
DATE: Thursday, October 2, 1997             TAG: 9710020558

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1 LOCAL EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: BY ROGER CHESLEY, CORRESPONDENT 

DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY                    LENGTH:  117 lines

CHALLENGERS TOUT CHANGES IN FOURTH

All three candidates in the Fourth Ward election are Democrats, and all three sound similar themes when asked about the issues.

The difference is that the two challengers say it's time for a change in leadership.

Councilman A.C. Robinson Jr. is bidding to retain his seat against Carlotta Jordon, a political novice, and retired police Capt. William O. ``Olie'' Leary in Tuesday's nonpartisan election.

Creating jobs, improving roads and drainage systems, and spurring development are goals all three candidates embrace.

But Leary, the lone white candidate in the heavily black ward, said he would rather lose than see Robinson re-elected.

``If some people feel they need someone of their own race to represent them, vote for Carlotta Jordan - someone with new ideas and perspective. We need a change,'' said Leary.

Robinson, 55, counters that he has accomplished much for the city.

He points to his work on the city-county Economic Development Commission, and he says he'll continue the push to help businesses relocate to Elizabeth City. He said he also advocates development of the waterfront, and he'd like a bandstand rebuilt there.

Robinson is pastor of the 25-member New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. He has a doctoral degree in divinity and humanities from London Institute (England), a master of science degree in education, guidance and counseling from Old Dominion University, and a bachelor of science degree in biology from Elizabeth City State University.

He retired as the university's top finance officer in 1995.

After he was re-elected in 1993, his challenger alleged that he had used Elizabeth City State vans to take students to the polls. A lengthy certification by the state found nothing improper, and Robinson said he used his own vans.

The U.S. Justice Department mandated the ward system in 1987, ruling that the city's earlier at-large elections had discriminated against black voters. Robinson won the seat that year and has served ever since.

The longevity of the Fourth Ward incumbents is one reason why the Inner City Forum has endorsed Jordan. The other incumbent, Myrtle Rivers, is in her second four-year term and is not up for re-election this year.

``Residents there say the current members don't represent them,'' said Paul A. Bryant, president of the forum, which deals with political and human rights issues.

Robinson, meanwhile, has been endorsed by the Progressive Ministerial Alliance, an interdenominational group of which Robinson is a member.

``We think he's the best candidate,'' said the Rev. Robert E. Mullen, the alliance president. ``He has the experience, and he's a very good thinker.''

Jordan, 53, said she is running because ``those of us in the Fourth Ward don't feel we have a voice on City Council.''

She said she'd try to reduce the ``exorbitant'' utility costs residents pay, as well as drainage problems during flooding.

Jordan, who cares full-time for her ill mother, has a B.A. from Livingstone College in Salisbury and also studied human resources at the New School for Social Research in New York.

Leary, 52, was a narcotics officer on the city police force and established its criminal investigations division. He retired in 1996 after a 30-year career. He said he's running partly because black and white residents asked him to seek office.

``They felt it was a time for a change, and they wanted to know if I would represent everyone,'' said Leary, who declined to identify the citizens.

He supports crime prevention and better drug rehabilitation programs.

Leary also wants to reduce potholes, such as those on Parkview Drive near Elizabeth City State University: ``It's a front-end alignment repairman's dream.''

Leary has an associate degree from Beaufort County Technical Institute and has studied criminal justice at ECSU.

The Police Benevolent Association endorsed Leary, citing his pro-law enforcement background, said Sam Keith, president of the Albemarle chapter. Keith is an investigator with the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Department. Leary works as a part-time investigator with the department.

There are 3,027 registered voters in the Fourth Ward, according to the Pasquotank County Board of Elections. Of that number, 2,157 voters are black and 843 are white.

Some 2,377 voters are registered Democrats, 329 are Republicans and 321 are independents. ILLUSTRATION: Elizabeth City - Ward 4

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A.C. ROBINSON JR.

Occupation: Pastor, New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church.

Community Involvement: City Council appointee on the Elizabeth City

and Pasquotank County Economic Development Commission; member,

Redevelopment Plan for the Fairgrounds Community.

Political Experience: The incumbent. First elected to City Council

in 1987, has served three terms. Was mayor pro-tem from December

1991 to Feb. 1, 1994.

What is top priority?: ``The top priority is job enhancement for the