THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 31, 1996 TAG: 9603290189
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
SOURCE: John Pruitt
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
An assortment of comments and observations from the Peanut Gallery. . .
Once a showman . . .
All these years after he was mayor, Andrew B. Damiani is still among Suffolk's best ambassadors.
Maybe Mr. Peanut and former Gov. Mills E. Godwin Jr. top him for recognition, but few people who've been around Hampton Roads for any time don't at least recognize Andy's name.
As any marketer can attest, there's equity in that. Andy's a showman, both in terms of background and style.
And despite being rejected by voters, he's still deeply interested in Suffolk, its politics and its image. He likes to talk, and he likes it when other people get to talking about things that matter to Suffolk.
So do I. For some time now, I've lamented the absence of a forum for citizen participation in their city, a place where ideas could be offered and explored, a way to get away from the notion that City Hall is to serve up ideas and we citizens are to like them.
All of us, including many who inhabit City Hall, know that the best results come when ideas are explored openly. The problem comes when City Hall acts differently.
Andy and Eugene A. Denison, author of a guest column on this page, were among a number of people who said they shared my concern about the absence of a forum. The difference is that they went into action - Andy with the idea of a cable television show, and Gene's moving to organize a forum, which is still in the organizational stage.
On Thursday, Andy filmed the initial version of his ``Roundtable Talk'' show, which he's talked Falcon Cable into airing. No date has been set.
Lydia Duke, Suffolk division chair of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, was his guest; panelists were Tim Copeland of the Suffolk-News Herald and me. This is what television critics call a ``talking heads'' show - discussion without other footage, the type of show action-hungry youngsters would bypass.
Maybe, though, some channel-surfing adults will come across it, pause and give some thought to what's being said. And maybe they'll be stimulated to talk with the people in their homes and with their neighbors, until ultimately there's a community conversation swirling.
That's Andy's aim, and I'm sure he'd welcome your ideas about how to make the show a citizens' forum. His office number is 539-1216.
Hey, can you tell it's nearly election time?
In two months or so, we'll be electing three members each to the City Council and School Board. Would you know it, based on the activities of the candidates?
There's no competition in the Whaleyville Borough, but there is in the Sleepy Hole and Nansemond boroughs. Choice means responsibility, and residents in those areas should take seriously their obligation to know the candidates, the issues and where the candidates stand on the issues.
This may be truer this election than any before, for the buzz word seems to be ``controlled growth.''
Yes, citizens say, they want Suffolk to grow, but in the right ways. They don't want to be, say 20 years down the road, where fast-growing neighbors are today.
Ask the candidates, including the unopposed candidates, what that means to them and what ideas they have to assure controlled growth.
And while you're at it, find out from School Board candidates how they can contribute to improving Suffolk schools and the performance of our children.
This election, vow not to let ``them,'' the people who are always involved, make decisions on your behalf. Get involved and cast informed votes. MEMO: COMMENTS? Write to the editor or call 934-7553. by CNB