THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, May 2, 1996                  TAG: 9605020002
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A16  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   43 lines

SWINDELL WOULD WORK FOR GRASS ROOTS

As expected, The Virginian-Pilot has chosen to endorse a candidate for Superward 7 who is financially backed by the rich and powerful network of the westside of Norfolk. In endorsing Daun Hester, The Virginian-Pilot is attempting, once again, to encourage Norfolk's voters to ignore the need for increased grass roots representation of City Council.

I cannot contest the fact that Ms. Hester is well-educated and has used her educational preparation to work with our children. That, however, is her job; it does not make her the best choice for City Council. While she has been involved in several community-based activities and projects, Ms. Hester's participation has been limited to those projects and programs which her financial supporters (from the westside) have seen as non-threatening to their hold on city power.

On the other hand, candidate Wes Swindell is not concerned with power and influence. His involvement in community activities has been motivated by his vision of empowerment of the people. He, like me, Herbert Collins and Randy Wright, is a fiscal conservative who wants to ensure that Norfolk equitably expends its limited resources throughout the city. Wes Swindell will seek pragmatic solutions to problems and issues. Because he is not a pawn of the power brokers, Wes Swindell is in a position that will allow him to make decisions based on what is beneficial to both the city and its citizens rather than on what the power brokers want.

Lastly, your not-so-subtle attempt to equate a vote for Wes Swindell with a vote for me as mayor only serves to underscore your commitment to maintaining the status quo on City Council. Like the current power base, you are willing to concede a few council seats to the average citizen, but will do everything possible to keep the balance of power in favor of a few people with money and influence.

PAUL R. RIDDICK

Norfolk, April 28, 1996 by CNB