THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 8, 1996 TAG: 9605080387
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: AE10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KATRICE FRANKLIN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
Short lines and a trickle of voters set the scene Tuesday at voting precincts around Suffolk.
At some of the polls, the early hours produced more election officials than voters. The talk centered more on how easy the 3-year-old, computerized voting machines were to use than about the candidates or issues.
For many of the residents who chose to vote, it was simply about exercising their rights.
``If I don't come out and vote, I have no right to complain,'' said Jack West, a Nansemond Borough voter in the polling place at the Golden Corral restaurant on Main Street. ``I think we're lucky to have people willing to stand up, without pay or recognition, to serve. It's no issue or candidate, it's just that I'm obligated to vote.''
Les Mansfield, a resident in the Nansemond Borough, said nothing more than habit forced him to leave his home in heavy rain.
``I believe in voting,'' Mansfield said. ``I do it every time.''
Those who braved the rain because they were concerned about issues said they voted for candidates representing their views on managing growth - a topic that dominated interviews and conversations with voters before the election.
``On the City Council, I'm interested in the issue of uncontrolled residential development,'' Linda Bunch said after she voted at Elephant's Fork Elementary School. ``That's a big issue for me. I voted for the person whose statement . . . said that was an issue for him.''
Bunch, a resident in the Nansemond Borough, voted for political newcomer J. Dodd Brooks.
Others said their votes revolved around their neighborhoods' lack of city sewerage and water and schools.
``I have a vested interested in the schools,'' said Bettie Swain, a school administrator and parent. ``Given the growth, especially in the northern end, I'm concerned about schools and whether we have enough schools to accommodate them.''
Some said they were voting to keep incumbents in office.
Nelson Rapp, 70, said he voted for Richard R. Harris because ``he's been looking out for the city as a whole, not just his particular area.''
Charlie Lassiter and Richard L. Andrews agreed.
``I vote for the candidate more than anything else,'' said Andrews. ``I've been supporting Harris. He's done a good job.''
KEYWORDS: SUFFOLK CITY COUNCIL RACE ELECTION RESULTS by CNB