THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 8, 1996 TAG: 9602060104
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALEX MARSHALL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
With 22 years on the City Council, and roughly a half-century of public service, Councilman Mason C. Andrews might have easily chosen to retire to the sound of farewells and testimonial dinners.
Instead, Andrews, 76, has decided to run for re-election again and, should he win, endure four more years of what can be bruising and tough political work.
The reason, Andrews said, is that he believes the city needs the stability of his experience and viewpoints, especially at a time when the council is changing fast because of the influx of new council members under the ward system.
If re-elected, Andrews said he will continue to work for downtown development as well as improved quality of life in the neighborhoods.
The priorities of the city, Andrews said, should be public safety, education and economic development. These will benefit both traditional business concerns, like downtown redevelopment, as well as the neighborhoods' desire for better quality of life.
``Our challenges continue to be public safety, education and economic development,'' Andrews said. ``All of these are centered upon the quality of life in the neighborhoods and efficient and responsive operation of the city government.''
Andrews is one of the four council members first elected under the old at-large system who remain on council. With the planned retirement of Councilman Rev. Joseph N. Green, that will leave the old at-large members in a minority for the first time, even if Andrews wins re-election.
In general, Andrews has been a stronger backer of downtown development projects and of a traditional approach to the council-manager form of government, where the council allows the city manager to run the city and does not interfere directly in its operations.
The ward system has put more emphasis on neighborhood development and a more populist, responsive style of government. Council members elected under the ward system - W. Randy Wright, Paul R. Riddick and Herbert M. Collins - have involved themselves more in the details of city administration.
No one else has yet to announce for Andrews' seat. He would be a formidable opponent, with two decades of experience plus considerable financial resources from longtime supporters.
But Andrews also has critics, and possible political rivals, who believe he ignores neighborhood interests and puts too much emphasis on big downtown projects like Nauticus.
Some business interests less tied to downtown, like the Norfolk Federation of Business Districts, have opposed the MacArthur Center as a subsidy of their competition. Andrews has been a strong supporter of the mall.
Born in Norfolk, Andrews has been a longtime leader in the city, both in government and as a faculty member of the Eastern Virginia Medical School. He served as mayor of the city from 1992 to 1994. He is 76 years old and was first elected to council in 1974.
Besides his work in government, he led the development of the Eastern Virginia Medical School, and was chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 1974 to 1990. He has been active in numerous public service organizations over the years.
``I believe that I would bring to this responsibility knowledge of the operation of this city's government and familiarity with its people, neighborhoods and organizations,'' Andrews said.
He says he should be credited with leading the revitalization of the downtown waterfront which has increased the tax base of downtown and the number of jobs located there.
He was co-chairman of the task force on public housing which recently recommended that public housing be focused on assisting its residents to economic independence, rather than becoming a permanent home.
Andrews served as mayor from 1992 to 1994. He was replaced as mayor, which is elected by the seven council members, by then Councilman Paul Fraim after Fraim allied with Wright, Riddick and Collins for a majority of votes.
Andrews has at times clashed with the new members of council elected under the ward system. But Councilman Riddick, perhaps the most outspoken of the new council members, said publicly that he hoped Andrews would seek an additional term. ILLUSTRATION: [Photo]
MASON C. ANDREWS
Office sought: City Council seat, superward six.
Occupation: faculty member, Eastern Virginia Medical School; City
Council member.
Age: 76.
Education: Maury High School graduate; Princeton University,
bachelor's degree; John Hopkins University, medical doctorate.
Community service: Mayor, vice mayor, City Council, planning
commissioner. Founding chairman of authority that established
Eastern Virginia Medical School. Board of directors, past and
present: Planning Council, Chamber of Commerce, United Communities
Fund, Urban League. Director, First Virginia Bank. Past president,
Norfolk Academy of Medicine, Virginia Obstretrical and Gynecological
Society.
KEYWORDS: NORFOLK CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES PROFILE by CNB