THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 10, 1996 TAG: 9603090156
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Cover Story: May 7 Election
LENGTH: Long : 106 lines
Miguel J. Arsuaga
Age: 51
Address: 500 block of Surfside Ave. (Croatan Beach)
Occupation: Retired from Navy
Previous elected post: none
Why did you decide to run? I have entertained the thought before.
With everything that's happened here, I figured this would be the
best chance I would have to break into the political field. I'm
particularly good with budgets, good with physical plans. I felt the
calling.
What can you contribute? I believe that there's too much
bureaucracy and I'd like to take a lot of that away and put it
toward school books, teachers and staff, not more flag poles that
don't work. I'd like to re-acquaint folks with the word
accountability.
Children in school? A daughter in 10th grade at First Colonial
High.
Ben A. Krause
Age: 53
Address: 1400 block of Five Hill Trail (Sea Breeze Farms)
Occupation: Investment executive
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? I have the financial and management
expertise and the dedication necessary to turn the School Board
around and get it on the right track and concentrate on what is
important: educating our children.
What can you contribute? I have good financial management
experience, I have personnel management experience, I know quite a
bit about auditing, quite a bit about purchasing. I have taught. I
was an assistant administrator at a military school. I know
something about construction.
Children in school? One, a freshman at First Colonial High. Two
others graduated from First Colonial.
Nancy Dahlman Guy
Age: 38
Address: 2400 block of Haversham Close (Chelsea)
Occupation: Former attorney
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running?: If we can have citizens step forward to
provide competent, responsible leadership, we can restore the
confidence of the professionals who have kept the district running
and of the community. My fear is that people will use this for
sweeping reform. I feel very strongly that Virginia Beach is still
a very fine school system.
What can you contribute? With my legal experience, especially in
litigation, I have a lot of experience in reviewing information,
asking tough questions and analyzing the credibility of the answers.
I'd hopefully provide the strict oversight and fiduciary
responsibility that was called for by the members of the grand
jury.
Children in school? Two kids at John B. Dey Elementary.
Ann E. Cramer-Burniske
Age: 37
Occupation: homemaker
Address: 1100 block of S. Bayshore Drive (Bay Colony)
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? . . . I have always been active in politics
and I really enjoy analyzing public policy. We're going to have to
be making decisions in terms of classroom size and curriculum. I am
very comfortable and very much interested in those types of issues.
What can you contribute? I can certainly contribute my time and
my energies. Whatever I have worked on in the past, I have been very
committed toward and responsible toward. I served as a legislative
aide for three years and have worked in a number of political
campaigns, so I'm comfortable in the public policy arena. I would be
good at looking at a spectrum of issues and looking at the pros and
cons of things. . . .
Children in school? One at home, one at Linkhorn Elementary
School.
J. Gail Cayce Schwartzer
Age: 49
Address: 1800 block of Timberwood Lane (Forest Park)
Occupation: Homemaker and school volunteer
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? Attended Virginia Beach schools. . . . I
want to bring balance to the School Board, an atmosphere of real
caring and the desire and tolerance to listen to our citizens. . . .
I've watched and worked with School Board members over the past two
years . . . and often I've felt that they don't have enough
information to ask questions. I don't mind working to get the
information.
What can you contribute? We need a vision for our schools -
long-term and short-term. We must take stock, analyze, listen and
build - cooperatively. . . . I have the ability for continuous
``reality checks'' and a first-hand knowledge of what we have, as
well as a desire to listen and find out more.
Children in school? A second-grader at Alanton Elementary.
by CNB