DATE: Wednesday, October 22, 1997           TAG: 9710210401

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: Neighborhood Exchange

TYPE: Public Life 
SOURCE: BY MIKE KNEPLER, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   63 lines

CITIZENS QUESTION CANDIDATES, THEMSELVES

James Koziana isn't certain anymore that smaller government is always better government.

A scientist who usually deals with hard facts, Koziana recently began to explore the equations of politics by participating in a weekly group discussing the 1997 Virginia elections.

``It's taken me out of the idealized world and put me more in the real world,'' said the 44-year-old Suffolk resident.

He now ponders what it means for Virginia to be 43rd nationally in state funding per college student. He wonders how that ranking affects Virginia's ability to compete for growing corporations.

``I still want to see less government,'' Koziana said. ``But this is telling me that I can't have less government when you have competition from the other states.''

Koziana is one of about 15 regulars in the Your Voice/Your Vote discussion group. The sessions were organized by a news-media partnership of The Virginian-Pilot, WHRO, WVEC-TV and Local News on Cable.

Since mid-September, the diverse group has wrestled with issues facing Virginia, especially in Hampton Roads. The personal property tax. Transportation. Jobs. Welfare. Crime. Education. Political leadership.

The ``cogitation,'' as Koziana calls the discourse, often carries into the parking lot after meetings.

Some opinions change, as the citizens listen to each other's thoughts and experiences. More often, new questions arise.

Koziana has reexamined his relationship with government. He is a doctoral student with a research assistantship in oceanography at Old Dominion University. State and federal sources cover his tuition.

``I've been saying in the past that I haven't been using the system, but I really am,'' Koziana said, acknowledging government's role. ``How do I justify that?

``I really have a problem with that. But it's helped my career path because that's where the jobs were.''

His work has helped the world better understand climate changes. But Koziana asks whether he is only rationalizing his reliance on government sources. ``It's a toughy,'' he said.

Edward Brown, 27, of Portsmouth, a student at Norfolk State University, wants smaller government, too. But he justifies his state grants, scholarships and federally subsidized loans by noting his intention to become a public-school teacher.

``Sometimes government needs to come in and empower people,'' he said. ``Student loans empower someone to one day be an asset to the community.''

But Brown and Koziana agree that face-to-face talk among citizens can change one's perspective.

Brown, who wants strong penalties against criminals, says he now also values ``investing more money in crime prevention.''

Both men also have refocused their ideals about smaller government.

They think politicians would be wise to involve more people in solving community problems.

We have plenty of public hearings,'' Koziana said. ``But we don't have `Let's roll up our sleeves and talk this over.' '' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

James Koziana...

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