DATE: Monday, March 17, 1997                TAG: 9703150004

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Editorial 

                                            LENGTH:   32 lines

MAYOR SPEAKS, RESTUARANTS CLOSE CULINARY MENACE

Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim and the Lakewood Civic League are a deadly combination, at least to restaurants.

In 1991, the civic league invited Fraim to speak at its luncheon at Lewis' Seafood Restaurant on Colley Avenue. He did, and later the restaurant closed.

In 1992, he spoke to the league at Sam Kody's at Wards Corner. Soon the restaurant closed.

In 1993, Fraim spoke to the league at the 53rd Street Cafe, which closed and was replaced by the Jewish Mother's Norfolk operation.

In 1994, Fraim spoke to the league at the Norfolk Jewish Mother. After listing restaurants that had closed after he spoke to the league there, Fraim told members, ``This group has done some damage.'' He added, ``You're playing havoc with the tax base.''

It wasn't long before the Norfolk Jewish Mother closed.

In 1995, Fraim spoke to the league at the Norfolk Yacht & Country Club. It survived his talk, perhaps because it is not a public restaurant.

In 1996, Fraim had to cancel his talk to the league because of urgent city business.

On Thursday, the mayor spoke to the league at Veneziano's, a restaurant in the 4200 block of Granby Street.

Fans of Veneziano's might want to eat there soon, just to be on the safe side.

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