phillips was unable to understand the concerns of the black community.
``Maybe you need to ride somewhere other than your dealership, other than Loch Haven,'' said Riddick to Phillips, owner of G. Conoly Phillips Lincoln-Mercury on Military Highway and a resident of the Loch Haven neighborhood.
While Riddick spoke, Phillips got up and walked out of the council chambers, an action Riddick commented on as he spoke.
Afterward, City Manager Oliver declined to respond to Riddick's criticism.
Councilman Herbert Collins said that while he didn't necessarily agree with Riddick's confrontational style, ``People do things differently.''
As the councilmen gathered their papers to leave, Phillips returned to the chamber. He walked up to Riddick and shook his hand.
``We're still friends, Paul, although we'll always disagree,'' Phillips told Riddick.
But afterward, Phillips described what Riddick had said as ``ridiculous'' and ``racist.''
Phillips said he was angry that no other councilmen directly took on Riddick.
After Riddick ended his remarks to the council, Mayor Paul D. Fraim noted that the council was beginning its vacation and hinted that the council could use the time to cool down.
``I'll miss you guys, I really will,'' Fraim said.
KEYWORDS: NORFOLK CITY COUNCIL AFRICAN AMERICAN RACIST by CNB