THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 21, 1996 TAG: 9603190078
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By TONY WHARTON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
Does Norfolk need a fifth generation of the Summers family on its City Council?
E. Toles Summers thinks so.
Summers, 34, is the son of a 20-year council veteran, the late Robert E. Summers, who left the council in 1986 and died in 1992. Members of the Summers family have served on the council since 1855.
``I've been around politics all my life,'' E. Toles Summers said. ``And I didn't see anyone else stepping forward that had my perspective.''
Summers is running to unseat another council veteran, Mason C. Andrews, who has served for 22 years. Summers believes it's time for change.
``I see a point in time in the city where a new direction needs to be taken,'' he said. ``I can bring the council more objectivity and independent thinking that isn't there.
``Mr. Andrews has been very focused on downtown development. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, but some neighborhoods feel more resources could have been sent their way.''
Despite his position as a challenger, Summers is not quick to criticize the city.
Of MacArthur Center, for instance, he said, ``I'm not necessarily against it. It's a very emotional issue.
``To come out opposed to it would be very politically opportunistic. There are groups where you could win support that way. But I don't think that's a stand I would want to take.''
What does he think of MacArthur Center, then?
``Well, I'm like everyone else - gee, it'd be nice to have a big shopping center,'' Summers said. ``We all have wants and desires but whether we can afford them or not is a different matter. Can the city of Norfolk afford this project?''
He said he would like to see the city's files on the mall opened up so that everyone could see for themselves.
As a Norfolk native, Summers has lived in several parts of the city. He graduated from Norfolk Collegiate School in 1979 and went to Hampden-Sydney College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in managerial economics in 1983.
He worked for his father's insurance agency until 1994, then formed his own, Summers Bonding and Insurance Marketing.
Summers is divorced and the father of two daughters. He lives off Little Creek Road on Wexford Terrace.
The council, Summers said, should be searching for ways to bring Norfolk's communities together.
``We need economic development that would not only bring jobs to Norfolk but the kinds that would bring families and children here,'' he said. ``And we must improve the schools to keep them here. We spend a lot of money, but we don't seem to get the results.''
Summers said he feels strongly about the role of children and young adults in Norfolk.
``We're the ones that are going to have to live here,'' he said. ``We should take part in our own future.''
Summers appears to have drawn some support from the city Republican committee. A number of leading Republicans signed his petitions, and Rob Catron, usually a consultant for conservative candidates, is managing Summers' campaign.
The City Council is officially non-partisan, but Democrats have dominated it for decades. Summers said he isn't trying to run as a Republican but would be ``fiscally conservative'' on the council, an identity staked out by his father as well. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
Photo
E. TOLES SUMMERS
Office sought: City Council seat, Superward 6.
Occupation: Insurance agent, Summers Bonding and Insurance
Marketing.
Age: 34.
Education: Norfolk Collegiate School graduate. Business degree,
Hampden-Sydney College.
Community service: Past member, Ghent Kiwanis Club. Fund-raiser
for United Way, YMCA, Norfolk Collegiate School.
KEYWORDS: NORFOLK CITY COUNCILMANIC RACE CANDIDATE
SUPERWARD 6 by CNB