THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 5, 1996 TAG: 9607030235
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: IDA KAY'S PORTSMOUTH
SOURCE: IDA KAY JORDAN
LENGTH: 94 lines
Between 400 and 500 people crowded into City Hall for the swearing in of Mayor Jim Holley and three City Council members starting new four-year terms last Sunday.
Holley, always quick to take advantage of circumstances to put a spin on his speeches, looked out over the people pushed together from one end of the first floor to the other.
``We come together as a people, and this brings us closer together,'' he said. ``We are the Portsmouth family.''
Holley's right. When people get to know each other better, some of the things that divide us seem less important. And the quickest way to get acquainted is to be crowded into a space where there is no way to avoid talking to each other.
The ceremony, originally scheduled outdoors on the City Hall plaza, was moved indoors because of the threat of rain. Everybody patiently - and politely - filed into the crowded space looking for a seat. There was a lot of fellowship.
In his speech, Holley talked about Portsmouth's history, starting out addressing ``my fellow citizens of this historic city.'' That, of course, especially caught my ear.
``Can you believe how rich the Portsmouth history is?'' he asked rhetorically. ``It can make your flesh crawl when you step on the cobbles in Olde Towne and think who has been there before you.''
He also mentioned the historical cemeteries of the city where men who fought for all sorts of freedom are buried.
``Portsmouth people have been strong,'' he said.
Then he asked his audience another question:
``When are you going to give your talent back to your city?''
One of Holley's favorite comments when he was mayor more than eight years ago resurfaced in his speech:
``Volunteerism is the highest form of patriotism.
``You must bring your sticks to the fire,'' he said.
Holley called on his ``family'' to ``forget about the campaign'' in which he won the mayor's seat.
``All the rhetoric has died away, and this is when the job begins,'' he said. ``It ain't over. It's just started.''
The first thing, he said, is ``starting today to feel good about each other.''
That's pure Holley.
Last time he held the city's top job, his forte was cheerleading to make people feel good about Portsmouth and about each other. I hope it works as well this time.
``We're family,'' he said - several times, in fact. ``We have our differences, but we don't have to be angry at each other.''
Holley issued a challenge to the city's churches, which number more than 200 in 30 square miles.
``We want the churches to remember they're in Portsmouth, too,'' he said.
Holley said he intends for Portsmouth to be ``in the forefront of regionalism.''
``We're going to take our rightful place in the region, starting tomorrow morning,'' he said.
Holley's speech was a challenge to all of us.
``What legacy will we leave for those who come after us?'' he asked.
Overall, it was a good speech, and I got the feeling that Holley was trying hard to get across some messages to his ``family.''
The important thing now is for the ``family'' to get the messages.
Portsmouth has great potential, but it needs to get beyond infighting and turn that energy to constructive projects to move faster into the future.
People have to let go of some old notions, not the least of which is racial bigotry. Sometimes the energy that goes into setting up straw men to make political points with illinformed constituents absolutely boggles my mind. It happens among blacks and whites alike, not only in Portsmouth but also across the country.
No doubt, there are all sorts of ``wrongs'' in Portsmouth and everywhere else. But a lot of them go unaddressed while so-called leaders are putting time and energy into false issues.
It's always advantageous for a few to set the majority against each other. While the bickering goes on among the many, few are reaping the rewards.
Often the people are so caught up in the little things that they lose sight of the major problems. That seems to happen a lot. People have trouble seeing beyond themselves. They often miss the big picture of Portsmouth's future.
The Vision 2005 strategy is a good example. Some who don't have an interest in the area immediately affected by the plan have taken potshots at the plan. They haven't bothered to understand the premise of economic development that drives the plan, which is one of the best things I've seen happen in Portsmouth over the 17 years I have lived here.
If Holley can get all of his ``family'' going in the same direction to make the visions work, he will have vindicated himself in the eyes of those skeptical of his return to the mayor's office.
But he needs help from all of us. And that was the real challenge he laid down Sunday. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MIKE HEFFNER
``We're family. We have our differences, but we don't have to be
angry at each other,'' Mayor James Holley said in his speech after
his swearing in. by CNB