THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 26, 1996 TAG: 9606260001
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 31 lines
If someone in Virginia's 86th District wants to talk to his representative in the House of Delegates it will have to be by way of a long-distance telephone call. To New Mexico.
Democrat George Heilig Jr. is living out West now, temporarily, he says. But he is renting a house in Glorieta, N.M. with an option to buy, and has no apparent permanent address in his own Norfolk district.
When Heilig filed his divorce papers using the New Mexico return address, his Republican opponents seized the opportunity, calling upon the GOP governor to declare Heilig's seat in Richmond vacant and schedule a special election to fill it.
There is precedent for this action. After Del. Richard Cranwell of Roanoke was divorced, a judge - over Cranwell's objections - allowed the address on his divorce papers to serve as proof of his residency at a specific address.
We sympathize with Heilig's health and personal problems. Yet it appears that after 24 years in the Virginia House of Delegates he no longer has his heart - let alone his body - in the 86th District.
Constituents complain that Heilig is difficult to reach. How can the district be well served by someone who is out of touch with the local people and their problems and concerns?
While it may be premature to call a special election, Heilig should do the right thing: Either return to the district and take up residence and his duties, or resign so his constituents can be well-represented in Richmond. by CNB