DATE: Friday, April 18, 1997                TAG: 9704180007

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Editorial  

                                            LENGTH:   40 lines

NO PUFFERY NEEDED CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL SHOULD LET CREDENTIALS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

Virginia Beach Sen. Kenneth Stolle brings an admirable record as a lawyer, legislator and former police officer to his race for attorney general. But Stolle has also added a few unnecessary flourishes to his resume.

A self-taught lawyer, Stolle notes in brochures that he has represented clients ``before every court in the land, including the Supreme Court.'' In fact, Stolle has had only one client whose case reached the Supreme Court. At most in that case, he responded to a routine motion filed by the opposing attorney.

Stolle seems to have been aware that he was gilding the lily by mentioning the high court. He acknowledges consciously using the word ``represented'' rather than ``appeared.''

Second, the senator speaks frequently of his ``criminology degree.'' In fact, he holds a degree in interdisciplinary studies from Georgia's Berry College, which does not offer a criminology major.

Stolle says he built his interdisciplinary program around his interest in criminal justice. But considering the dearth of such courses in Berry's catalog, it is unlikely that his degree represents the equivalent of a full-fledged criminology program. He should help clear the confusion by releasing his transcript, which he yet has not done.

Finally, Stolle calls himself the chief patron and author of the governor's highly popular legislation abolishing parole. To claim authorship of legislation that passed through many hands and drafts is a reach. That Stolle was ``chief patron'' is accurate and is also proof that he deserves a measure of the credit for passage of the law.

Candidates for high office necessarily put their best foot forward. But they should do so without embellishment. By engaging in such puffery, Stolle creates questions where none need exist. As a highly decorated police officer who has had a large impact in a short time in the General Assembly, Stolle can and should run just as he is.

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