THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512220396
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: IN THE CITIES
SOURCE: BY MIKE KNEPLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
An often-forgotten corner of Norfolk City Hall policy-making is opening to citizens.
The opening - still small and tentative - comes as the City Council formulates its annual legislative goals.
As in other South Hampton Roads cities, Norfolk City Hall assigns staff to draft legislative goals for discussion with the City Council and area legislators.
Unlike its neighbors, Norfolk does not involve citizens in making this wish list. There are no hearings, council-sponsored forums or even public votes. ``We've always done it this way in Norfolk,'' said Mayor Paul D. Fraim.
That's now changing.
When told that other cities hold hearings and some mayors discuss legislative agendas on local-government cable TV, Fraim mailed Norfolk's package to presidents of 126 civic and business groups.
``We're going to try to put together a summary for the council from what we hear,'' he said. ``If the council would like to expand on the legislative agenda . . . then we will have time to do that.''
There may be more changes next fall, he added.
Does it make a difference if city councils consult citizens about legislative goals? Even when hearings are held, citizens are not fully satisfied.
``I feel the legislative packages come from the bureaucracy rather than elected officials,'' said Lou Pace, a frequent critic of the Virginia Beach council. ``The bureaucracy cares about the bureaucracy, not the citizens.''
Few citizens attend the hearings. The city lists often concern funding, education or pet development and cultural projects or relate to laws governing municipal employees.
And council members in all cities say that public hearings do not necessarily give an accurate sampling of opinions. They can be orchestrated by special-interest groups.
But if cities want to narrow real or perceived gaps with citizens, then public hearings on legislative goals can help.
City councils can learn more of citizen priorities. ``It opens another line of communication,'' said Tommy White, president of the Norfolk Federation of Civic Leagues.
It can educate about the workings of local and state governments, leading to more partnerships and creating solutions that don't depend on state or federal resources.
It can help change perceptions that government wants citizen participation only for efforts such as neighborhood block watches and beautification campaigns or when trying to cut municipal services.
Citizens, who often can't compete with paid lobbyists at the state capitol, may find an effective ally in local government. Each city assigns a staff person to monitor and lobby the General Assembly.
Citizens can find common ground, maybe help reverse society's trend of splintering into many special-interest groups.
It can add broad-based authenticity to legislative goals, helping city councils gain more clout with the General Assembly, said Suffolk Mayor S. Chris Jones and Portsmouth Mayor Gloria O. Webb.
Some legislators and mayors disagree. The General Assembly, they say, assumes that city councils usually know best for their cities, based on day-to-day communication with the public.
But Ulysses Turner, chairman of Norfolk's School Board, vouches for involving citizens. For two years, joint forums held by the Norfolk and Portsmouth school boards have included PTA presidents.
``I find each legislator more responsive now than before. They come to us prepared to answer our questions,'' Turner said.
While some legislators prefer hearing directly from citizens, some join councils in hosting public forums. Chesapeake Mayor William Ward and state Sen. Mark Earley hope to revive this practice.
Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf added: ``Our legislators want to know where the public stands on these issues, so we go out and seek advice.''
There's another possible benefit when local governments welcome public dialogue on legislative issues. That's the nurturing of civility often lost at the national level.
``If you want to look for models of rational civil discourse, look to the local level,'' said Chris Gates, president of the Denver-based National Civic League. ``The communities are leading the way.'' by CNB