THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 4, 1996 TAG: 9605040382
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
A coalition of public safety unions on Friday endorsed Superward 7 candidate William E. ``Wes'' Swindell and Superward 6 candidate Charles D. Grant - candidates they said are in touch with the groups' calls for changes in city government.
Members of the Public Safety Alliance - The Fraternal Order of Police Commodore Lodge 3, Norfolk Police Union and Norfolk Professional Fiefighters, Local 68 - announced their support at a news conference Friday.
``We've talked with them and they thought the change in City Hall was necessary,'' said Howard Kangas, president of the Norfolk Police Union. ``They feel a lot of spending needs to be accounted for.''
Grant, a former police chief, told the group he would support the alliance's proposed retirement system, which was suggested last November, Kangas said. But so far, he said, the city has taken no action.
The proposal would simplify the current two-tiered system into one that would save the city money, Kangas said.
``We think this improvement in the benefits is long overdue and can be done with a savings to the city,'' said Kangas, an officer assigned to the harbor patrol.
In addition, it is designed to encourage both retirement and recruitment, he said. He said the alliance is willing to discuss the proposal with city officials.
The group plans to make a presentation at the next City Council meeting.
KEYWORDS: NORFOLK CITY COUNCIL RACE by CNB