THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, April 22, 1996 TAG: 9604220035
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Decision '96
Part 2: the Issues - Virginia Beach Mayor and City Council\
SOURCE: BY KAREN WEINTRAUB, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 452 lines
Today the Virginian-Pilot continues a second week of special reporting leading up to municipal and school board elections on Tuesday, May 7.
The stories this week explore the issues citizens have raised and how the candidates respond to them.
In this second installment devoted to Virginia Beach we examine how the city's past growth has affected citizens' perception of their leaders.
If only the Green Line had held. If only city streets were a little less congested. If only there weren't so many look-alike strip malls and subdivisions.
If only someone at City Hall had been able to say no to developers, Virginia Beach would be a better place to live.
Or at least that's what many citizens think.
City leaders look at growth a little differently. They say they've done what they could to manage the city's boom.
No one could have withstood the pressure the council was under in the mid-80s. No one could have said no to shopping centers and developments that were legally permitted under the city's zoning code.
City leaders say they're doing what they can to add more development controls now while the rate of growth is at an all-time low.
As the May 7 election approaches, Virginia Beach citizens have an opportunity to tell their leaders what they think is missing; incumbents have a chance to tell citizens what they think they're doing right; and the few newcomers have a chance to say what they think they'd do better.
The City Council's vision won't be dramatically affected on Election Day. Changing the city's direction would take at least six council members, and only five council seats are up for grabs this spring - with just two of those hotly contested.
But candidates' forums are scheduled for almost every weeknight until the election, and the Planning Commission will hold 17 public meetings in May and June to get citizen input for its five-year review of the comprehensive plan.
In panel discussions set up by The Virginian-Pilot last month, a dozen citizens complained about what they saw as the council's lack of vision. They didn't have a specific idea of what kind of development they'd like better, but they know they don't like what they've got.
``This used to be a very, very beautiful city, and I think they could have done a better job developing it,'' said businesswoman Myong Chong, who grew up in the Beach.
``I've had friends come and visit, and they can't tell one part of the city from another because it's so laden with strip malls and town houses and home development.''
The panelists said they didn't understand why Virginia Beach had been allowed to grow so quickly or so haphazardly.
``I don't see any method to the madness,'' said Navy officer Ed Blind. ``You drive down Indian River Road and subdivisions are sprouting like mushrooms, but you still have the same two-lane little rinky-dink road with no shoulders. . . . And oh, by the way, in the next five or 10 years, hopefully, we'll build roads.''
But, while many residents think their city's leadership has been lacking, most city leaders think they're doing a great job at setting direction.
Last month, the City Council held its fourth semi-annual goal-setting retreat. Joined this time by the Planning Commission, the council honed its vision for a city that offers jobs, good housing and fun things to do for residents of all ages.
Council members say their vision - and the political cooperation needed to implement it - has never been stronger than in the past two years.
``To me, the plans are all laid out,'' said City Council member Linwood O. Branch III.
Last year, for instance, the council raised taxes to give money to farmers who agree not to develop their land.
And in late 1994, the council bought 1,200 acres of land off Princess Anne Road so it could limit development of an area once slated to become a mini-city with thousands of homes, shops and offices.
The council is much more concerned with aesthetics than it used to be, said council member Nancy K. Parker.
``There is at least some recognition of the fact that we have to create areas of beauty,'' said Parker. ``That does something to the quality and the lifestyle of the city.''
Most of the development that residents find offensive actually happened or was approved years ago, said Parker. ``What they're seeing is the ripple effect from what had occurred previously,'' she said.
Statistics seem to bear her out. The recession of the early '90s, military downsizing and the lack of a long-term reliable water supply have all slowed the city's growth dramatically in recent years.
Virginia Beach issued fewer housing permits in 1994 and 1995 than it had in any other year since it began keeping records in 1961.
The city's population increased by 52 percent during the 1970s, and by another 50 percent in the 1980s, but has grown only 8 percent since 1990.
