Adams best-suited for mayor's role in Chesapeake

WITH ITS GOOD schools, low crime rate, strong industries and small-town virtues, the city of Chesapeake might be forgiven for a little complacency.

Because the big picture is fairly bright, municipal elections provide the best opportunity to challenge the status quo in City Hall, to make officials prove they're on the right track. If voters aren't happy with City Hall's direction and character, then they have the power next Tuesday to refashion it. They're voting into office a new mayor and five of nine council members.

For all the things that are going right, there's still plenty of healthy discontent that the city's taxes aren't low enough, that City Hall isn't lean enough, that the council isn't independent enough of special interests, and that youth gangs have gotten too much of a foothold.

There's no shortage of issues, interest or qualified candidates for the council and the School Board.

Given our positive assessment of the city, we steered away in our endorsements from candidates aiming for drastic reductions in public services and in the property tax rate. In many ways, the new city manager, William Harrell, has taken the starch out of those arguments. He has adopted a much tougher line on budgeting and taxes than has been the custom in Chesapeake.

The most important contest is over who succeeds Dalton Edge, who is retiring as mayor. The contest between council members Alan Krasnoff and Rebecca Adams has one huge pro and con. Either one can ably lead Chesapeake, but the loser will cede the final two years of his or her council term. We recommend Adams because of her thoughtfulness, ability to disagree without being disagreeable, and her commitment to quality public services, especially education and public safety. Her grace and reserve make her better suited than Krasnoff to the mayor's ceremonial and official duties.

In an earlier term on council, she pushed through a short-lived hotel occupancy tax dedicated to school construction. The move incensed the business community and was repealed after just a few months. Though we expressed misgivings about the tax, her advocacy spurred the council to adequately fund a lock box that has accelerated badly needed school construction projects.

In an interview, Adams, a school principal, didn't offer many details about her vision for the city. But there's no doubting her conviction to "look at what [Chesapeake] should be in 20 years, not just next year."

Krasnoff, with 18 consecutive years on council, has the longest tenure. He's served diligently on many regional boards, tackling issues including transportation, water resources and the environment, and has established good relationships with leaders in neighboring cities. Krasnoff, a chiropractor, has advocated lower real estate tax rates, but he also warns that rates shouldn't jeopardize core city services. He voted against the Belharbour project in South Norfolk, a position we agreed with. But he also takes the easy way out on roads for the region, arguing for the need but not the taxes to pay for them.

He has been on the short end of many recent votes, and that could affect his ability to build a consensus. Adams stands a better chance of organizing a working majority on the council.

Of the 15 candidates vying for the five other seats on City Council, challenger Rodney Foster and incumbent C.E. "Cliff" Hayes Jr. stand out. Foster, a retired farmer, has served on numerous city boards, including the Planning Commission, Drainage Committee and Open Space Committee. He says he weighs issues based on what's good for the city, not on who's screaming the loudest. Hayes, ending his first term, has been an outspoken backer of revitalization in South Norfolk. We didn't agree with his support of the Belharbour project, but he makes a plausible case that it's just one piece of the area's comeback. Hayes is a leader on council.

We also endorse challengers Suzy Kelly and ex-councilwoman Debbie Ritter. Kelly is co-owner of an electrical supply and engineering company that has more than 60 employees. That private sector perspective is especially important on a council with so many members drawing government paychecks.

Ritter, who barely lost re-election to council two years ago, is a steady, nuts-and-bolt technician. She pays attention to unglamorous but vital issues, such as re-evaluating the number of zoning officers in the city and protecting the environment.

That leaves one slot. The two remaining, longtime incumbents Vice Mayor Dwight Parker and Patricia Willis, are conciliatory, sensible and relatively low-key. Both have served the city well, and they're better than the remaining challengers.

For the School Board, three incumbents and three challengers seek the four open seats.

By far, the most impressive is Melvin Marriner, senior pastor of 6,000-member Grove Baptist Church. Marriner is energetic and visionary. He outlined several initiatives - keeping better tabs on students suspended from the system; creating more honors programs; and having a "panoramic view" as students face global competition.

Incumbents Tom Mercer, the board chairman, and Linda Johnson deserve re-election. Mercer has been a sure and steady hand in a successful division and has helped boost teacher pay. Johnson came onto the board four years ago and became an instant voice for South Norfolk, and then the rest of the city. She spends lots of time in individual schools, and says she helped to get additional nurses in the larger schools.

The fourth slot should go to George Van Laethem, a businessman with a computer company and girls soccer coach at Western Branch High School. He's also served on the city's Parks and Recreation advisory board. The retired Army officer pledges to keep a close watch on school finances. He is a slightly better choice than Tina Pullen, who offers energy and ideas but lacks his experience.