THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 1, 1996 TAG: 9607010022
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: 95 lines
The message was everywhere Sunday, on balloons, on buttons, on the lips of dozens of people - ``Portsmouth has a new attitude.''
That attitude comes courtesy of a resurrected and redeemed politician, James W. Holley III, who was sworn in as mayor on Sunday. The service was conducted before a standing-room-only crowd of about 500 citizens, politicians and officials.
Holley capped the ceremony with a 30-minute speech predicting a new day in Portsmouth. He promised citizens what they have been longing for - a new image and a prominent place in the region.
There were shades of Ronald Reagan's ``New morning in America'' and John F. Kennedy's ``Ask what you can do for your country'' in Holley's speech as he told citizens that they would be responsible for Portsmouth's success.
``We're the new spirit, the new renaissance,'' Holley told the crowd. ``We're going to prove to the critics that we're going to take our rightful place in the region. And we're going to take it starting tomorrow.''
Holley had planned to deliver his message on the plaza outside of City Hall, but the threat of rain moved the ceremony inside.
Ever the consummate politician, however, Holley sought to turn inconvenience to advantage: ``It rained on election day, and like that day, we're being showered with blessings,'' he said.
``I had a vision that we would have this outside so there could be so many more people,'' Holley said. ``But He had a better plan. He wanted us in here together; all races, all ages, all creeds. We are a family.''
The ``family'' packed around folding chairs that filled the first floor, and the audience extended to the back of the room. An orchestra sat near the elevators. Red, white and blue balloons dotted the scene while outside the windows, flags waved and bunting decorated the plaza.
Holley promised to ``bring government back to the people.''
``I will tell you what you need to know. Not what you want to hear,'' Holley told the crowd. ``Will we encounter roadblocks? Positively. Are you, my fellow citizens, willing to work to make this city the finest it can be?''
The audience responded with positive applause.
It was a different sort of ceremony. Typically a mayoral swearing-in is a quiet affair for only a few friends and family. Holley came in with a bang.
Dignitaries from every Hampton Roads city attended. Congressmen Norman Sisisky and Bobby Scott came; state senators and delegates were there; a vice admiral; the commander of Norfolk Naval Shipyard; and hundreds of Portsmouth folk - the people Holley refers to as family - crowded the hot hall to witness his return.
Also sworn in were newly elected and re-elected council members J. Thomas Benn, Bernard D. Griffin and Cameron C. Pitts. But Holley dominated the ceremony.
Council members were surrounded by family members as each took the oath of office. Each wife held a Bible while the council member swore their oath. But Holley's pledge of service was accompanied by the sound of a crying baby, the newest addition to his family.
All other South Hampton Roads cities will hold their swearing-in ceremonies today. Portsmouth traditionally has its elected officials take their oaths before July 1.
The Portsmouth council will hold an organizational meeting today to vote for a vice mayor.
Holley moved through the crowd after the ceremony, shaking hands, calling people by name, thanking folks for coming to the ceremony. After an hour, he left for his home in Cavalier Manor, where he hosted a more intimate celebration.
Guests enjoyed an open bar and a variety of food. Holley even had a warm hand-shake for the occasional party-crasher.
During his private party, Holley didn't talk much about politics, focusing instead on his family.
His son, James IV, and his son's wife are both dentists who have come to Portsmouth to work in the family practice. His daughter, Robin, is working in the commonwealth's attorney's office in Portsmouth.
The walls of Holley's den are dotted with a myriad of mounted fish that he has caught over the years. An adjacent office has plaques, trophies and articles marking Holley's accomplishments as a politician, a golfer, a sportsman and a civil rights activist. He talked about these things during his party. He talked about the rain and the sunshine. He talked of his son's swim team and his daughter's trip to Europe with his niece.
This was his day to celebrate. There was not a hint of Holley's troubled past. There wasn't even a whisper of his recall. It was reminiscent of a dozen years ago when Holley was in his glory - when Portsmouth could always be counted on to host parties for new aircraft carriers coming into its harbor.
Holley seemed to realize that as he talked of Portsmouth's future just after being sworn in. ``What legacy are we going to leave for our children?'' he asked the citizens before him.
``Portsmouth people have been strong. They have been determined to make a better life here. We want this city to be strong. We need you. I like to think of volunteerism as the highest form of patriotism. We're looking to you for our renaissance.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
MIKE HEFFNER
The Virginian-Pilot
Portsmouth's new mayor, James W. Holley III, left, is congratulated
by supporter Rafiq Zaidi on Sunday. by CNB