The number of students in Virginia Beach's public schools grew by more than 3 percent per year between 1984 and 1989. Then, enrollment growth slipped to 2 percent per year, and since 1992, enrollment growth has hovered around 1 percent per year.
Any new projects under development now - such as Courthouse Estates on North Landing Road and the Wal-Mart on Princess Anne Road at Lynnhaven Parkway - were either approved before water restrictions took effect four years ago, or they comply with zoning restrictions laid out long ago.
The number of those already-approved water hookups is dwindling, though. And the supply of vacant land for middle-class, single-family houses is within a decade of drying up - even at the current pace, which is the slowest ever, according to numbers supplied by the Planning Department and the Department of Permits and Inspections.
But the demand for rampant growth is expected to return in the spring of 1998 when water is supposed to flow through the Lake Gaston pipeline.
To prepare against the onslaught, the council passed the Agricultural Reserve Program and is speeding up its efforts to draft a new comprehensive plan.
City Manager James K. Spore said every council has to find a balance between preserving what's already on the ground and encouraging quality growth.
``Our goal is to continue quality development so people have job opportunities and also so they have quality housing,'' he said. ``I think in any vibrant metropolitan area, the challenge is to have quality development as opposed to stopping all development or approving any development that comes along.''
Lyle Sumek, a Florida consultant who leads goal-setting retreats for more than 50 local governments around the country, said the Virginia Beach council is one of the most focused he's worked with.
``You've got a group of people who are really committed to the community,'' Sumek said. ``They may have different ideas of how to get where they want to go, but they really see their role as helping the community.''
But no matter how well-intentioned the council, there's always going to be a gap between what it is doing and what the citizens are seeing, Sumek said.
Council member Louisa M. Strayhorn, who has held monthly ``town hall'' meetings since taking office in mid-1994, said leaders have a responsibility to communicate with their constituents. But citizens also have a responsibility to educate themselves about the vision of their leaders.
``You need more participation by the citizenry other than when they have a problem,'' she said. ``They have to read, they have to pay attention and they have to question the people who are running.''
Growth hasn't stolen the small-town, connected feel that makes Virginia Beach great, councilwoman Parker said. Residents just may have look a little harder for it.
``You as a citizen also have to make a point of trying to see what's going on,'' she said. ``I can provide the opportunities, but you have to get out.'' MEMO: VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL: THE CANDIDATES
The questions:
1) How do you plan to maintain contact with citizens after the
elections so you'll know what they want and they'll know what you're
accomplishing?
2) Describe the role, if any, that your local government should have
in building a sense of unity among citizens.
3) Schools are being asked to take on more responsibility for the
social and emotional needs of children Do you support this direction?
Why? If not, where would you limit it?
MAYOR
Meyera E. Oberndorf
Age: 55
Address: 5400 block of Challedon Drive
Occupation: Mayor
1) I interact with citizens of Virginia Beach in many different ways.
I'll continue to keep up my rigorous daily schedule where I meet with
citizens and students from every walk of life in our city. Once a month,
I host our ``City Dialogue'' program which airs regularly on VBTV. The
audience asks questions of a panel of experts. We cover a number of
issues ranging from Lake Gaston to housing. I have an ``open door''
policy and I meet with citizens one on one on a regular basis in my
office. I will continue to communicate with them about my goals and
objectives.
2) We should lead by example and continue to encourage public
participation.
3) Virginia Beach Public Schools have a comprehensive counseling
program which has been expanded to include elementary schools. This
program addresses many of the social and emotional needs of children.
However, I believe the primary purpose of schools is to teach. The
social and emotional needs of students should be met by their families
first, and then by private and public mental health agencies.
Robert Yurina
Age: 33
Address: 5200 block of Waller Court
Occupation: ``blue collar individual''
1) I will be available to take part in public forums. Each citizen
may call, write and/or meet with me in person.
2) Encourage and make it easier for citizens to utilize city
facilities. As mayor, I would take the opportunity to participate in
public forums and be a model in serving the people.
