THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 10, 1996 TAG: 9603110195
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Cover Story: May 7 Election
LENGTH: Long : 165 lines
James A. Grace
Age: 44
Address: 2300 block of Custom Circle (Great Neck Estates)
Occupation: Educational specialist with D.P. Associates Inc., a
computer-based training firm
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? I am running because I have an educational
background. I have been out of the Navy for a couple of years. I'm
stable in the Virginia Beach area and feel the need to get more
involved in the community. This seemed like a good place to start.
I'm already involved with my church and feel I could make an impact
on my children's future.
What can you contribute? I can contribute learned budget
oversight. I can contribute sound educational knowledge and
philosophy. I can contribute to my community and what it feels is
important.
Children in school: Four children, three in the school system and
one in college.
Daniel Edwards
Age: 48
Address: 1500 block of Beachview Drive (Lake Christopher)
Occupation: Accountant
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? A retired Navy commander with 25 years in
the service, Edwards feels his experience as budget officer for the
Atlantic Fleet and comptroller of the Norfolk Naval Base gives the
needed experience to handle the intricacies of school finance. ``If
they need somebody to read and understand a 300-page budget
document, I can do that,'' he said.
What can you contribute? Budgetary know-how.
Children in school? Two children who attend Beach public
schools.
Randi A. Perrone-Kerfoot
Age: 34
Address: 2100 block of Sherbrooke Circle (Great Neck Farms)
Occupation: Flight attendant and real estate investor
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? There is a need for some good people to get
involved. It is time to put the financial mess behind us and try to
regain the trust and confidence of the citizens and students and
educators of Virginia Beach.
What can you contribute? An open mind, good judgment. I can help
regain the trust of the community, better the relationships with
City Council and other city offices and the educators and the
students, keeping in mind that the goal is the welfare and education
of the children.
Children in school? One child who will enter Trantwood Elementary
in September.
Raymond Alan Newlon
Age: 43
Address: 1700 block of Rally Drive (Broad Bay Estates)
Occupation: District Manager of Hapag-Lloyd (America) Inc.
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? He is concerned about citizen apathy. He's
concerned about how tax money is spent. He also feels a good school
system is what helps attract new people and businesses to the area.
What can you contribute? Would like to see a good mixture of
people (on the board) so that ideas are coming from all points or
perspectives.
Children in school? Two children. One is a Tallwood High School
graduate and an Old Dominion University student and the other is a
junior at Cox High.
Michael B. Moore
Age: 46
Address: 1300 block of Nesbitt Drive (Green Run)
Occupation: Probation counselor
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? He has an interest in children and has
always been active in children's issues and activities.
What can you contribute? He wants to make sure there's fiscal
responsibility, and reconciliation with the City Council. Teachers'
salaries are also an important topic.
Children in school? Has a son in Green Run High School and an
older daughter
A.A. "Al" Wallace
Age: 51
Address: 4600 block of Chippendale Court (Haygood Point)
Occupation: Project engineer
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running?: Fiscal management, focus on children's
education, preparing graduates for entering the work force or
college, improvement of SAT scores and more support for the
teachers.
What would you contribute?: I would ask the administration for
periodic graphic reports on the budget; I would implement an
after-school remedial program; I would study the administrative
structure to ensure there is proper support to the schools.
Children in school? One daughter graduated from Bayside High in
May.
Claude R. "Okie" Thompson
Age: 68
Address: 1100 block of Rollingwood Arch (Bellamy Manor)
Occupation: Retired Coast Guard officer.
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? Since retiring 16 years ago, Thompson has
been involved in local environmental programs such as the Elizabeth
River Project and feels he has the expertise in the field to help
city schools realize considerable savings and avoid serious problems
in future construction projects.
What can you contribute? ``I just want to have the opportunity to
talk to - not only the people who have kids in the school system -
but keep the other 75 percent abreast of what's going on in the
school system.''
Children in school? Thompson's youngest daughter is attending
Kempsville High School.
Kenneth R. Sigmon
Age: 43
Address: 2200 block of Cantwell Road (Princess Anne Crossing)
Occupation: Virginia Beach campus director of Commonwealth
College
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? He feels he has the financial background and
management skills needed to help run a big public school system.
What can you contribute? ``I believe I have the particular skill
that would be valuable to the School Board - one that would restore
credibility on the fiscal management side,'' he said.
Children in school? Four children in the city school system.
Michael P. Nagelin
Age: 41
Address: 5300 block of Roves Court (Charlestown Forest)
Occupation: Mortgage banker
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? He has a vested interest and believes in
fiscal responsibility as well as stability within the schools.
What can you contribute? He wants to make sure there's fiscal
responsibility and that the recent turnover does not affect the
education of the children.
Children in school? Three children in district schools.
Louis R. Soscia Sr.
Age: 74
Address: 2600 block of Sandy Valley Road (Chesopeian Colony)
Occupation: Retired insurance sales manager
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? The poor situation in the school division.
What can you contribute? Common sense. Being a sales manager of
an office, my responsibility was dealing with money. I know how to
work with budgets. I know how to work with spending and how to stop
spending.
Children in school? Six children graduated from the Virginia
Beach public school system; currently has three grandchildren in
school system.
by CNB