THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 13, 1996 TAG: 9606130001
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A17 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Opinion
SOURCE: PATRICK LACKEY
LENGTH: 71 lines
Portsmouth, population about 103,000, is roughly half black, half white, and neither half can go forward without the other any further than a bird can fly with one wing.
Many say that no one has done more to foster good racial relations in Portsmouth than Junius H. Williams Jr., who was honored at a banquet last month as First Citizen of Portsmouth.
``He's cosmopolitan,'' said Portsmouth School Board member and New Testament Church pastor Charles H. Bowens II. ``He's broad-minded. You can't put him in one little pocket and say that's him. He comes with a lack of biases. He doesn't bring with him any baggage. He's not a perfectionist, but he's a lifelong learner. He's constantly probing for a higher level, for him and those he's around. He's a friendly man, and his morals are clean.''
He is, in short, what every city needs hundreds of.
By day he is Virginia Power's division manager for community and government affairs. By night he is a servant of the city. A typical week has him attending three or more night meetings concerning projects to help Portsmouth.
``Simply put,'' said Morton V. Whitlow, an earlier First Citizen, ``Junius has worked harder and has been in more positions of responsibility in Portsmouth during the past 10 years than any other citizen. He has earned our respect and recognition as a First Citizen.''
Since moving to Portsmouth in 1983, Williams, 46, has had leadership roles in the Chamber of Commerce's Portsmouth division, the Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the Portsmouth Partnership and the Portsmouth Schools Foundation, to name some. In 1992 Williams was appointed to fill a six-month vacancy on City Council, but he declined to run for election to a full term. ``I don't like being out front,'' he said. ``That's not me.''
Until recent years, the First Citizen award was sponsored by the Moose Lodge. Now the banquet is staged by Ports Events and the award is sponsored by Kiwanians, Lions, Rotarians and the Junior Service League.
The first First Citizen was named in 1932, and the first 40 First Citizens were white males. Then came a white female, followed by 14 more white males, then another white female and so on.
Williams is the first African-American First Citizen.
About 400 people, white and black, crowded into Holiday Inn banquet rooms to honor him. Eva S. Teig, a Portsmouth native and Virginia Power vice president, was mistress of ceremonies. James T. Rhodes, Virginia Power president and CEO, also attended.
A native of Petersburg, Williams fell in love with Portsmouth when he was transferred there 13 years ago. His two daughters were 4 months and 17 months old, and they have received wonderful educations in the public schools, Williams said.
He has been active in Portsmouth civic affairs as long as he's lived in the city. Virginia Power encourages its managers to be involved, he said. Also, he added, if you're concerned about a community, you've got to act to make it better. One of his early accomplishments was to help raise more than $2 million for economic development in Portsmouth.
He has been productive without making enemies.
``People have got to understand that they must compromise,'' he said. ``All of us are not going to agree, and it's all right to fight - but not to the extent that you can't compromise at some point. To me, it's simple. But a lot of people don't get it.''
Portsmouth has to ``get it'' for the city to move. Be assured that Williams will play his part and more.
``I'm just happy that Junius lives in Portsmouth,'' said Mayor Gloria Webb. ``He has a businessman's mind. He's very analytical. He stays out of the politics. I've never seen him make a decision based upon race. He does what is best for all of Portsmouth. He's a great guy.'' MEMO: Mr. Lackey is an editorial writer for The Virginian-Pilot. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
JUNIUS H. WILLIAMS JR. by CNB