3) No. I would limit it when school attempts to replace the parents.
I only support reading, writing, arithmetic, science, history, special
education, and advanced placement. I also to a degree support the arts
and, of course, sports. I would do my utmost to reinforce a strong
family structure within the community.
AT-LARGE CANDIDATES
Richard P. Anoia
Age: 38
Address: 1600 block of Will-O-Wisp Drive
Occupation: helps run family-owned Windjammer Motel at the oceanfront
and barbershops at Pembroke Mall and Haygood Shopping Center
1) We need to begin with neighborhood meetings around town where
citizens can air their views, this is important. Listening posts -
places where people congregate - they can be a focal point. We could
utilize surveys or demographic information, aim these at what is on
people's minds, get their suggestions and solutions.
2) Unity among citizens is not necessarily a role of government. I'm
not sure there is a city role in creating unity. City government's role
is to collect taxes, fund schools and provide roadways. A sense of unity
needs to come from families, church, schools. From the city's role, we
have already provided some unity through recreational centers and the
programs they provide for youth, family and our seniors.
3) I feel the schools are already being asked to take on more
responsibility in this area, but I have serious reservations about this.
First, is this an infringement on parental responsibility? And second,
is there any indication that the government or schools can do a better
job in this regard? Clearly, it cannot be done with just schools and
teachers, it requires total community involvement, i.e. parents,
teachers, students, the business community and various volunteer support
groups. And, it must be done with community consensus.
As a practical application, maybe what we should do is look at the
adjustment of school arrival times. The elementary school-age children
are typically early risers and lose the benefit of those early hours for
school instruction, whereas families with working parents are many times
required to place children in before-school or after-school programs to
accommodate their work schedules. By beginning elementary classes at 8
a.m., we could comfortably accommodate those children and make those
morning hours productive. Likewise, high school-aged teenagers are
typically late risers and are more able to care for themselves if
parents are working. And, by getting out of school later, it will
eliminate those afternoon unsupervised time-frames, possibly resulting
in fewer problems. This may not be a cure-all, but it may begin to
address some of the problems that we are faced with in our communities.
Harold Heischober
Age: 75
Address: 4000 block of North Witchduck Road
Occupation: chairman of Mega Mazda car dealership on Holland Road
1) The way I maintain contact with citizens - it ought to be the
other way around. The way the citizens should be able to be in touch
with us, is to have a telephone available, like I have, 499-8500. I have
a live secretary, she takes the call, she refers the call to me. There's
no ``press 1,'' ``press 2,'' ``press 3.'' I believe a live telephone for
the public is essential. I don't like answering machines and I don't
have one. I answer the phone. If they write, I respond. If they want to
meet, I set up a meeting. I don't know any better way to communicate
with citizens than a one-on one meeting. If there is a civic league that
invites me, I never turn them down. If a Little League wants to meet
with me to ask me to show them how to raise money, I'll meet with the
parents of the Little League. Whatever effort it is, I've always met
with them. In fact, I've had sleep-ins on my showroom floor. There's no
better way than to be available at the telephone, to respond to
correspondence and to meet with groups as requested. From time to time,
I will hold what is generally known as a town meeting on a subject that
is near and dear to a neighborhood.
2) Building a sense of unity among citizens begins with open
communications via our TV stations, press releases and relationships
with citizen groups of all interests.
3) The basic answer is: partly. By that, I mean the basic response is
the home and the church. However, there has to be a sharing with the
school system and primarily the teacher who should be able to detect
social and emotional problems. Once detected, the teachers' obligation
is to share with the parent that problem exists with the child and that
the child will need further assistance, not within the school system,
but at the home, in the church, and possibly other professional
assistance.
I don't think the school system's role should be expanded. Their role
is pure education. I really don't think that the classroom teacher has
the time, nor should we take away from the basic educational process,
that teachers' ability, time and expertise. I think parenting has to
come from volunteers and all of the other volunteer services that we
have in the city - Big Sister/Little Sister. . . church, those should be
involved in the parenting aspects for that type of child. Where I grew
up, Lord knows I spent many, many a night in every school system where
we had basketball, handball, you name it. I do believe we underutilize
our great facilities.
