THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, October 9, 1996            TAG: 9610090419
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY NANCY LEWIS, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   76 lines

PUBLIC SERVICE ISN'T EASY, OFFICIALS SAY FROM COMPROMISES TO FAMILY TIME, IT'S ALL GIVE AND TAKE, PANEL MEMBERS TELL CITIZENS.

Compromise is something an effective public servant must learn to savor, not just swallow, four local elected officials say.

But, they add, the give and take of political maneuvering comes naturally if one has a sincere desire to make a difference.

``In the legislative process, if you don't make some compromises, you won't be able to help'' all the citizens, state Sen. L. Louise Lucas told several dozen folks who had come to hear the politicians discuss the pros and cons of running for office Monday evening.

Lucas, from Portsmouth, is a Democrat representing the 18th District. She shared the collective hot seat at Norview United Methodist Church with Del. Thelma Drake, R-87th of Norfolk, Chesapeake City Council member Elizabeth Thornton and Norfolk Sheriff Bob McCabe, a Republican.

Lucas says there are some issues - the sanctity of tobacco farming and the Lake Gaston pipeline, for example - that she just won't budge on. However, she adds, there are others - juvenile justice and welfare reform among them - that call for input and compromise so the resultant legislation will be ``the best.''

``Even though the people won't understand,'' Lucas said.

Thornton concurred, saying that what is good for her constituency as a whole becomes the issue, and that perspective becomes larger once elected. Then, she said, ``you're thinking about many more; (you) have to put on a coat of armor'' when it comes to responding to special interests.

Drake, too, knows the value of compromise, but refuses to budge on things near and dear to her. She declined donations from political action committees lobbying for changes in fishing and gambling laws, for example.

McCabe offered comic relief with his comments on compromise:

``I don't have to, fortunately,'' he said. ``I lock 'em up and make sure they don't escape. Anyway, I have nothing to offer them but a room with a view.''

``I wouldn't want their job,'' he said, nodding toward the three women seated to his left. ``It's tough.''

If time spent in public service were money, the three women would be rich - but it's not.

Lucas estimates she spends 12 to 16 hours a day in her capacity as senator for the sprawling district. She is also on the faculty of Norfolk State University.

``It's a 48-hour-a-day job,'' said Lucas, who earns $18,000 a year as senator. Were her children not grown, she ``absolutely, positively couldn't do this job.''

For example, she has had to forgo the pleasure of attending a grandchild's birthday party on occasion.

``You don't have much of a personal life,'' she said. ``You become the people's operative. But it's that kind of sacrifice it takes. . . if you don't perform for the people, they'll put you out.''

Drake, too, takes ``time from family and business'' to connect with her constituency and represent Norfolk in Richmond. She has a real estate business and earns $17,640 a year as a delegate. It's a balancing act, she said. ``You could let this be a full-time position.''

McCabe, who conceded he is well-paid at $87,000 a year, says he spends as much as 70 hours a week fulfilling the requirements of his job.

By the time he was elected, he had gone out on a financial limb that threatened to give way, McCabe indicated.

``I had a hard time raising money because no one thought I'd win,'' he said. He said he didn't tell his wife that he had spent all of their $5,000 savings account. ``I was six months behind on the car and house payments.''

But the sacrifices and hard work are worth the rewards to be reaped in public service - in making a difference in the lives of others, all four elected officials agreed.

``Once you run and it gets in your blood,'' Lucas said, ``you're hooked.'' ILLUSTRATION: VICKI CRONIS/The Virginian-Pilot

Several local officials participated in a panel discussion of public

office at Norview United Methodist Church on Tuesday. From left are

Norfolk Sheriff Bobby McCabe; Del. Thelma Drake, who is laughing at

a comment from the sheriff; Sen. Louise Lucas; and Elizabeth

Thornton, Chesapeake City Council member. by CNB