THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 10, 1996 TAG: 9605090177
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Election '96
SOURCE: BY JO-ANN CLEGG, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Neil Rose, the 36-year-old attorney who captured a four-year, at-large seat on the School Board, put a lot of thought into his decision to run.
He had started in January discussing the issues with his family, friends and members of his law firm.
When all, including his wife Gina, were supportive, Rose looked to one final place for approval - his three sons, Freddie, 9, and twins Jonathan and Ryan, 6.
With Freddie, the process was pretty straightforward. But with the twins, Rose had to be a little more creative.
He resorted to the bedtime story routine.
``I told them a story about a daddy who spent a lot of time with his kids but who wanted to help lots of other kids, too. Only that would take him away from his own family a lot,'' Rose said.
``I asked them if they thought the daddy should share some of his time with those other kids, too. ``They both said yes. Then I asked them what if it was their daddy.''
That, Rose learned quickly, was a somewhat different matter. It took a little extra persuasion, but Jonathan and Ryan eventually agreed.
Fortunately for the Roses, they had plenty of support from extended family throughout the campaign. His parents, Ruth and Joe Rose, who live at the Beach and her mother, Beverly Handel, who lives in Norfolk were available for baby-sitting chores. Both also have siblings in the area.
As Tuesday evening's long wait for the final count wore on, it was family, close friends and campaign workers who provided the support that Neil and Gina Rose needed.
``We've been up since 2:30 this morning,'' the candidate said, ``putting out signs at the polling places and then working the polls.''
The day had actually started out on a somewhat frustrating note. ``We had just turned onto Great Neck Road from Laskin at about 3:30 this morning when I looked in the rear view mirror and there was a blue light flashing behind me,'' Rose said.
He pulled over with his carload of signs, wondering what on earth he had done to attract the officer's attention.
It turns out that a burned out license plate light was the culprit. The officer explained to Rose that smashing the light so the plate can't be read is a favorite trick of car thieves.
Satisfied that the Roses were on legitimate business, the officer sent them on their way.
``All I could think the whole time we were stopped was that I really don't have time for this,'' Rose related 18 hours later as he sipped a Coke and waited for the returns at his election headquarters in the Oceanside condominiums.
When his win seemed assured, Rose was asked if this was step one on the way to the governor's mansion.
``Absolutely not,'' he said. ``My interest is only in education.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
ELECTION RESULTS
[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]
KEYWORDS: ELECTION VIRGINIA BEACH RESULTS VIRGINIA BEACH SCHOOL
BOARD ELECTIONS by CNB