
DATE: Tuesday, September 30, 1997           TAG: 9709300273

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

TYPE: DECISION '97

SOURCE: BY JEFFREY S. HAMPTON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY                    LENGTH:  100 lines

FRIENDS COMPETE FOR COUNCIL SEAT IN 2ND WARD

The candidates for the 2nd Ward council seat, Linda Barrett and Jeannie Young, are friends and have plenty in common.

Both are stay-at-home moms heavily involved in their respective neighborhoods. Both are quick to smile and have personalities their friends describe as ``never seen a stranger.''

They even say nice things about each other in the heat of a political contest.

``To be honest, I think either one of us would do a good job,'' said Young, a 32-year-old mother of two and wife of a Elizabeth City police detective. Young runs a day-care center from her home.

``Jeannie and I share the same views,'' said Barrett, a 46-year-old wife and mother of five. ``We're looking for the same things.''

Neither candidate has ever held a political office. Barrett ran unsuccessfully against Zack Robertson for a council seat in 1995.

Even some of their basic philosophies of life are similar.

``My mother taught all of her children that in order to get what you want you have to go out and work for it,'' said Barrett, a native of New Bern. She moved to Elizabeth City seven years ago. ``The only person you should rely on is yourself.''

``My daddy told us no matter what you have, as long as you take pride in yourself, you have everything,'' said Young, a self-professed country girl from West Virginia. She moved to Elizabeth City from Hertford one year ago. ``I believe in the old school. I have high morals and I respect and treat people as I would want to be treated.''

Their campaigns, however, are not based on who can be the nicest.

Barrett and Young both say drug abuse is the No. 1 problem facing Elizabeth City.

Barrett is deeply involved in community watch programs and the Community Police Leadership Group. She has been endorsed by the Inner City Forum, a local organization that champions political issues favorable to lower income blacks.

``Drugs are the most pressing issue,'' Barrett said. She wants to see continued cooperation between the community and police.

Barrett lives on West Burgess Street on the edge of Sawyertown, where several crack houses have been shut down in recent months. West Burgess Street is quiet, but just a few blocks over were streets with some of the highest crime rates in the city.

One of the most effective efforts in the area involved landlords cleaning up rundown properties that were havens fordrug dealers. Barrett wants to pursue that course further.

``I think it's a matter of asking people to do things,'' Barrett said. ``The chief (Police Chief Michael Lloyd) has done an excellent job over here.''

Barrett said Elizabeth City needs more jobs, especially for young people.

``Finding jobs or recreation for young people might get them off the streets,'' she said. ``I think we need more parental involvement.''

Young is also an active member of the Community Police Leadership Group. The group has been successful, but more community involvement is needed, she said.

``We need to educate people more,'' she said. The program allows citizens to ride in patrol cars with police.

Young has received the endorsement of the Albemarle Chapter of the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association.

She also wants to improve street drainage after heavy rains. Engineers have tried for decades to find a way to keep some low-lying streets in the area from flooding.

``There is something we can do,'' Young said. ``They are real close to finding a cure for cancer. I think they can solve a drainage problem. We should never stop looking for a answer.''

Based on history, Barrett is a long shot to win. The 2nd Ward has not elected a black council member in anyone's memory. In the 2nd Ward, white voters outnumber black voters 1,383 to 550.

Barrett and Young see themselves as representatives for all people.

``We need to put aside this separation thing,'' Barrett said. ``I think a lot of people are tired of not seeing results. The people don't seem to think enough is being done.''

``The only thing that stands out about me is I am a committed citizen,'' Young said. ``I want to fight the battles of the common people. I will always give you an honest answer. It may not be what you want to hear, but you'll know it will be the honest truth.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

ELIZABETH CITY - WARD 2

Color photos

LINDA BARRETT

Occupation: Homemaker.

Community Involvement: President of the Burgess Street Community

Watch. Member of the Community Police Leadership Group.

Political experience: Ran against Zack Robertson for 2nd Ward seat

in 1995.

JEANNIE YOUNG

Occupation: Owner and operator of Young Ones Day Care.

Community involvement: Former den leader for Cub Scout pack. Member

of the Community Police Leadership Group. Member of the Elizabeth