
DATE: Thursday, September 4, 1997           TAG: 9709040466

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: BY JEFFREY S. HAMPTON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY                    LENGTH:   82 lines

SPARKS FLY IN ELIZABETH CITY DEBATE COUNCILWOMAN HUMMER ATTACKS RECORD OF MAYOR RICK GARDNER

The first political debate that anyone here can remember was less a give-and-take and more a chance for the challenger to attack the incumbent's record in the mayoral race.

Councilwoman Anita Hummer has had her differences with Mayor Rick Gardner before.

``For four years he's been telling me to go along to get along,'' Hummer told about 100 people gathered at the Pasquotank County Courthouse on Tuesday night. ``That's not the way I am. I may compromise on strategy but never on principle.''

Hummer, elected to City Council in 1993, is currently the mayor pro tempore and often clashes with Gardner on city issues.

``Nobody can remember there being a mayor's debate before,'' said Paul Bryant, president of the Inner City Forum, a citizens group that organized the debate and a candidates forum held just prior to the debate.

Bryant said his group will announce in about two weeks its endorsement for mayor and for each of the seats open in the four city wards. The predominantly black group carries heavy political weight in a city with nearly equal black and white populations.

``We are not going to endorse any candidate simply because of the color of their skin,'' Bryant said. ``Let's get that clear, now.''

The Oct. 7 election will be the first since 1985 in which every seat will have at least two candidates.

Most of the candidates were uneasy speaking in front of the crowd. Of the nine candidates, only the two incumbents, Lloyd Griffin III and A.C. Robinson Jr., have held public office. Hummer gave up her seat in the second ward to run for mayor, and Dorothy Stallings declined to run again for her third ward seat.

Robinson faces two challengers in the fourth ward - Carlotta Jordan and William O. ``Olie'' Leary.

``I am a rookie politician,'' said Leary, a retired Elizabeth City police captain. ``Thirty years ago I was a rookie police officer, but I studied hard and worked hard, and the newspaper and many residents said I left as one of the best officers ever on the force.''

Candidates spoke briefly on typical issues from drugs to drinking water without many specifics. Hummer's attack on Gardner's administration provided the evening's fireworks.

``We have widely different concepts on what it takes to be a leader,'' Hummer, 63, said in answering one of 10 questions posed. ``This city should already have a five- and 10-year plan and does not.''

Hummer said she would appoint a business advisory council and a citizens council.

During the debate, which lasted 1 1/2 hours, Hummer contended that Gardner conducted city business behind closed doors and that he had not built good relations with the Pasquotank County commissioners. She criticized Gardner's wealth, saying he is out of touch with ordinary people.

Gardner defended his record on each count and recalled the rundown trailer park he lived in when he first arrived in Elizabeth City nearly 30 years ago.

The candidate forum and the debate helped make up the minds of some in the audience.

``It helped me,'' said Virginia Rawlins, who moved here from New York two years ago. ``When I get ready to vote, I know who I'm voting for.''

Rawlins lives in the second ward.

``I thought it went very well,'' Bryant said. He said Hummer's attacks on Gardner's record were expected. ``The incumbent's position is to be challenged by the challenger. I didn't think anything negative about it.''

Gardner was unfazed afterward.

``I was comfortable with it,'' Gardner said of the criticism. ``That's OK.''

City Council Candidates:

1st Ward: Shirley Simpson

Lloyd Griffin III

2nd Ward: Jeannie Young

Linda Barrett

3rd Ward: Darry K. Stallings

Jereline Lynn

4th Ward: William O. ``Olie'' Leary

Carlotta Jordan

A.C. Robinson Jr. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic