THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 6, 1996 TAG: 9603060610
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALEX MARSHALL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Following up on their pledge to unite the black community and keep Superward 7 in the hands of an African American, Councilmen Paul R. Riddick and Herbert M. Collins presented their preferred candidate Tuesday.
Riddick and Collins said that William E. Swindell Jr., a longtime activist and STOP employee, was the man to defeat a strong white candidate whom they consider an interloper, and another black candidate whom Riddick and Collins claimed has received too much money in previous election attempts by establishment business interests.
Last week, the council's three black members, Collins, Riddick and the Rev. Joseph N. Green Jr., said whites should not run for the seat because the district was designed for African Americans.
They criticized the decision to run by Horace. T. ``Tommy'' White, president of the Norfolk Federation of Civic Leagues, whom they say is seeking to capitalize on a crowded field that will divide the black vote.
Tuesday, Collins and Riddick repeated their reservations and also dismissed the candidacy of Daun S. Hester, an assistant school principal whose candidacy in past council races was well-financed. The councilmen say Hester received too much money from establishment business interests to be considered the true representative of the black community.
Green, who holds the seat but is retiring from the council, was not present Tuesday at Swindell's announcement.
In his speech at the United House of Prayer on Church Street, Swindell said he would keep Ward 7 from being ``bought, sold or stolen.''
He also sharply criticized City Manager James B. Oliver and suggested that, if elected, he would seek to fire Oliver.
Swindell said he would work for a partnership between citizens and city government that would reduce crime, increase employment and improve housing.
Swindell, 47, was a plaintiff in the successful lawsuit that resulted in the creation of the black-majority Superward 7 district.
Swindell also worked to establish single-member voting districts in the General Assembly, and in the petition drive against Nauticus and Harbor Park. election Norfolk Norfolk city councilmanic race candidates by CNB