THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 9, 1995 TAG: 9510090054
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PERRY PARKS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
In 1993, after two terms on the City Council, Zack D. Robertson Jr. decided he was tired.
After a notable tenure as a 2nd Ward representative, Robertson's attitude was, ``I've done my job, and now it's time for me to go.''
So he left, paving the way for now-Councilwoman Anita Hummer to join council veteran W.L. ``Pete'' Hooker in the Ward 2 contingency.
Now, two years later, it's Hooker's turn to step down, saying he's ``burned out.'' But Robertson's burn-out has proved short-lived; the political bug has bitten him again.
``We have a tendency to forget all the bad,'' Robertson, 60, says with a smile. ``Maybe I have forgotten. But it's coming back fast.''
With the experienced Hooker and the financially savvy David P. Bosomworth leaving the board, Robertson says the council will be hurting for someone with the know-how to get them through the next few years.
``I think I have the experience to get in there and be one of the leaders,'' says Robertson, a businessman and developer. ``Experience counts in this election. It's going to be very important that we have somebody in there that can make financial decisions.
``It's going to be some hard, tough decisions made within the next four years. I know that.''
Roberston applauds the current council for trying to cut back on city staff and build up the reserve fund. But he wants to make sure spending choices are the best that can be made.
The former councilman is viewing with a cautious eye the city's range of capital projects - which include a $21 million water-sewer overhaul, the purchase and renovation of a downtown bank office for a city administrative building and the pursuit of a new fire station.
``I think raising the water-sewer rates was good, but I want to see to it the money is being spent wisely,'' Robertson says. ``I look at it, and I don't know where the money's coming from to buy the BB&T building. Maybe they have it; I just don't know where it is.''
Robertson says he would spend more energy lobbying the city's representatives in Congress on issues like beefing up the Coast Guard presence and weeding through state and federal regulations.
Big issues for Robertson include building up the city's capital reserve fund. And he says he's not crazy about federal and state block grants, ``but if you're going to give 'em out, I certainly want my share in Elizabeth City.''
Robertson, the better-known candidate in this race, has canvassed the ward in door-to-door work, a job he says was tiring but necessary.
``If we have a small turnout, I'm in trouble,'' Robertson says. ``I'm running scared. I have a concern because I'm running against an opponent who's working hard, and she's doing a good job.''
He says he has spent about $725 on the campaign and has turned down donations.
The main reason Robertson is running, he says, is because he wants to repay the town that has made him successful.
``I honestly appreciate what Elizabeth City has done for me,'' says Robertson, who's married with four daughters. ``I want to give back. When I leave here, I want to leave it in better shape than it was when I came.
``That's the only reason that I have.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Robertson
KEYWORDS: ELIZABETH CITY CITY COUNCIL RACE ELECTION PROFILE CANDIDATE
by CNB