THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 18, 1996 TAG: 9604180131
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 158 lines
Age: 60
Education: Goucher College, Towson, Md.
Employment: Dental assistant, Red Cross, Hawaii (two years); assistant director, Oasis Social Ministries, Portsmouth; elected to Suffolk City Council, May 1992.
Personal: Suffolk resident almost 19 years; married; three sons; one grandchild.
Views: The construction of the new court facility may well be the key to the revitalization of Suffolk's downtown. I see a mix of service and professional business growth augmenting the existing eclectic mix.
With the construction of the Southwest Bypass, much traffic - including heavy trucks - will be routed away from the city. Suffolk will then be a more pleasant place in which to shop and work. Fine tuning the new inspection policies, coupled with historic building renovations, will rejuvenate the area.
In northern Suffolk, land already zoned for business and industry should see new growth. Active marketing for commercial opportunities is a vital necessity. Along with a planned golf course north of U.S. 17, additional recreational spaces will be required to serve growing residential areas throughout the city.
To serve Suffolk's increasing number of families and school children, recreation facilities with attendant community centers should be collocated at schools to provide for family recreation and use.
Growth in Suffolk will increase law enforcement responsibilities. This may well require satellite offices to reduce response time and allow true community involvement. In conjunction with recently enacted legislation for a state mandated court services unit, Suffolk's need for a juvenile detention facility dictates the need for regional cooperation similar to that which created our Western Tidewater Regional Jail Facility.
As a member of Council, I urge our city to enlist citizen input in all proposed city construction and reconstruction, including Suffolk High School, and the eventual refurbishment of the old courthouse.
Encouraging the development of new business and industry is a top priority. I support and would vote to provide for an industrial development closure fund, renewable annually.
I have supported, and will in the future support, additional funds for revitalization efforts and for the extension of water and sewer in older neighborhoods.
My interest in serving Suffolk comes strictly from a strong desire to make Suffolk a better place in which to live and work, and I will work with the other members of Council in this endeavor. BILL BISHOP
Age: 59
Education: Pursuing a bachelor's degree in aviation management
Employment: Retired as a master chief petty officer, U.S. Navy
Personal: President of Bennett's Harbor Homeowners Association
Views: My vision of Suffolk is of a city with a mixture of farms, light industry, office parks and a viable downtown, with priority given to clean industry and farming.
A city government which is staffed by qualified personnel who have the welfare of the citizens as their top priority.
A city which has a viable restoration program in place and working. We cannot continue to destroy valuable farm land in order to saturate the landscape with high density housing.
If we are to restore and renovate a part of downtown Suffolk, it is imperative that homes and business in that area be maintained. This can be done through enforcement of existing ordinances.
A school system that graduates students that can be accepted by any college or technical school, graduates and enters the work force with a respectable income.
A school system that strives to eliminate the bureaucracy and ensures that funds go directly to educating the student. Education is the cornerstone of this nation and cannot be ignored, but it must be cost effective.
A city which has essential services available to all of its citizens, old neighborhoods as well as new ones.
One way to do this is for 25 percent of all tax revenues generated be directed to water and sewer projects.
Of course, this would require that the operating budget be reduced accordingly. This is not only possible but desirable. Rename the utility department from an enterprise activity to what it is and has always been. Reduce the bureaucracy and proceed to complete utility expansion into older neighborhoods.
If elected to council, I will devote my time and energy to correct the problems that I have outlined.
My life experiences have provided me with the insight and ability to work with any reasonable person, the fortitude to stand my ground when challenged, and the ability to evaluate and correct problems.
If Suffolk is to reach its potential, it is essential that council work in harmony and at the same time, demand the same from boards/commissions and especially the city staff.
Suffolk is a great city with some problems. However, with vision and direction it can be even greater.
What we do not want is overloaded roads, urban sprawl, inadequate schools, large debt and lack of essential services. Instead, let us be known as the city with class. WHALEYVILLE BOROUGH CURTIS R. MILTEER SR.
Age: 65
Education: Completed two years, Norfolk State University
Employment: Retired supervisor, Naval Air Rework Facility; City Council member since 1980
Personal: Suffolk resident for 65 years
Views: My vision for Suffolk is that the city will continue experiencing rapid residential growth and focus on attracting new industrial development, crime prevention and revitalization of older neighborhoods.
We can accomplish these goals by coordinating joint efforts and working with community-based groups.
In order to keep citizens informed, I will conduct community meetings to hear their input and discuss their concerns. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Marian "Bea" Rogers
Bill Bishop
Curtis R. Milteer Sr.
WHERE TO VOTE IN THE SLEEPY HOLE BOROUGH
Yeates precinct: Bennetts Creek Rescue Squad Building, 3885
Bridge Road
Driver precinct: Driver Volunteer Fire Station, 4869 Bennetts
Pasture Road
Chart
VOTING STATISTICS
Precint Registered Registered Votes % Voters
voters '96 voters '92 cast '92 voting '92
Yeates 1,914 1,542 653 42.3
Driver 1,953 1,549 775 50.0
WHERE TO VOTE IN THE WHALEYVILLE BOROUGH
Airport precinct: Bettie S. Davis Village Meeting Room, 100 Dover
Court
Whaleyville precinct: Whaleyville Volunteer Fire Station, 6235
Whaleyville Boulevard
Chart
VOTING STATISTICS
Precinct Registered Registered Votes % Voters
voters '96 voters '92 cast '92 voting '92
Airport 2,174 2,059 634 30.7
Whaleyville 797 763 185 24.2
KEYWORDS: CANDIDATE ELECTION
SUFFOLK CITY COUNCIL
by CNB