DATE: Wednesday, June 18, 1997              TAG: 9706180545

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JOHN MURPHY, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   65 lines

BEACH TRIES TO DEEPEN RELATIONSHIP WITH CITIZENS

Citizens often deal with government as if it were a vending machine, city manager James Spore observed Tuesday.

They push taxes and fees into city coffers and expect service in return - usually without thought about their own responsibility for neighbors or the community, he said.

Spore and others Tuesday called on council members to forge a deeper relationship between Virginia Beach's government and its citizens, one in which it works with citizens instead of simply for them.

The effort should inspire a fuller sense of community and cooperation, the way barn raisings once did, Spore suggested.

To that end, city officials Tuesday proposed holding a series of ``community conversations'' where citizens and the council can hash out the future of Virginia Beach.

The first meeting, tentatively slated for September, would bring council members and residents together to talk about their shared needs, hopes and concerns for the city. Spore suggested the meetings be casual chats over pizza and soft drinks to which each council member would invite 10 citizens.

Another, in October, would involve city boards and commissions and their citizen invitees.

``It seems so elementary, but the the lack of communication is the root cause of many issues and problems,'' explained Oral Lambert, city chief of staff, who outlined the ``community conversation'' plan.

The briefing was part of a City Council work session at the Virginia Marine Science Museum.

``People are talking all the time,'' Lambert said, ``but not understanding what one another said.''

The community conversations would not replace public hearings, which are required by state law, but could supplement them, Lambert said.

In public hearings, he noted, residents often come to vent their frustrations for public plans.

During the conversations, city officials and citizens will be asked to listen as well as talk.

``It takes more than roads, schools and infrastructure to build a community,'' he said. ``We are talking about values, vision, a sense of community and a sense of belonging.''

Efforts at connecting citizens with their government are being tried by cities throughout the country, Lambert said.

But Virginia Beach may be one of the first to hold community conversations, he said.

Council members Tuesday tentatively approved the meetings. All agreed that the city could improve its communication with the public.

``I look forward to participating in it,'' Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf said. ``It will contribute to a sense of trust and pride.''

Councilwoman Louisa M. Strayhorn supported the meetings but cautioned that the council should agree on its own vision for the future to avoid infighting during the meetings.

Over the past two years the council and city staff have been fine-tuning a strategic plan, which sets goals for for Virginia Beach.

Goals include: economic vitality; quality physical environment; safe community; cultural and recreational opportunities; quality education and lifelong learning, and strengthening families.

None can be achieved unless Virginia Beach thinks and works as one community - a goal that will take many conversations to achieve, Lambert said.

``If we get talking to one another,'' he said, ``if there is a consensus, then that gives you something to work with and build support. . . We've got to take it one step at a time.''

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