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| Alphonso Albert |
By Harry Minium
The Virginian-Pilot
NORFOLK
Facing continuing opposition from some City Council members, Alphonso Albert resigned from employment with the city Tuesday night, saying he didn’t want controversy over his hiring “to continue to harm the future of good city programs” or the city manager.
Albert, who previously ran a well-regarded program that helps former inmates, was named to head the newly created Office of Public and Criminal Justice in September. His hiring was not questioned until The Virginian-Pilot revealed two weeks ago that he had a criminal record.
Albert was convicted of manslaughter in 1977 and of several felony drug charges over the next eight years. He was indicted for murder in 1990 but a jury found him not guilty.
Some law enforcement officials complained that in his new role, Albert would have some authority over police, though he wouldn’t directly oversee them. Several City Council members withdrew their support for Albert, saying they had not been fully aware of his criminal record.
After a week of turmoil that split the council along racial lines, City Manager Regina V.K. Williams announced that Albert would become manager of volunteerism and special services, a job that does not deal with law enforcement. Albert was to develop partnerships with religious organizations and other groups to increase the number of volunteers who work with the city, she said.
Williams also called for “the community to come together to support both the city and Mr. Albert and his family in moving forward.”
But that did not happen, as five of eight council members expressed some doubts this week about the new position.
Three council members – W. Randy Wright, Barclay C. Winn and Don Williams – opposed the new position, saying that it had been created especially for Albert without being advertised. Mayor Paul Fraim and Councilwoman Theresa Whibley said earlier this week they were undecided on Albert’s new job and needed more information. That placed funding for the new position in jeopardy.
Councilman Paul R. Riddick, Albert’s most outspoken supporter, said pressure from council members clearly led to his resignation.
“I think the council has overstepped its bounds,” Riddick said. “We’ve vulnerable to a lawsuit here. The council does not have the power to affect personnel decisions. That’s up to the city manager, and here is a case where that clearly happened. I hope we pay for it.”
Wright said he admired Albert for “putting his city first.”
“This has been a difficult time for the entire city, as well as for Alphonso,” he said. “It’s in everyone’s best interest that he took this step.”
The city manager said she accepted Albert’s resignation “with regret.”
“The public conversations over the last two weeks have damaged a changed man and his good family,” she said in a news release. “Mr. Albert has the experience in grass-roots community service that would have been valuable to our city.”
Although critics of Albert’s elevation to the crime-fighting post say the issue has nothing to do with race, Riddick said Albert was targeted by council members, the media and white community leaders because he is black. He charged that many of Albert’s critics have a history of opposing measures that benefit the black community, such as busing for school desegregation.
Vivian Paige, who blogs about local politics, said city officials could have avoided the controversy if they had taken applications for the original job rather than hand-picking Albert.
“It’s disappointing, but had the process been open, it wouldn’t have ended up this way,” she said. “I’m convinced he would have done a good job. But the process was flawed.”
It could not be determined Tuesday whether Albert will return to his former job directing Second Chances, which is run by the Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project. Edith R. Jones, who heads STOP, said earlier on Tuesday that her organization has not yet found a permanent replacement for Albert.
Albert was being paid $98,500 in the criminal justice post. His salary for the second job had not been determined. He earned $94,000 at Second Chances, Williams said.
In his statement, Albert said the last two weeks have been an ordeal for him and his family.
“When approached to take on the challenge of coordinating a variety of city programs aimed at improving the social and physical conditions of our poorest and crime-ridden neighborhoods, I saw it as a chance to continue my service,” he said. “These were responsibilities I did not seek, but was eager to take on in the hope that I could make a positive difference.
“Yet others have not been able to accept my past ,” Albert said. “They cannot see I am a husband, father, grandfather, proud veteran Marine, social worker, leader in my church and a child of God, a person who simply wanted to help.”
State Del. Kenneth Alexander, D-Norfolk, who has helped Albert at Second Chances, said he hopes Albert returns to that group, if that’s what he desires.
“He has done great work there,” Alexander said. “Our city is a better, richer community for his service.”
Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371,
harry.minium@pilotonline.com
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You anti-Regina V.K. Williams types have it all wrong
This entire incident was brilliant strategery on her part...bringing Alphonzo into the public eye so that he would be obligated to pay his outstanding fines.
Ain't it great when a plan comes together.
He's gone.
Can we please move onto some other world altering crisis?
More than 1 side to a story
it is so unbelievable how the news media are being priased for such a remarkable job in reporting but they really have only reported what sells papers and makes ratings for them and have suceeded. we have been so misinformed by them which has lead to this controversol event and still no one knows the real facts of the matter which is Mr.Albert has been doing this type of work for the city and community for 8 to 10years and was hired to do so in the proper fashion. what occurred was only a title and responsibilty change that the council and city manager approved to allow him to work with police etc. all of the other slander has been cause by us the citizens hearing only half truths instead of all the FACTS via the media and that hurts us all
It's about time...
that Mr.Albert made a smart decision. I think he could do a lot of good in Norfolk, just not in law enforcement.
