THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 9, 1996 TAG: 9610090437
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Decision '96
At Issue: Education
SOURCE: BY MEREDITH COHN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 157 lines
A concerned citizen. That's the label Clinton Jenkins places on himself.
That's the title he uses when he goes to meetings of the City Council or the school board seeking funding, space or volunteers for new programs for Suffolk's kids - the ones from his neighborhood, the ones from low-income housing complexes and the ones who hang out at the shopping center after school while their parents are at work.
Jenkins has three young daughters, but considers all the city's kids his own. So when any of them seems to lack enthusiasm for learning, he gets involved.
``I give input, my opinion, on what the community needs,'' Jenkins said. ``I'm out here, I know.''
Jenkins, 34, uses official city meetings and unofficial community gatherings to call attention to the kids. He says they need tutoring so they can catch up, computer classes so they can excel and football or tennis so they can experience team spirit.
``Kids need structured programs to help them along,'' he said. ``The programs should be in many areas like sports, academics or hobbies. Not every kid wants to play football. And kids interested in computers may not have one at home.''
Jenkins refuses to take credit for all the new youth programs in Suffolk, but they bear his mark.
During a summer program for kids that introduced them to arts and crafts and sports, Jenkins served on the board of directors.
When kids from the Parker Riddick Housing Community were looking for something to do, Jenkins helped organize movies and lunches and a sleepover.
At John F. Kennedy Middle School, a new community center provides academic tutors, sports activities and attention after school. Jenkins, who pushed the idea of a facility with city leaders, offered to teach computer classes.
Even Jenkins' company, Youth Care Services, is geared toward development of programs for kids.
Jenkins said parents and citizens must ensure that their voices are heard by government before policy, laws and initiatives are created. In turn, government - which is supposed to represent citizens - has a responsibility to listen to what they have to say, he said.
``I have concern for our youth,'' he said. ``I want to help them achieve their goals, their dreams. . . . If government isn't going in the direction that the community wants it to go, the people need to say so, get involved.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Michael Kestner
Clinton Jenkins has helped develop after-school and summer programs
for children in Suffolk that focus on education, the arts, computers
and athletics. ``If government isn't going in the direction that the
community wants it to go, the people need to say so, get involved.''
MICHAEL KESTNER/The Virginian-Pilot
``I have concern for our youth,'' says Clinton Jenkins, father of
three. ``I want to help them achieve their goals, their dreams.''
His question: What would candidates ask parents?
Photos
[of all the candidates]
Graphic
JENKINS' QUESTION FOR THE CANIDATES:
How would you go about seeking input from parents and members of
the community when making decisions that affect education? What
would you ask them?
John Warner's response: ``My office receives hundreds of letters
and phone calls daily from constituents on the various issues before
the Congress. Additionally, when there are specific concerns that
Virginians have, like those of parents and members of a community
regarding some aspect of education, I am always available to meet -
either in my office in Washington or as I travel on a regular basis
throughout the state. As I ask of all constituents, my questions
are: What is the issue, problem or opportunity? What has been tried
and how has it worked or not worked? What is it you want the federal
government to do, or not do? In the final analysis, my objective is
to provide as much constructive, positive assistance to parents,
educators and communities without impeding their ability to retain
control over the decisions affecting the education of their
children.''
Mark Warner's response: ``I would get out and travel around the
Commonwealth, listening to what people think. I have promised to
spend time in every one of Virginia's 135 counties and cities during
my first year in office. Because Virginia is so close to Washington,
our representatives should be more accessible than politicians from
just about any other state. The best solutions aren't coming from
Washington, and I will take the common-sense views of Virginia's
citizens to the Senate.''
House
2nd District
Owen B. Pickett's response: ``Parents interested in their
children's future are an important source of information about
programs suitable to serve their child's needs. I regularly
participate in events at schools in my district and acquire this
information first-hand from parents. Unfortunately, many high school
students do not rely upon or follow suggestions about career options
offered by their parents. Guidance counselors in high schools can
help fill this vacuum. Job fairs in school and similar events can
acquaint students with a wide variety of career opportunities.''
John F. Tate's response: ``I believe that decisions that affect
education are best made at the local level by parents, teachers,
school boards and city councils. I will work to keep the federal
government from usurping the decision-making power of those
individuals.''
3rd district
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott's response: ``I've had many issues forums
on the issue of education where I've received input from parents,
educators and other experts in education. I have also gone out to
the public frequently, and I have had conversations with people on
many issues, including education. I'm in close contact with
organizations that represent parents, teachers and other experts in
education. When legislation comes up, I try to seek input on it. And
I also seek input on what we should be doing in addition to the
pending legislation.''
Elsie Goodwyn Holland's response: ``I would have town hall
meetings and invite them to come. And I would have them in a lot of
localities. Congressman Scott asks us to attend meetings in Newport
News or in Portsmouth, and it's just impossible from here
(Richmond). I would have more of them and more frequently. And I
would not ask them anything, I would have them ask me. It's their
school. I would entertain a dialogue. It would be an exchange of
ideas - how they could get more involved, rather than what I could
do. I would get them in touch with local officials.''
4th District
Norman Sisisky's response: ``Many parents already are involved in
the education of their children through PTAs and interaction with
teachers. Obviously, it's important that parents get to know the
teachers and administrators who are responsible for their children
during most of the day. Parents need to be full participants in
their children's education. The localities really should be the ones
to decide what they should teach and how they should teach it in
schools.''
Anthony J. Zevgolis' response: ``I don't know how many times our
current congressman ever went to a school board meeting. But one of
the things he should do, if not able to attend, is to hold a town
meeting on education. Certainly he has the ability to send out a
survey directly to peoples' homes asking for their input and
priority. Would you want to see schools privatized? Do you believe
in school choice? Should teachers have tenure? Should the federal
government dictate what your children learn in schools, or should
the state and local governments and you decide what children need to
learn?''
KEYWORDS: U.S. SENATE RACE U.S. CONGRESS RACE CANDIDATE
ISSUES ELECTION by CNB