THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 12, 1996 TAG: 9605120144
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS AND KATRICE FRANKLIN, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Long : 101 lines
During a recent public hearing, City Councilman-elect Leroy Bennett sat with constituents from the Driver community. As consultants paged through flip charts, Bennett asked questions. He shook hands. He listened.
The residents were upset about a proposal to bring a youth entertainment studio to the surplus Navy Driver Radio Transmitting Facility property.
Bennett was there mixing it up. But Councilman Richard R. Harris, whom Bennett defeated for the Nansemond seat on May 7, stood apart from the residents with his back against the wall.
Although Bennett won't take office for seven weeks, there has already been a symbolic changing of the guard.
On July 1, Bennett will step down as chairman of the Redevelopment and Housing Authority to become the council's newest member. One of Bennett's campaign pledges is to unite members of the diverse borough. Roughly 60 percent black and 40 percent white, the borough was redrawn to gain black representation. But Bennett plays down the race issue.
``I want to be the people's person. I want to really hear the people,'' Bennett said. ``I don't think it's going to be a black thing. I'll be representing all the people.''
One of Bennett's top priorities is to serve communities that have been neglected as the city extended its water and sewer service. Bennett's own Wilroy Road area community has been earmarked on the city's capital improvements plan for nearly 15 years, he said.
``I'll be looking at those areas that have been in the plan,'' Bennett said. ``I don't think those communities should be skipped over.''
Longtime Vice Mayor Curtis R. Milteer said Bennett will be a welcome change to the council.
``I think he's an excellent choice,'' Milteer said. ``We're looking forward to having a team player on board for the betterment of the city.''
Since 1990, the council has had six different members. With past redistricting and Suffolk's growth boom, the changing faces do not surprise Mayor S. Chris Jones. The challenge is uniting toward a common vision, Jones said.
``When you have a lot of new faces on council, there's going to be a learning curve,'' Jones acknowledged. ``But Mr. Bennett has had a number of years of government experience.''
As well as serving as chairman of the housing agency, Bennett has been chairman of the city's Industrial Development Authority.
Bennett's departure adds to a leadership crisis in the Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
The board has been through two directors in the last three years, and a replacement director hired in January changed his mind before ever showing up.
Bennett's move to the council leaves the board with another leadership seat to fill and more uncertainty about the future.
Three years ago, federal and state officials accused the board of mishandling a $1 million federally funded rental rehabilitation program.
Since then, the authority has had a number of problems, including being asked to repay $157,000 in misused federal money, not being able to work with the City Council, and having a hard time keeping a leader.
City officials have also been pushing for the agency to concentrate on redevelopment efforts instead of just housing.
Officials learned Friday that Suffolk will be part of a home consortium project with Franklin and Southampton and Isle of Wight counties. They will divide $478,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The money will be used for demolition, revolving home loans and home buyer assistance.
Cynthia D. Rohlf, assistant to the city manager, said it's one of the tools the city needs to move toward redevelopment.
``This will definitely target a pool of money we didn't have,'' Rohlf said. ``There are pressing housing needs out there.''
Bennett predicted his move to the council won't change or slow the authority's plans.
``I think we have people on the board that are positive, and I feel confident that it will continue on in a positive direction,'' Bennett said.
Besides revitalization, the authority is also looking into building new low-income housing in Orlando, a neighborhood off Factory Street near the core city, Bennett said.
Bennett said the authority is pushing to hire a new director soon and is also working on several plans to begin repaying the Department of Housing and Urban Development the money it owes, including asking to start reimbursing the organization in payments beginning in July.
Housing officials said Bennett's new position should also help mend past communication problems.
``Mr. Bennett comes from the housing authority,'' said John B. Faircloth, a housing commissioner. ``He knows the other side well. He knows what we're trying to do. It's a positive thing for us.''
A move toward redeveloping the downtown and neighborhoods won't be easy considering the agency's past squabbles with the city.
Earlier this year, the council and agency clashed after the housing authority decided to relocate its offices to the Paul D. Camp Community College without informing the council, which appoints the authority's board members. The council wanted the board to move downtown as part of its efforts to revitalize the city's business district.
Mayor Jones said he hoped Bennett would remain at the helm of the authority until he is sworn onto the council on July 1. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Bennett
by CNB