Real estate appraiser in Norfolk council race

NORFOLK

Earl Fraley Jr., a member of the Planning Commission and a Virginia Beach real estate appraiser, is the first candidate to announce for a special City Council election.

Fraley said he plans to run Nov. 2 for the Superw ard 7 seat, which covers half the city. Daun S. Hester was forced to step down from the seat in June because she challenged Mayor Paul Fraim in the May election. Two years remain on her term.

Fraley, 63, is a graduate of Norfolk Catholic High School and Virginia State University. He is a former manager with the Norfolk and East Orange, N.J., water systems. He also worked with Bell Atlantic, now known as Verizon, as a planning and design engineer.

He has served three years on the Planning Commission, which reviews rezoning and development proposals before they go to the council, and was encouraged to run by Councilman Paul R. Riddick.

"He's familiar with what we do on the council," Riddick said.

Fraley said his tenure with the Norfolk water system is also an asset. He said the system needs to create more revenue.

"This is a trying time for the city because of the economy," he said. "We're going to need some new ideas. I think I can help the city move forward."

The council meets at 3 p.m. today to interview three finalists to fill the Superw ard 7 seat until November - former School Board member Alveta Green, newspaper publisher Brenda Andrews and former Norfolk State administrator Jimmie D. Wilson.

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