In Virginia Beach, we have an abundance of retired military and
retired civilian personnel who've come here from all over the world that
have tremendous background and abundance of knowledge in every
direction. That resource is available, it should be asked for. These
people want to serve and these people can be tutors, they can be
anything the school system would ask them to be. That's the community
role that I see that needs nourishing.
Louis Miles Pace
Age: 61
Address: 1900 block of Hunts Neck Court
Occupation: key equipment sales manager for Curtis Industries
1) Because I am going to be an at-large elected official, I will have
once-a-month meetings and invite all the citizens to come and share
their concerns and work toward their common good. The first thing - I'd
find out for sure that they want to get rid of personal property taxes
on automobiles. And then I'd do it.
2) Provide public safety and leave us citizens alone.
3) I think the parents are being left out of the equation. I think
the parents should be responsible for their own kids, rather than the
schools taking over responsibility.
Robert C. Spadaccini
Age: 38
Address: 600 block of Orangewood Drive
Occupation: collection manager for a law firm
1) I will maintain contact with the citizens by going to them, into
their communities, meetings and events; by asking for their help in the
process of making a positive difference in our neighborhoods and city.
By empowering them to make a difference.
2) The city should open its doors to the citizens, be more open and
solicit the help of the public. As leaders, members of council need to
come from behind the dais and walls of council chambers at times other
than election, roll up their sleeves and work in and with the
communities. Unity is built in part on trust, to have trust you need
openness in government.
3) No. Social and emotional needs of children should be fulfilled at
home by parents or relatives. Government (of which schools are a part)
are not equipped nor able to handle this responsibility. Schools can
offer education in this area to children and parents. They can offer
opportunities through sports or cultural functions, dances etc. as
outlets for youth, but it is ultimately up to the family to teach a
value system, reinforce beliefs and equip children socially and
emotionally.
BEACH BOROUGH
Linwood O. Branch III
Age: 40
Address: 700 block of Arctic Avenue
Occupation:
1) I don't feel I've had any problems keeping contact with them
during the first 4 years of my term and probably in the same manner, by
attending meetings and returning phone calls and just being out there in
the public. Virginia Beach is a big city with a small-town sort of
atmosphere. A lot of people know each other and you never have
difficulty getting ideas and opinions - at least I haven't. We generally
know when we're going in the right direction and when we're not.
2) The government and its policies need to be a reflection of the
mood and will of the people; satisfaction in goals and direction tend to
bring a community together.
3) The purpose of the City Council is to fund the school budget to
the best of the taxpayer's ability. Policy issues are left up to the
School Board. The community can be of help, but there's no substitute
for good parents. You've got to have them first, and then you build on
that.
BLACKWATER BOROUGH
John A. Baum
Age: 69
Address: 6400 block of Crags Causeway
Occupation: retired farmer
1) All I'd like to do is emphasize that the communications could be
better if the public realizes that some methods don't work: Like us
getting loads of postcards about full-funding for the schools. We know
that's a bunch of teachers. These orchestrated things don't impress me
very favorably. I know that they want more pay, but they don't say a
word about how it ought to be paid for. Employees - schools and
otherwise - could basically ask for taxes to be raised, but the general
citizens don't necessarily feel that way.
We do need to know more what people think, but there's no need for
somebody to be so worked up emotionally that you can't even talk to
them. Every now and then some honest indignation is there for very good
reason, but in many cases, we're wasting our time trying to explain
something that was stirred up by somebody.You're not keen to help
somebody who just called you a crook. I guess I'm too sensitive.
I've always had much better luck talking to citizens one at a time or
in small groups. The bigger it gets, the more difficult it is to
communicate, especially if there are TV cameras. Some people put on a
show, talking to the TV audience and stuff like that. It's just not a
natural system that most of us are used to.
