THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 28, 1995 TAG: 9509270189
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
A protest Tuesday in front of City Hall may have started with a memo.
City Attorney C. Edward Roettger Jr. wrote to Assistant City Manager William E. Harrell that he would not work on any case involving the city's lead housing inspector, Vanessa Savage.
Housing inspections were backlogged for nine months, and the memo was leaked to civic leaders T.C. Williams and Suffolk-Nansemond NAACP President Paul C. Gillis, who asserted that the problems between Savage and Roettger were due to racism.
The City Council determined that the issue was a ``personality conflict,'' which had been resolved.
Civic leaders called a meeting last Thursday with city officials following allegations that the dispute hadn't been resolved.
``It was a rude awakening that we had to call the meeting,'' said Geraldine Diggs, who attended. ``There was nothing positive said for Ms. Savage. We support Ms. Savage and want her to get a vote of confidence.''
By Friday, the march was called by Gillis.
Mayor S. Chris Jones said the protesters just aren't happy with the city's handling of the matter. ``It was a personality conflict, not a racial one,'' said Jones.
Roettger wouldn't comment on the matter. Savage couldn't be reached for comment.
Carrying signs reading ``The City Attorney Must Go'' and ``Fairness Now. Justice Now'', the marchers walked along the sidewalk in front of City Hall. Protest topics also included a proposal to create a taxing district in northern Suffolk and lack of full-time status for city bus drivers.
Leroy Andrews, a retired civil service worker who also once drove a bus, said he came out to support drivers who weren't getting full time benefits.
``I'm trying to help support some of my neighbors who have jobs but aren't being compensated. They're afraid, they can't speak out,'' said Andrews.
City Councilman Richard R. Harris and Roettger tried to attend the NAACP meeting. They were rebuffed.
Roettger insists that he would join as a private citizen, and not in the capacity as a city official.
``I was invited by a member to come to the meeting,'' Roettger said. ``I believe very strongly in the purposes of that organization and its benefits to housing.''
Protestor Bill Beamon said he was disturbed about city plans to tear down two of his businesses on East Washington Street to make way for courthouse parking. by CNB