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

DATE: Friday, May 17, 1996                   TAG: 9605170482
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY MIKE KNEPLER, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                     LENGTH: Medium:   70 lines

CITIZENS SAY A LACK OF COOPERATION HURTS EFFORT AT LURING JOBS FORUM ALSO CITES WATER, TRANSIT AND AREA IDENTITY AS STUMBLING BLOCKS.

Citizens attending a neighborhood forum on regional issues Thursday said there was not enough cooperation among Hampton Roads cities to attract corporations that provide good-paying jobs.

The citizens also named three other major stumbling blocks to luring major businesses: negative publicity about water problems, uncertainty about defining the region and promoting its strengths and inadequate region-wide transit, including lack of a light-rail system.

These assessments were made at a meeting organized to encourage neighborhood residents in the Kempsville borough of Virginia Beach to exchange ideas on regional issues with people living in nearby parts of Norfolk and Chesapeake. The session, held at Green Run High School, was part of a series of forums sponsored by City Council member Louisa Strayhorn.

Strayhorn organized the meetings at the request of some of her constituents. She said she believes that average citizens can identify problems and potential solutions as well as politicians and consultants.

Although Strayhorn said she was pleased with the session, about 30 people attended, less than half the turnout at her first neighborhood forum on regionalism two months ago. She blamed the weather and conflicts with other meetings, and said the effort will continue.

Most who attended Thursday's forum said there were several reasons why it was important for Hampton Roads to attract businesses with middle- and upper-income jobs. They said it would help the area retain more smart people, keep real-estate tax rates in check, reduce unemployment and stabilize the housing stock.

Strayhorn used some of the teamwork-building skills that have become vogue in many corporations and government agencies. Citizens brainstormed the possible reasons that get in the way of luring businesses. Then they voted to determine the top four factors.

The voting revealed that some often-cited factors did not impress the citizens. For example, only a few people agreed that the relatively small Norfolk International Airport was an impediment to attracting bigger businesses.

There were also lessons in framing the problems. About 10 people voted that a lack of water was a major problem, but 21 agreed that negative publicity about water was an important factor.

Similarly, seven citizens voted to blame the lack of an integrated regional political system - for example region-wide government - was a major problem. But when the question was posed in terms of insufficient regional cooperation, 21 people agreed.

Don Maxwell, economic development director of Virginia Beach, cautioned citizens not to bank on high-tech businesses for higher-paying jobs. Many jobs in that industry, he said, pay relatively low.

Maxwell went on to outline some of Virginia Beach's emerging strategy for attracting businesses. The tactics may include trying to lure more companies from the Northeast, particularly those in telecommunications, insurance and banking.

But Maxwell found himself challenged by several citizens who wanted to know more about how Virginia Beach's game plan fit into the overall strategy of the region. Maxwell said he hesitates to use most region-wide indicators, noting that the Beach stands better on its own in terms of crime rate, education, purchasing power and taxes.

Strayhorn said she wants to continue neighborhood-level discussions of regional issues. Her next meeting will be in June at a date to be announced. At that session, she will ask citizens to brainstorm more ideas to help Hampton Roads attract good jobs. MEMO: For information or to participate, call Louisa Strayhorn at 495-9225. by CNB