2) We need to encourage citizens to go beyond working for a good
neighborhood, and stress that we all must consider the needs of the
entire city.
3) Concerning schools, we (on the council) don't have but so much to
say. I'm not anxious for the teachers to take more responsibility for
social and emotional needs. I'm a little bit leery of having school
teachers do more than teach. I think maybe the school facilities could
be used a bit more, probably with volunteer groups guiding kids, or
having a place for them to be until their parents get home. I'm not sure
how much the teachers should go beyond teaching. I think all of us
recognize that lack of discipline is a big part of the problem. I don't
know how to cure that. I think maybe community meetings and that type of
thing might be able to help. You should demand some things from the
parents. The teachers shouldn't be wasting her time or his time
disciplining them. Community meetings should be helpful to discuss the
roles of the schools and the homes in preparing the children for an
education.
PRINCES ANNE
Robert K. Dean
Age: 51
Address: 1200 block of Shawn Drive
Occupation: retired manager at J.C. Penney
1) I will continue to be totally available by phone or in person as a
full-time council member. I am devoting my time to the service of the
citizens that I represent. My phone number is 427-6606 and my fax number
is 430-3627 and I take phone calls from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and I receive
fax messages 24 hours a day.
2) The only role that local government should play is to spread the
word in the community, and provide space in a government facility in
which to present and conduct a forum. The building blocks of a society
should come from the streets, churches and synagogues...and not from
government. We (the city of Virginia Beach) already have a strong sinse
of unity.
3) I gather this question is an assumption for I have not been
hearing these sort of issues being discussed in our community. I'm sure
that there are those who perhaps would like to pawn their children off
onto someone else and probably for selfish reasons (using schools as a
baby-sitting or daycare service at the public's expense). If a child has
been diagnosed with a medical disability that requires daily drug
maintenance (school nurse) during school hours; if a child has a
physical disability that requires catheter monitoring or assistance with
eating; if a child has a mild or a severe emotional or mental (both are
actually related) disability such as ADD, ADHD, down syndrome, EMR, TMR;
if all of these examples of conditions are taken into consideration and
we as a society decide that maintstreaming or inclusion is the
responsibility of the public education system, then the following must
occur. First, we must continue to fund the program with trained
personnel, give them the equipment to perform and the space in which to
perform. Secondly, we must be cognizant of the fact that just as we will
always have the poor with us, we will also have the disabled. This is a
fact of life. The issue is whether or not we want to continue on our
current direction or do we want to expand the program and if so, how do
we provide the funding. It's quite apparent that the role of government
is changing and not everyone agrees with some of the changes taking
place. The limit placed on any program is decided by political will and
the ability to pay.
Reba S. McClanan
Age: 58
Address: 3200 block of Burnt Mill Road
Occupation: former teacher
1) I am available by phone and move actively around the community. I
plan on continuing this. I am willing to meet with individuals or groups
to discuss issues of concern. I also expect to use from time to time,
surveys such as the one I ran in the Beacon recently. In the past, I
have worked diligently with individuals, civic leagues, businesses,
everybody, to discuss our many concerns, and I expect to continue that
pattern of service.
2) Local government should promote goals and projects being built or
established for all citizens on an equitable and fair basis, versus
select treatment for special interest groups.
3) I believe the family unit has the ultimate responsibility for the
total development of the child. However, since many families have
relinquished that responsibility, some involuntarily as well as
voluntarily, society has to properly respond. I believe through
volunteer group coordination, special activities and coalition groups
can aid children who have needs in these areas through tutoring, special
services and activities, business partnerships in school districts, etc.
I do not believe in taking either funds or time from regular educational
pursuits in the classroom. Too many social issues and agendas are being
used or foisted upon the academic areas of education. Education is a
right which should be available to all children. But in the provision of
other services, the basic goal of education should never be endangered.
Using multi-purpose approaches and levels is very important, but the
basic focus must be maintained.
ILLUSTRATION: Photos of candidates for mayor and city council
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH MAYOR RACE VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL RACE
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