THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 1, 1996 TAG: 9605010387
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Long : 170 lines
Many voters find it difficult to distinguish between the two candidates for the Princess Anne Borough seat on the City Council.
Incumbent Robert K. Dean and challenger Reba S. McClanan both tout their council experience, roots in community organizations, roles in environmental efforts and pro-business reputations.
The former allies don't like saying bad things about each other and - for the most part - have avoided negative campaigning. McClanan supported Dean in 1992 when he ran for the seat she had held for a dozen years. Dean campaigned for McClanan's husband, former Del. Glenn McClanan, in his race for the state legislature.
They do differ, however on some key issues facing the city: McClanan supports sand for Sandbridge. Dean does not. Dean opposes the Southeastern Expressway. McClanan believes it's needed, but not now.
McClanan supports certain kinds of development below the Green Line. Dean wants to keep the line tight.
Because of their similarities, some community leaders refuse to publicly endorse either candidate.
``It is really a tough choice,'' said Leslie K. Fenlon, of the Citizens Action Coalition and past president of the Council of Civic Organizations. The CAC declined to endorse council candidates this year because of close races in the Princess Anne Borough and at-large contests.
Both Dean and McClanan have strong commitments to volunteer activities.
Dean founded Clean the Bay Day and is an active advocate for the disabled. McClanan formerly headed the Council of Civic Organizations and Friends of the Library and is an active member of Friends of the Francis Land House.
The Virginia Beach Education Association also did not endorse a candidate in this race.
``We felt they were pretty much equally acceptable,'' said Harriett Durham, chairwoman of the VBEA's political action committee. ``Neither one stood out as being that much better than the other.
``In some races, it's better if you stay out of it.''
The environmental community also is divided.
While Dean champions his environmental efforts, his vote against the Agricultural Reserve Program (an attempt to preserve natural resources in the southern end of the city) rankled some followers. While Dean supports the program, he opposed raising taxes to fund it.
And while McClanan pushes for tree planting and beautification, some worry she is too permissive when it comes to development and road building in environmentally sensitive areas.
``It doesn't appear to be that clear,'' said Dr. Steve Vinson, a pediatrician who is director of Back Bay Restoration Foundation and environment director for the Council of Civic Organizations.
When pushed, the candidates reluctantly define their differences.
``He tends to be more of a talker than a doer,'' McClanan said of Dean.
Dean's platform is one of fiscal conservatism and downsizing government.
``I'm not aware of any specific instances where he's proposed anything to reduce spending,'' McClanan said. ``But I don't want to sound ugly. He has a lot of energy and has been active.''
Dean defends his record, saying he voted against many programs and projects that would cost taxpayers more.
Dean counters that McClanan is out of touch with her constituency. He cites a survey in her advertisements asking citizens for their views. ``She's trying to find out what's on people's minds,'' Dean said. ``I'm out there, I know what's on people's minds. I work at it seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
``But I'm not going to attack the woman. That's not me.''
McClanan defends her survey as being responsive to the voters.
The two candidates also differ in their campaign styles.
Dean's advertisements are issue-driven. McClanan's plug her background and community activities.
McClanan uses campaign signs around town. Dean does not. As of Monday, McClanan had raised $16,050 and spent $15,921. Dean had raised $19,459 and spent $17,026.
Dean, 55, spends the city's money as if it's his own - frugally.
His life presents a good example of his financial management. Dean retired in his early 40s after 17 years in management with J.C. Penney Co., thanks in part to a frugal lifestyle and careful investments.
He bought a new car last year but still drives his 26-year-old Cadillac. He still wears shoes he bought 13 years ago, although they've had many new soles.
``We should only go after the things you need and not the things you want,'' Dean said of the city budget.
Dean is known for trotting out toy pigs during council meetings denouncing spending on what he considers pork barrel projects.
During his four years on council, Dean is most proud of ensuring that new projects comply with the American Disabilities Act, championing the removal of leaking underground storage tanks from city and school properties, and tightening controls on hauling and dumping of construction debris.
Dean prefers a better mass transit system over the building of new roads. He advocates public-private partnerships.
McClanan, 58, was going about her community work when she decided she could no longer remain behind the citizens' lectern in the council chambers.
``I didn't plan on running again, but things kept coming up,'' said McClanan, who served on council from 1980 to 1992, when she lost her mayoral bid to Meyera E. Oberndorf.
It started with council ``doing too many things behind closed doors,'' she said, like the elevation of the Southeastern Expressway to the top of the road priority list.
But it was the School Board budget debacle that clinched it for the former teacher.
``That flim flam man came in and took advantage of everyone in the city,'' McClanan said of former superintendent Sidney L. Faucette.
She said she long opposed the budgeting method advocated by Faucette and then used by the council and schools, warning of disaster. McClanan doesn't say she could have prevented the fiasco, but says her probing style provides some checks and balances.
``I've asked a lot of questions and made some people very unhappy,'' she said. ``People are afraid to speak out. Council members are intimidated by some situations.
``But I've stepped on a lot of toes and I've stepped hard. I'm proud of that. I don't take it as a negative.''
McClanan was the force behind many of the city's beautification efforts: removing large, tacky signs in the resort area; banning additional billboards; lowering and shrinking signs on Virginia Beach and General Booth boulevards; and enacting landscape and tree protection ordinances.
If elected, McClanan wants to slow the proliferation of ``big box'' discount stores and concentrate on small businesses. She also is interested in improving the quality of development. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
Color photos
A THIN LINE?
Incumbent ROBERT K. DEAN
Challenger REBA S. McCLANAN
Key similarities:
BOTH ARE STRONG ENVIRONMENTALISTS
Dean founded or co-founded many environmental groups.
McClanan was the force behind many of the city's beautification
efforts
BOTH HAVE COUNCIL EXPERIENCE
Dean has held this seat since 1992.
McClanan served on council from 1980 to 1992.
BOTH ARE ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS
Dean founded Clean the Bay Day and is an advocate for the
disabled.
McClanan once headed the Council of Civic Organizations and Friends
of the Library and is active with Friends of the Francis Land
House.
Key differences:
SANDBRIDGE
Dean does not support sand for Sandbridge.
McClanan does.
SOUTHEASTERN EXPRESSWAY
Dean dislikes the proposed Southeastern Expressway.
McClanan is cautiously supportive.
GREEN LINE
Dean wants to prevent development south of the Green Line.
McClanan thinks some growth might be needed.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCILMANIC RACE ELECTION
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