THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 16, 1996 TAG: 9606140200
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 48 lines
Mayor Gloria Webb presided Tuesday over her last meeting of City Council before she leaves office July 1.
She didn't make any speeches or do anything extraordinary, merely thanked Vice Mayor Johnny Clemons for the gold watch presented to her and sat down to go to work.
That was typical of the mayor. She's not a person to gush.
In fact, one of her long suits is her reluctance to spew out a lot of meaningless words when a few will do. She fits no stereotypes of politicians.
Some citizens call her ``cold'' and ``distant,'' failing to realize that she may be more real than some of her verbose colleagues. Conversely, others believe her to be too much of a politician.
In some ways, Webb is naive, seeming to believe that the public will take her for what she is. That doesn't always work, as evidenced by the most recent election in which she lost out to Jim Holley, who was recalled from office nine years ago.
Some have believed the mayor to be rich, pampered and out of touch with real world because she is married to a doctor. In fact, she cuts the grass at the Webb home in Glensheallah and irons her husband's shirts, among other things.
Webb has taken a lot of flak in recent years. Like the mayor of any city, she had to bear the brunt of criticism for actions that are beyond the purview of one person - even the mayor.
Over the 16 years that Webb has been on the council, the public has become increasingly disrespectful of elected officials. Citizens who speak at council meetings engage in unnecessary and, at times unbelievable, verbal abuse. As mayor, Webb had to take it straight on, but she generally managed to keep her cool.
Whether you agreed with Webb's votes or not, there never was any doubt about her intention to do the best she could for the city.
She worked many long days and nights for the city. She represented us well. She was mindful of all the people of Portsmouth, not just those who happened to vote for her.
Because of her devotion to this city, it is with some sadness that we see her return to private life after 16 years in the public fish bowl.
It's always hard to say goodbye. But it's easy to wish Gloria Webb a happy retirement from public life to more leisurely days - days free of late night meetings and early morning telephone calls and full of good tennis and lots of time with her grandchildren. by CNB