THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 13, 1995 TAG: 9511130083
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PERRY PARKS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Mayor H. Rick Gardner says he hopes to get the City Council ``back on an even keel'' in the wake of an outburst by Councilman A.C. Robinson Jr. at a newspaper photographer.
Robinson, whose erratic attendance at city council meetings has drawn attention in the past couple of months, drew even more when he shouted at a photographer for the Elizabeth City Daily Advance who tried to take his picture last Monday night outside the council chambers.
Asked shortly after the incident to explain why he made a series of racially related remarks - including ``I may be black, but I'm not a slave'' - to the photographer, who is white, Robinson said, ``I ain't nobody's play toy'' and said he would talk about it later.
Robinson did not comment Tuesday and did not return repeated phone calls through the week.
Gardner said Thursday he regretted the incident but expected the council to leave it behind.
``Certainly, I would much prefer that a situation like that had never developed,'' Gardner said Thursday. ``I would call it an unfortunate choice of words.''
Gardner said he does not plan to raise the issue at tonight's special meeting to discuss the city's five finalists for city manager.
``I don't see council attempting to take any action with a situation like this at this point in time,'' Gardner said. ``I personally have no intention of trying to take any kind of action. . . . That's beyond the realm of our responsibility.''
Other council members reached this week were reluctant to talk at length about the altercation in the hallway or a later reported argument with a Daily Advance reporter. Most said Robinson alone would have to choose how to deal with the reaction.
``I think probably he needs to sort of clear the air or explain his side of the story,'' Councilman David P. Bosomworth said Friday. ``I think it would be helpful to hear his explanation.''
Bosomworth said that the incident ``doesn't serve to enhance the image of council,'' but added that only one side of the story has been told.
Gardner, who twice during Monday's meeting moved to calm Robinson as the councilman harshly questioned city officials, speculated that Robinson has been coming to terms with his recent retirement from Elizabeth City State University. Robinson's last day was Oct. 31.
Speaking for himself, Gardner said that retirement ``takes some adjustment. personality.''
Robinson's future on the council is up to him, outgoing Mayor Pro Tem W.L. ``Pete'' Hooker said Thursday. Hooker said that Robinson's outburst Monday should be left alone, but added that ``it's unusual for a councilman to make a statement like that to a reporter.''
If the incident is discussed in a council meeting, it will have to be in public. Open meetings law says any talk about an elected board member's performance must take place in open session.
KEYWORDS: ELIZABETH CITY CITY COUNCIL by CNB