THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 10, 1996 TAG: 9603090255
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Cover Story: May 7 Election
LENGTH: Long : 113 lines
Charles ``Don'' Clark
Age: 59
Address: 4400 block of Paul Jones Lane (Pembroke Manor)
Occupation: owns Clark Realty Services, a residential real estate
appraisal firm
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? He has an interest in contributing to the
city which provides him a good living; and as a real estate educator
he has an interest in teaching and education.
What can you contribute? The ability to analyze and comprehend
complex problems and situations as well as a good eye to spot things
that need improvement.
Children in school? Four children, all graduates of Princess Anne
High School.
George T. Coker
Age: 53
Address: 1700 block of Valhalla Arch (Linkhorn Cove)
Occupation: Computer analyst with the Development Group at Fleet
Training Combat Center at Dam Neck
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? Coker, a retired Navy flight officer and
former Vietnam POW, feels he has the financial background and
grassroots contacts to provide a balanced look at school
operations.
What can you contribute? ``My strong point is my contact with the
civic leagues and I feel that I can help build consensus,'' Coker
says.
Children in school? Three children, two currently enrolled in
Beach schools; one in college, graduated from a Beach high school.
Kathleen Damon
Age: 40
Address: 2200 block Greenwell Road (Chesapeake Beach)
Occupation: Restaurant manager
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? She believes it's every citizen's duty to be
involved and aware.
What can you contribute? Motivation. She feels the needs of the
children have to be met.
Children in school? Four children. One attends Great Neck Middle
School and the Old Donation Center and two children at Hermitage
Elementary. The youngest child begins elementary school next year.
Donald F. Bennis
Age: 44
Address: 2000 block of Thomas Bishop Lane (Meadowridge)
Occupation: Attorney
Previous elected post: Appointed to board in 1995 by the Circuit
Court.
Why are you running? ``I have a record with the School Board on
votes that support teachers, parents and children. There needs to be
some continuity when we're facing a totally new board with the
resignations. I have been a positive force on the board. We're in
the middle of the budget process now. I don't know how anybody
coming on board new could evaluate the entire budget and make
constructive recommendations with such little time.
What could you contribute? ``I think we need to move the school
system forward. We need to bring some closure to the 1994-95 budget
deficit and we need to bring the current year's budget in the black.
We need to restore the trust and confidence of the citizens of
Virginia Beach in the school system. I think I can help with all of
that.''
Children in school? One at John B. Dey Elementary, one at Great
Neck Middle
Patricia L. Burns
Age: 48
Address: 4100 block Woodlake Court (Windsor Oaks West)
Occupation: Registered nurse
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? ``I felt I had a civic responsibility having
been a resident for so many years. I'm a life member of the PTA.
When I read what was going on I felt obligated to get involved. . .
. I've always had the priority of children, welfare and
education.''
What can you contribute? Knowledge of the schools. Active for 25
years in school issues; worked as a school nurse; volunteered as a
school nurse. Stability. ``I have a diverse background in management
and working with the schools. Hopefully I can help with the
continuity. I'm a very sincere, honest, hard working person. My
friends say I'm thrifty.''
Children in school? Two sons, Princess Anne High School
graduates.
Gail A. Ball
Age: 53
Address: 500 block of Catalina Ave. (Malibu)
Occupation: Real Estate Agent, Hutcheson Realty Inc.
Previous elected post: Ran unsuccessfully for an at-large seat on
the board in 1994.
Why running? As a former teacher, mother of one son who attended
city schools and as the wife of a city school principal, Ball feels
she has the qualifications and the commitment to help oversee the
workings of the local school system.
What can you contribute? ``I have the background and the business
background to do the job,'' she says.
Children in school? One son, attended a Beach school.
by CNB