THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 17, 1995 TAG: 9503170557
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE KNEPLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
Mayor Paul D. Fraim moved Thursday toward setting a new tone in relations between City Hall and residents by promising neighborhood involvement in more policy decisions.
Fraim said he would try to ``open up avenues between citizens, community groups, business organizations and City Hall.'' The mayor made his comments at his first quarterly meeting with civic league presidents, part of his new outreach program. Much of the discussion concerned the competition between downtown economic development and neighborhood improvement.
But the mayor also tried to frame his comments in concerns about nationwide cynicism of government and democracy.
``There's this sense of disconnect which is occurring between citizens, not just in this city but with citizens all over the country, about their government and their democracy,'' Fraim said.
Some who attended were pleased with Fraim's initial steps.
``I am so proud of being here,'' said Joshua Paige, president of the Poplar Halls Civic League. ``I feel I am part of democracy now.''
Others remained skeptical about the mayor's ability to translate philosophy into meaningful action. by CNB