Norfolk Council unanimously reappoints Billy Cook

NORFOLK

The City Council unanimously agreed Tuesday night to reappoint Billy Cook and name newcomers Karen Jones Squires and Kirk Houston Sr. to the School Board.

Jim Driggers was also reappointed to a two-year term.

Cook's status was thought to be in jeopardy in part because he is contemplating running against incumbent City Councilman Paul R. Riddick in the May election.

He also drew criticism for an interview he gave for an HBO television special on gang violence. City officials said the special cast Norfolk in a negative light.

But after a 45-minute, closed-door discussion, Mayor Paul Fraim emerged to say the council unanimously agreed to retain Cook, an Army officer and faculty member at the Joint Forces Staff College.

The decision on all four board positions was affirmed 7-0 with no debate in the council's formal meeting.

Squires served on the committee that ended middle school busing. Houston is senior pastor of Gethsemane Community Fellowship Baptist Church. Driggers is a Navy veteran and former Norfolk schoolteacher who is working on a doctorate at Old Dominion University.

Board Chairman Barry Bishop had asked not to be reappointed.

The board will retain a 4-3 black majority.

Lillian Wright, a board member since 2004, was not reappointed. She is a retired Norfolk State University professor.

"That was the most difficult part of this discussion," Fraim said. "We greatly respect and appreciate the service Dr. Wright has given to this city.

"But we had a great number of very qualified candidates. It was a very difficult decision."

Financial adviser George Nottingham and Alveta Green, a former School Board member, were seriously considered after being nominated, Fraim said.

Green was nominated by Vice Mayor Anthony L. Burfoot, who missed Tuesday's meeting. A deputy in the city treasurer's office, Burfoot was out of town on city business, Fraim said.

Dan Montague, a frequent council critic, nominated himself but had no council support.

Riddick had surgery last week and did not attend Tuesday's meeting, but he took part in the debate and voted by telephone. Riddick endorsed Houston. Councilwoman Daun S. Hester argued for Cook's reappointment.

All but Fraim declined comment at the end of the meeting, saying the mayor would speak for the council.

Fraim praised Houston and Squires. Houston has little educational experience, but Fraim said that has never been a prerequisite for serving on the School Board.

"Barry Bishop did not have a lot of educational experience when he joined the board," Fraim said. "And he was a tremendous board member."

Fraim said he has been impressed with Houston's work in building his church and in helping young people.

"I've spent a lot of time with Kirk Houston and know him very well," he said. "He's done wonderful work with young people. Karen Squires is very knowledgeable and passionate about the school system. She will be a great board member."

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