THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 31, 1995 TAG: 9512290291
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
Chesapeake could be in for more water problems, more disgruntled citizens and another government scandal in 1996.
At the request of The Clipper, Marvin Wilkerson, an astrologer and psychic by profession, consulted the Zodiac for information on Chesapeake's future.
By comparing the positions of the planets on Jan. 1, 1963, the moment at which the city was officially born, to the position of the stars and planets today, Wilkerson was able to predict what might be in store for the municipality in the coming year.
At the top of his predictions for 1996 are more water problems.
``In February or March, there will be a big issue over water,'' Wilkerson said. ``It could be a water quality problem or an issue surrounding water, like erosion. Or it could just be that the city will want to get serious about Chesapeake water problems and do something about it.''
During the summer and fall of 1995, high sodium and chloride content in some city water caused it to taste bad and created health concerns for some citizens.
The good news, said Wilkerson, is that the water issue will give the city the opportunity to reach out to the public and make amends.
The stars show that ``the city government is concerned about the people and wants to do the right thing,'' said Wilkerson.
While Wilkerson believes water will be a dominant issue during the first few months, Clarence V. Cuffee, interim city manager, predicts that a solution to the city's water problems may be found.
``I see us moving ahead full steam to resolve the city's water problems,'' he said. ``I don't see that as coming back as a strong problem just an ongoing issue that we are tackling.''
Wilkerson also said that 1996 could prove jolting to city officials as they will be forced to deal with disgruntled Chesapeake residents.
``The biggest problem the city will have throughout the year is the propensity to enforce its views instead of selling its views to the people,'' said Wilkerson. ``The city will have to find a new way to deal with the people or they will most assuredly face rebellion from the public.''
Government officials like Cuffee agree that relations could be better.
``In government there's always room for improvement,'' said Cuffee.
The best way to improve communication, according to Wilkerson's reading of the Zodiac, is to form a true partnership between government and the people.
``Right now, the citizens of Chesapeake are ready to listen and work with the city,'' Wilkerson said. ``Anyone who resigns or is forced out of office will leave because that person was taking a hard line and trying to do business by the `good old boy' rules. That's not going to work anymore.''
Wilkerson added that current public perception of city government is much lower than officials think.
``Right now the city thinks it's just rolling along, but the public is not happy,'' he said.
What Wilkerson believes might make the difference in 1996 is strong citizen involvement.
``The city will not be able to expand as far as they'd like unless the public approves,'' he said.
But others don't agree with Wilkerson's thoughts on the public's commitment.
``I guess I'm really skeptical that the average citizen is going to get involved,'' said William H. ``Bill'' Pierce, the defeated independent candidate from November's city council election. ``About 10 percent of the people run the government, the other 90 percent just complain about it.''
As evidence of what he said, Pierce cited the recent school board election in which only 10 percent of registered voters participated.
Another issue Wilkerson said will be important to Chesapeake this year is city identity.
``The city will want to become bigger and more prestigious among other Hampton Roads communities like Norfolk and Virginia Beach. In the past, Chesapeake has suffered from an ego problem. Now they will want to change that.''
Although Wilkerson agrees with city business leaders that Chesapeake can't help but grow in 1996, he added that economic success in the coming year and near future will hinge on the city's ability to cooperate with outside forces, such as other municipalities.
``The city will have to overcome its deep, suspicious nature of all relationships,'' said Wilkerson.
Remember the Arthur L. Dwyer scandal of 1995? Well, '96 could prove just as scandalous for a member or members of city government.
``Some authority figure or figures could be bound up in a legal struggle this year,'' said Wilkerson. ``And it could end up in the hands of some authority or legal ruling body.''
But Wilkerson pointed out that although 1996 could prove volatile for the city, the Zodiac points out that as long as officials make the right choices and reach out to the public, the upcoming year could prove quite successful.
``Partnerships and cooperation will be the theme this year. Chesapeake will need outside forces to help it accomplish what it wants,'' he predicted.Chesapeake could be in for more water problems, more disgruntled citizens and another government scandal in 1996. MEMO: Staff writers Susan Smith and Elizabeth Thiel contributed to this
story.
[For a related story see: THE YEAR AHEAD, also on page 10 of The Clipper
for this date.]
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
Marvin Wilkerson, an astrologer and psychic by profession, consulted
the Zodiac for information on Chesapeake's future.
by CNB