Norfolk treasurer hires vice mayor as deputy

NORFOLK

Vice Mayor Anthony L. Burfoot has become a chief deputy for City Treasurer Thomas W. Moss Jr., a turn of events that may have transformed Burfoot into Moss' heir apparent.

Moss, 80, recently announced he will run for re-election next November. Burfoot would not speculate on whether he will run to replace Moss in 2013. However, Councilman W. Randy Wright said he thinks Burfoot will run.

Burfoot, 41, who said he briefly considered running for treasurer before announcing his support for Moss, began work Monday. He makes $52,000 in the post. He is paid $23,000 for serving on the City Council.

City Attorney Bernard Pishko said a council member can work in the treasurer's office without creating a conflict of interest. Although the treasurer's office collects taxes for the city, it is funded by the state.

Burfoot has an undergraduate degree in public administration, with minors in urban studies and finance, and a master's degree in education from Virginia State University. He has taught math and other subjects at Tidewater Community College.

Moss said he is "very qualified. He has two degrees. I've been trying to find the right person for this position. He's ideal. He gives me a good relationship with city government, and probably is the most educated man in my office."

Burfoot said he "agonized" before accepting the position, worried that people might perceive a conflict of interest.

"But I'm not the first person to work for the state and serve in an elected position," he said.

Chesapeake City Councilman C.E. "Cliff" Hayes Jr. works for the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office, while Del. Paula Miller, D-Norfolk, works for the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office, he said. Both held those jobs before being elected.

Norfolk Councilwoman Daun S. Hester said she agrees it isn't a conflict of interest. "The appearance is something different," she said. "I understand that we all have to work. But I just think it probably wasn't the best advice that he received."

Councilman Paul R. Riddick said he doesn't have a problem with Burfoot taking the new position, but he wonders if voters will.

He said Wright took a part-time job with the Norfolk Sheriff's Office in 1999 but decided not to accept money for the post after a media outcry. "It has the same flavor as the situation Randy got involved in," he said.

Wright kept the job, in which he worked to help senior citizens avoid crime, for more than a year without pay.

Vivian Paige, a Norfolk accountant who ran against Moss in 2005, declined comment.

Burfoot has brought much funding to Ward 3 since being elected six years ago. He has backed efforts to develop the Broad Creek housing community, a commercial district along Lafayette Boulevard, and construction of the Norview Community Center.

"I will work just as hard for my constituents," he said. "I believe, at the end of they day, they will vote for me again."

Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com