THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 25, 1996 TAG: 9604290190
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Decision '96
LENGTH: Long : 192 lines
Due to a technical error, some type was omitted Sunday, April 21, from some City Council candidates' essays. The essays are being published again in their entirety.
About 17 residents gathered recently to discuss their concerns about Suffolk as they prepare to elect new members to the City Council and School Board.
The meetings, hosted by the Virginian-Pilot, included citizens from different neighborhoods and backgrounds. No public officials were invited.
The concerns raised by residents reflected what the newspaper has been hearing in other interviews and public discussions heard over the past year.
Residents said they were concerned about growth, and many said they are fearful of losing the neighborhood closeness that they've found while living in a rural area.
They said they want more insight into how the city plans for its future as development continues to soar.
Many said they want the city to devise a plan that would include their input and one that city officials stick to once it is completed.
The newspaper asked the seven City Council candidates to share their views on the issues residents raised.
The Nansemond borough candidates' responses are published here today.
The City Council election is May 7. Three council seats, the Nansemond, Whaleyville and Sleepy Hole boroughs are up for grabs.
Vice Mayor Curtis R. Milteer in Whaleyville is running unopposed.
LEROY BENNETT Age: 57
Education: High school graduate
Employment: Rigger general foreman, Newport News Shipbuilding
Personal: Suffolk resident 37 years
The vision that I have for Suffolk five years from now is one that would not only make our residents and well-wishers proud of their city's accomplishments, but one that would make us a more competitive neighbor in the Hampton Roads community.
I envision that within the next five years we will have to come to grips with:
The shameful existing stock of dilapidated, uninhabitable homes in our city.
We will develop a strict housing code that will allow the city to condemn those houses that are proved unfit for human occupancy, thus making available land for building more affordable housing for low income families.
Our lack of basic services.
All of our citizens will be given an opportunity to attain clean water and sanitary sewage facilities.
Our inadequate recreational facilities.
We will establish a public transportation system that will be available to our youth who need to be transported to and from recreation sites.
The many problems in our schools.
Programs will be implemented that will help our children achieve their maximum potential; the standardized test scores will improve greatly; new and renovated schools will ease overcrowded conditions; the drop-out and truancy rate will decrease; our teachers will receive decent salaries; and more of our high school graduates will attend institutions of higher learning.
The already too high personal property tax rate.
Taxpayers (especially the elderly) will have gained some relief from this overly burdensome tax.
The sprawling, rambling residential building that we see today.
A planned, orderly growth formula will be developed because of the demands of our citizens who value the diversity of resources here in what many refer to as the ``Garden Spot of the Earth.''
I feel that my experience as a former chairman and board member of the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority will qualify me, if elected, to work to impress upon fellow council members the importance of adopting my vision for Suffolk if we are to achieve the ultimate goal of bringing in more industry and thereby revitalizing our city.
I also feel that the experience of working in civic leagues for over 35 years has given me a special ability to recognize and work toward fulfilling the wishes of the people.
J. DODD BROOKS Age: 34
Education: Suffolk High School, 1980.
Employment: Co-owner/President, Suffolk Temporaries, Inc.
Personal: Married; lifelong Suffolk resident; two children
I think that our current council has a vision for Suffolk and I don't share that vision.
In fact, we citizens can't stand five more years of council's vision.
Here's why.
Council's vision is for high speed residential development sprawled across the city.
The financial burden (taxes) on the citizens of Suffolk is already too great.
My vision is to encourage slower residential growth and to direct this new growth near our existing population and infrastructure. It makes sense and is cost effective.
Council's vision encourages regional jobs located away from existing high unemployment areas.
I disagree. My vision is to work to create much needed jobs near those neighborhoods with high unemployment and convenient to public transit.
Industrial parks away from the core population will serve no part in resolving unemployment in Suffolk. Also, resolving unemployment is the first step in creating a better all-around community.
Another council vision is the ``only they (Council) know best attitude.'' Therefore, citizens' concerns don't count. Those who generate favorable votes seem to get the council's attention.
My vision, again, is just the opposite. I promise to assure the community that individuals, organizations and neighborhoods will be included in the process of deciding what is best for them and the city. It seems to me that Council, in its zeal to increase its tax base, has disconnected itself from the people.
As my role as councilman, I will be searching for ways to bring our community together.
Council's vision seems to discourage small business from locating in downtown's central business district and surrounding areas.
My vision is to encourage these businesses to locate here. The first step would be to lessen the restrictive zoning and permit procedures but above all, reduce or eliminate the regressive and very unfair business license tax.
Council's vision for education seems to be reflective of its vision for growth. More growth means more people. More children. More classrooms. More schools needed to do the job. And, ultimately: more funding.
This building process is time-consuming for our school administration. They need to devote more time focusing on education, not forever building.
My vision is to focus on learning skills and school discipline.
To date, we have been taxed to death and we all deserve better. It is simply unfair to continue to provide facilities to ``anticipated growth areas'' when there are those who are still in need of the same services having paid for them 10-fold.
We need to conduct our governing of the city fairly to everyone.
As a business owner, entrepreneur and father of two school age children attending public school, I believe that I have developed the business skills, management experience, municipal knowledge and community dedication this city needs to lead us into the 21st century.
By working together and with your help we can bring vision for Suffolk to fruition.
I would greatly appreciate everyone's support and vote for my election to City Council on Tuesday, May 7.
RICHARD R. HARRIS Age: 51
Education: Graduated high school, 1963; attended Old Dominion University, Paul D. Camp Community College
Employment: Co-owner, J&E Auto Supply
Personal: Married; 2 adult children; Suffolk resident 35 years
I believe that good government begins at the local level, the City Council. This is where your opportunity for ``hands on'' involvement and a chance to make a difference are most easily accomplished.
My goal as a council member is and will continue to be to represent the best interests of the Nansemond Borough while working with my colleagues to do what is best for the city. Each council member represents a separate and unique part of our city, yet most of the votes cast affect the entire city.
The housing problems in our city must be addressed. More affordable housing can be made available through a closer working relationship with the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority. This will help ensure that the funds and programs available will be used to help the citizens they were designed to benefit.
I am committed to making the water and sewer needs of our citizens a top priority, taking into consideration health concerns and funding sources. From 1991-95, the city's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) has devoted more than $15 million to 15 water and sewer projects - 11 of which are in the Nansemond Borough.
The CIP for 1996 until 2006 has identified approximately $60 million in water and sewer projects alone.
Suffolk must secure a viable water source for its future if we are to grow and expand our tax base. Without a long term source, residential and industrial development will come to a standstill. Council is currently pursuing this.
We must work closer with our school officials to improve the quality of education for our children to make sure our school system is second to none. The School Board's CIP budget for the next 10 years has a price tag of more than $100 million. Council recently appointed a Blue Ribbon Committee, made up of Suffolk citizens, to work with the School Board to define the needs for expansion and to identify funding sources.
I am committed to planning today for the future and to provide the best possible environment for our teachers and students. A new elementary school - the first in more than 15 years - is slated to open this fall.
I am committed to funding adequate police and fire protection for our expanding city, a difficult task in an area that encompasses 430 square miles. Since 1992, 30 positions have been added to the Police Department, and 15 to the Fire Department, along with new equipment. We will start construction soon on a replacement for Fire Station
THEODORE ``T.C.'' WILLIAMS
Age: 76
Employment: retired
Views: Williams did not respond. ILLUSTRATION: Photos of candidates
Map and graphic - where to vote
KEYWORDS: SUFFOLK CITY COUNCIL RACE CANDIDATE by CNB