THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 20, 1995 TAG: 9507200370
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NAGS HEAD LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. said Wednesday that despite the Virginia legislature's refusal to accept an agreement to settle the decade-long dispute over Lake Gaston, he is still hopeful the compromise will win approval in Richmond.
Last week, North Carolina filed documents in federal court questioning Virginia Beach's need for Lake Gaston water.
``We feel very, very badly for Virginia that they could not get together to agree to the compact,'' Hunt said. ``We had no choice but to go to court again to protect the interest of the people of North Carolina. But we still remain committed to the compact, and hope that when the Virginia General Assembly meets this fall, or after the first of the year, they will agree to it.''
Turning to politics, Hunt said it is too early to begin formal campaigning for re-election. The 1996 gubernatorial race is about 15 months away.
``Our friends want us to run, and we have a unified, strong group of supporters,'' Hunt said.
About 75 people attended a reception for Hunt after Wednesday's christening of the ferry Thomas A. Baum. Hunt said education and the economy will be the key questions in the 1996 race.
``The issues center on whether or not this state has moved forward, whether the kids of this state are getting a good start on their education and whether we're training a world-competitive work force,'' Hunt said. ``You also have to look at how the bridges, roads and ferries of this state have improved. Education and infrastructure are how you grow an economy, and we've improved both.''
Hunt said he hasn't given much thought to the possibility that the same anti-incumbency backlash that swept the country in 1994 may hit again next year.
``I think the only thing you can do is run on your record,'' he said. ``I think our record on improving schools, roads and bridges and the economy of this state speaks for itself. The relationship I've built with the General Assembly and the Board of Transportation have been very positive, especially for the Northeastern part of the state.''
One of Hunt's potential opponents in 1996, Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot, has said the race will be decided, in part, on who truly represents the conservative values of the state. He has called Hunt a liberal in conservative clothing.
``The people of North Carolina know what I stand for, building the economy, lower taxes, improving the schools and the infrastructure, making sure our children know right from wrong,'' Hunt said. ``The things that the people of North Carolina believe in are the things that I believe in.''
KEYWORDS: LAKE GASTON PIPELINE WATER SUPPLY PLAN by CNB