THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 22, 1996 TAG: 9606220299
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAVID M. POOLE AND ROBERT LITTLE, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: 68 lines
Norfolk Del. George Heilig Jr. has been breathing New Mexico's mountain air for two months, seeking solace from a disabling eye condition and a painful divorce.
But the Democrat has been away so long that local Republicans have asked Gov. George F. Allen to declare Heilig's seat vacant and to schedule a special election to find a replacement.
Reached by phone Friday, Heilig bristled at what he called a GOP dirty trick. He blamed allies of George Schaefer, who unsuccessfully challenged Heilig in 1991 and 1995.
``Because he can't win a general election, he wants to get me tossed out on some technicality,'' Heilig said.
Schaefer, an administrator for Norfolk Sheriff Robert McCabe, said he was aware of the issue but denied any involvement in it. Schaefer said that Heilig has only himself to blame for the controversy.
``I'm not the one who moved to New Mexico,'' Schaefer said. ``Taking the people's money for something and then not doing the job.''
The future of Heilig's 26-year career in the House of Delegates has been uncertain since he was diagnosed last fall with a degenerative eye condition.
He resigned from his law practice, but continued in the General Assembly this winter with the help of aides and colleagues who enlarged documents or read him portions of bills. His condition did not prevent him from chairing the House Corporations, Insurance and Banking Committee, which handles a docket of complex business legislation.
``It didn't hinder me as much as I thought it might,'' he said.
Heilig said his extended sojourn near Santa Fe is drawing to a close, and that he will return to Norfolk the first week in July. He said he has kept up with his General Assembly duties by forwarding his mail and keeping in touch with his legislative assistant.
Another Norfolk delegate, Republican Thelma Drake, said several of Heilig's constituents have turned to her for help because they have been unable to reach him.
``I've had people call me and say, `I know you're not my delegate, but I have a problem and my delegate is not here,' '' she said.
Republicans say they have a smoking gun: a document that Heilig filed in his divorce case listing his address in Glorieta, N.M.
GOP officials say the document proves Heilig left town and established a permanent residence out West.
Heilig said he provided the New Mexico address simply so court officials could reach him while he was away.
``I don't know why people can't go on a vacation,'' he said. ``I could have gone to France for the summer. That doesn't make you an official French resident.''
Heilig said he is leasing a home with an option to buy. But he said he has taken no step - such as applying for a driver's license or paying income taxes - indicating an intention to establish a permanent residence in New Mexico.
The Republicans' claim could be bolstered by a 1995 Roanoke Circuit Court case involving Del. C. Richard Cranwell, a Democrat and majority leader in the House. A judge accepted an address listed on Cranwell's divorce papers as evidence of his residency.
Attorney General James S. Gilmore III, a Republican, is looking into the status of Heilig's seat.
``When we get all the facts, we will issue an opinion,'' said Mark Miner, a Gilmore spokesman. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Norfolk Del. George Heilig Jr. says his stay in New Mexico is almost
over, and that he will return to Norfolk in July.
KEYWORDS: REPUBLICAN PARTY VIRGINIA by CNB