THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 27, 1996 TAG: 9610270315
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE KNEPLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 68 lines
The economic impact and opportunities from the Navy's privatization efforts will be the topic of a ``grass-roots regionalism'' forum, featuring Rear Adm. Robert Cole, commander of Naval Shore Facilities Atlantic.
The forum will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Ruffner Middle School, 489 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk. It is being sponsored by the Hampton Roads Coalition of Civic Organizations and Baby Steps, a women's advocacy group.
The event is part of an initiative by neighborhood groups to educate the public on regional issues and help citizens have a say.
``If you don't get the citizens involved (regional cooperation) will never work. . . . . It's got to come from the bottom up, not the top down,'' said Talmadge Jones, president of the Hampton Roads Coalition of Civic Organizations and president of the Suffolk Federation of Civic Leagues.
The civic organizations chose Navy privatization as a forum issue because of the Navy's long-standing economic impact on the region, which Cole said was $11 billion a year.
Cole also spoke Oct. 3 to a regional forum organized by the League of Women Voters of South Hampton Roads. There, Cole outlined efforts by the Navy to seek more opportunities for privatizing its support operations.
For example, he said, ``the military should not be in the housing business. We don't know how to do it well. We don't want to be saddled with the upkeep and the maintenance. We can't afford it any longer.''
Cole also said, ``We need to do more public-private ventures, where you come on our soil, provide services for a percentage of that profit'' with some revenues going to improve local naval facilities.
Privatization also is an important jobs issue to women, especially those with low income or looking for work, said Carolyn Lincoln, head of Baby Steps, which is co-sponsoring the forum.
``What we want to do is link the women and the businesses and the opportunities,'' Lincoln said.
The forum also will hear from Randy Collins, policy director for Lt. Gov. Donald Beyer. He's expected to talk about educational issues and their relation to economic development, Lincoln said.
Other officials will be there to answer questions on transportation and other issues facing Hampton Roads. They will be Arthur Collins, head of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, and Michael Townes, head of PENTRAN, the Peninsula's transit system. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
FORUM
Forum: Navy privatization, its impact and opportunities for
Hampton Roads, with speaker Rear Adm. Robert Cole, commander of
Naval Shore Facilities Atlantic Fleet. Sponsored by the Hampton
Roads Coalition of Civic Organizations and Baby Steps, a women's
advocacy group.
When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Where: Ruffner Middle School, 489 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk.
For information: Carolyn Lincoln, Baby Steps, 628-1538.
Coming up
Healthy Community Summit '96, as part of the Plan 2007 regional
strategy for economic development and improved quality of life.
The forum will feature Gruffie Clough, a senior associate with
the National Civic League. She will speak on ``The Art of
Implementation.''
The all-day session is Nov. 21 at Norfolk State University. Call
627-2315.
Citizen Challenge: Jobs and Hampton Roads, a series of public
discussions organized by the Community Networking Association.
The program is being prepared for early 1997. To participate in
planning or otherwise contribute, call 495-8301. by CNB