THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, June 26, 1994                    TAG: 9406240213 
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER                     PAGE: 12    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY STEPHANIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: 940626                                 LENGTH: Medium 

MOORE CONTINUES TO ADAPT TO HER NEW ROLE AS CITY CLERK

``Every day has been good,'' said the new Chesapeake city clerk when asked of difficult experiences she has encountered here. ``I'm still learning, but everyone has been extremely helpful.''

{REST} In Portsmouth, as the city manager's secretary, she fiercely guarded the office, keeping unwanted guests at bay. In Chesapeake, she has a more public position - one that may require a different attitude.

``It will take me some time to learn how things are handled here,'' she said.

The first adjustment occurred in April, when her hiring was announced by Mayor William E. Ward. She laughed as she recalled how she responded.

``Thank you, Mayor Webb,'' she said, thinking mistakenly of Portsmouth Mayor Gloria Webb.

Currently, much of her time is being devoted to learning how this city council operates. There are several differences. For example, in Portsmouth, only the city manager presents items on the agenda. Here, the city clerk and city attorney also can introduce items for consideration.

But learning how the Chesapeake City Council operates behind the scenes is something Moore isn't sure she wants to delve into.

``This is a non-political office,'' she said. ``One of the biggest mistakes in this office would be taking a political stand.''

Her stand on any local issue isn't important, she said. ``It's City Council's actions that matter.''

In Portsmouth, she had been the deputy city clerk for three years before becoming secretary to Portsmouth City Manager V. Wayne Orton. She said Orton was a ``wonderful'' boss but she was determined to become a city clerk.

``I was looking for a different job,'' she said. ``I had become very interested in the role of city clerk.''

She took classes at Old Dominion University to qualify as a certified municipal clerk and has been working on her associate's degree in public administration at Tidewater Community College's Portsmouth campus.

Then, she looked to Chesapeake. The City Council had been looking for a new city clerk ever since Betty J. Callaway retired several months ago for medical reasons.

On April 12, Moore was hired at a salary of $42,500. She began her official duties June 1.

As city clerk, Moore is keeper of the city seal, which gets stamped on official documents, invitations and others. Moore also is responsible for storing and maintaining City Council minutes and other records.

``This is kind of the historical office of the city,'' she said.

Other duties include acting as host to visitors, aiding the City Council and acting as a liaison between citizens and city officials. She has help in Chief Deputy Clerk Deanna Tomlinson and deputy clerks Mary Wood and Elizabeth Pearsall.

Moore is a self-described Type-A personality who says she runs on two speeds: ``fast forward and stop.'' Her hours in the office are long - 60 hours or more a week.

``My New Year's resolution was that I was going out to lunch every day,'' she said. ``I've pretty much stuck to that. It gives you that break that you need.''

She also prepares heavily for presentations. Last month, before she sat at her first City Council meeting, she reviewed her speaking part several times.

``I practiced a lot at home and in the office,'' she said. ``I was concerned that my voice wouldn't project. Also, it's important to pronounce everyone's name correctly.''

After work, Moore heads for her home in Portsmouth.

``The first thing I do is take my shoes off and play with the cat,'' she said.

Moore grew up in Portsmouth and attended Cradock High School. She still lives there with her husband, Rad, a Virginia Beach city employee. She has a 24-year-old daughter, Kimberly Pate.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading and playing volleyball, softball and golf. She belongs to the Tidewater Volleyball Association's women's league. She and her husband also enjoy taking short trips out of town and heading toward the water.

Moore is currently looking for a house in Chesapeake and is eyeing the Great Bridge community directly across the street from City Hall.

``What I really like are the established neighborhood and the trees,'' she said. ``But this isn't something I'll rush into.''

by CNB