THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 30, 1996 TAG: 9604300306
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: DECISION 96
SOURCE: BY ALEX MARSHALL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
What kinds of changes could occur as the city council shifts for the first time to having a majority of members elected under the new ward system?
If the past is any guide, there is likely to be more emphasis on neighborhoods, more response to public opinion and less willingness to take unpopular risks with taxpayers' money.
The mayor is scrambling to secure his position, and the city manager could have some difficult times adjusting - or even holding onto his post.
``He might be in trouble,'' said Councilman Herbert M. Collins of City Manager James B. Oliver. ``Because Jim seems to have had a very difficult time adjusting to the ward system.''
Rev. Joseph N. Green, a 20-year veteran of council, is retiring from Superward 7. All the candidates vying for his seat match the emphasis on neighborhood issues of the council members elected since the shift to a ward system in 1992: Collins, Paul R. Riddick and W. Randy Wright.
Even if long-time Councilman Mason C. Andrews retains his seat in Superward 6, the more neighborhood-oriented council members would still have a majority.
The council will elect a mayor from its ranks on July 2, the first meeting after the new members take office.
Within the campaigns, there has been speculation that Riddick or Wright might replace Mayor Paul D. Fraim.
Monday, Fraim seemed a safe bet to keep his position.
``I don't think there is any move to replace him, I really don't,'' said Collins. ``Right now, I don't have a problem with Fraim.''
Wright said he supports Fraim without reservations.
``I have long been committed to supporting Paul Fraim for mayor,'' Wright said. ``There is no change in that.''
Still, Fraim met with several candidates shortly after their announcements and asked them who they would support.
``Paul Riddick is my first choice,'' said candidate William ``Wes'' Swindell in Ward 7. ``If there is not a fourth vote (for Riddick), I would look to Collins and Riddick for direction.''
Candidate Daun Hester in Ward 7 said she told Fraim that she would not rule herself out as a possible choice for mayor.
``Just because I'm the novice doesn't mean I can't be mayor,'' Hester said. ``We have to see how that discussion goes.''
Fraim appears to have solid support for mayor from current council members because he has been a valued mediator between the older and new sides of council. With 10 years on council and solid ties to the city's elite, he has straddled the gap between the more populist ward council members and the older at-large members.
``I give credit to the mayor,'' Wright said. ``He is sensitive to a more proactive council. He is trying to include all of us in the process.''
Oliver may have more trouble. Collins, Riddick, Wright and even Fraim have at times clashed with Oliver over his management style.
It only takes a simple majority - four council votes - to replace the city manager.
Council members said they have been dissatisfied with the administration's openness when they have requested information on crime in neighborhoods, Nauticus financing and other issues.
When The Virginian-Pilot reported recently that the Chrysler Museum was running at a deficit, the council had not heard about this first, Collins said.
``The Chrysler crisis? We had to pick that up in the newspaper,'' Collins said. ``The truth is difficult to obtain from the staff at time, and that bothers us.''
Candidate Swindell, whom Collins and Riddick are backing, says he would move to replace Oliver.
But Collins praised Oliver.
``I like Jim an awful lot, and right now I'm not committed to putting him out,'' Collins said. ``But he's going to have to change his strategy with his council.''
Fraim said the movement against Oliver was mostly talk.
In his decade as city manager, Oliver has cut the city workforce dramatically, saving taxpayers millions of dollars.
``I think he will enjoy the support of council after the election,'' Fraim said. ``I think Jim has been an excellent city manager, and he has my support.'' ILLUSTRATION: Mayor Paul D. Fraim
KEYWORDS: NORFOLK CITY COUNCIL RACE by CNB