89th Dist. candidates talk education, transportation

NORFOLK

The race for the 89th District of the House of Delegates pits an incumbent with a long history of civic involvement against a 24-year-old Norfolk State University student.

First elected to the House in 2002, Kenny Alexander's community service began with volunteer efforts in Norfolk's Berkley neighborhood. He grew up there, serves on its civic league and owns one of his two funeral homes there.

The Democrat has served on the city's Planning Commission and Economic Development Authority.

His opponent, Anthony J. Triplin, is an independent. A native of Greensboro, N.C., Triplin lived here while his father was in the Army. He was also stationed here while in the Navy and stayed when he got out last year. He is now in the Virginia Army National Guard. He is a former member of the Virginia Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice and is vice president of the Tanners Creek East Civic League.

Both candidates say fixing transportation problems and improving education are crucial.

Alexander said key transportation projects have long been identified but not started, while costs have soared.

"So we have to come to an agreement that we continue to cut and reduce an already trim budget to fund transportation or we bite the bullet and raise the revenue that's needed," Alexander said.

Triplin said he would not support putting tolls on roads, especially anything more than 50 cents. He said both the Midtown and Downtown tunnels should be expanded and more money needs to be invested in mass transportation.

Alexander said schools must better prepare students for scientific and technological careers. He said he worked with NASA to bring an engineering program to a Norfolk elementary school.

Triplin said he's concerned about cuts to education. He favors cutting the state budget by weeding out programs that don't work. He says a mechanism should be created to help evaluate all state programs.

Court records that came to light during routine background checks The Virginian-Pilot undertakes on political candidates show Triplin has faced some debt collection.

A judgment filed in Norfolk Circuit Court in December was awarded to Coastal Credit LLC for $6,305. Another judgment against him, for nearly $12,000, in North Carolina involves an insurance matter stemming from an accident. Triplin said he didn't know that either judgment had been final.

Last month, Triplin's committee reported almost $60,000 in his campaign account but no expenditures. Triplin said $25,000 of his campaign fund was a loan to it from his savings.

Alexander reported almost $38,000 cash and about $12,768 in expenditures.

Triplin said he has an associate degree in social science from the University of Phoenix. A media representative for the University of Phoenix said the school did not offer a social science degree.

She said her computer system showed an Anthony J. Triplin but said that student did not graduate. Triplin maintains he did receive a diploma but said he has run into problems getting a transcript.

Ryan Seals of the (Greensboro, N.C.) News & Record and Pilot researchers Jakon Hays and Maureen P. Watts contributed to this report.

Janie Bryant, (757) 446-2453, janie.bryant@pilotonline.com