Thanks to Stephanie D
Thank you Stephanie for recognizing the victims of Mr. Albert, my brothers cannot ever live the life he has be graced with unjustly...you are right..all these people who are saying "get over it" let him move on....try telling the LOPES family that...this oh so great human being doesn't even have the courage to apolojize to my family...some of these people should really think before they speak.
Secret decisions...
Riddick complained that the council made their "decision" before taking a vote. What decision did he, Williams and Alberts have before "he was hired". Williams and Riddick must go. If Alberts is so good, he will find a job with pay commensurate with the going rate and value he deserves. And Norfolk, do not feel bad , VB has the same kind of people on their city council having secret decisions, and a strong "good ole boy" network. Spoore, maybe you should retire...
It's time to change policy on felons!
Perhaps it's time for the state of Virginia to stop discriminating against convicted felons and allow them to serve in selected city and state government positions! I have noticed a few posters state that the military doesn't allow felons in it's ranks; however, this is far from the truth! The military has many ex-felons who has served or is serving in it's ranks because of waivers given! It was a common policy for judges to suspend punishment and probation for those who joined the military with these waivers. This practice will become more prevalent in the future as recruiting becomes more of a challenge. Even felons can turn their lives around if given an opportunity. The prison system and state hiring practices has roots of discriminatio
City of Norfolk's Hiring and Promotion Policies
Our City Manager should be at the top of the list when it comes to advertising for any position that is created or becomes available. I am sure that there are many qualified college educated individuals that work in the criminal justice field. Everytime we resort to the good ole boy system, we lose the opportunity to put the most qualified person in a job that they deserve. This type of balant disregard for the hiring and promotion policy will have a negative affect on your employee morale as well as other ethical issues. When positions become available-- do the right thing--advertise the position(s)--this will give everyone a fair chance.
Albert Resigns, City Manager Next?
This travesty was wholly created by the City Manager. She has made the City of Norfolk a regional laughing stock. The City Council and city staff are the subject of ridicule due to her incompetence. Again and again the Norfolk City Manager has continued to blunder. How much longer must the City Council and Citizens of Norfolk endure. Mr. Albert did the right thing. It is now time that the Citizens of Norfolk and City Council members demand the City Manager's resignation. Citizens of Norfolk demand your City Council take action at the next City Council meeting to end this pitiful management of your City.
Lynching ...
Still a southern tradition ...
Kudos To The Free Press
Kudos to the Virginian Pilot on doing a superb job in exposing corruption and incompetence in the Norfolk leadership. Regina Williams should resign as she is either corrupt or incompetent. She should have never feigned ignorance about Mr Albert's past once it was exposed. She should have posted the position so the public at large could apply. Let the best candidate win, just like Martin Luther King and the rest of us would have wanted. Riddick remains a disgrace and uses his usual racist tirades to incite his useful idiots to rant even more racist comments. Riddick would see racism in a setting sun if he thought it would benefit him. If it weren't for the free press this charade would have gone on uncontested. Thank you Virginian Pilot
Talking About a Lawsuit
Wow did I see someone capitalize on public servants, that's a racist indication and thenstate, stop the convicted felon and call the man a convicted killer, you just murdered him with your mouth. Hopefully Mr. Albert is keeping a log of all those who have dug ditches for him, slandered his name, disgraced him and his family and have re-arrested, tried, convicted and threw him back into prison,for the same ditch you dig for someone else, be careful, because you may end up falling in yourself, as for scripture; it is written, whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap in other words, what goes around comes around, stay encouraged Mr. A, when one door closes, God always opens a windowof opportunities. And many prayers for both families
Hope Mr albert can move on... Glad he resigned Thanks
Mr Albert poor me comments come upon deaf ears to many of his victims and law abiding citizens. First of all (marine) how long did he serve and seems weird most Vets the best of citizens. Showing Honer Courage and Commitment. How long after your discharge was mr Alberts first felony conviction? He had more than 3 felony convictions some states thats a life time prison sentence (habitial offender)
Please explain why even after you found a job making over 90K a year you never paid the city of Norfolk the 10,000 dollars in fines. Mr Albert allowed his friend Regina Williams to bypass city hiring pratices, knowing his back ground would eliminate him from this position. She should be fired. I wish Mr Albert luck, but I do not feel sorry.
Interview
I wonder what type of resume this individual had??? I can only imagine the qualities of the individuals Norfolk had to turn down for this position if this was be "best candidate". Or as everyone has said "this is a racial" issue? It was racial, only one race was going to fill this "made-up" position. Now we know what Norfolk is doing with the extra money they took in from property taxes.
Too Bad
Williams should resign as well since she obviously has no skills as a manager. Norfolk, I feel for you. We in VB have Spore controlling our city council. You have a city managler as bad as we do. Both cities need to get back to functioning as city governments, not dealing with the good-ole-boy networks.
I have followed,,
this story from the beginning and the first ans only mention of race came from Mr. Riddick....as usual....that's his trump card...how can posters here call people a racist because they oppose this man based on his crimminal record.. and nothing else...this race card is getting old and it does not help people of color...
Rehab????
perfect example of someone trying to rehabiltate and not being allowed to. maybe you should throw away the key on all convicted felons because it appears that regardless of how much a person changes from making a mistake they will still be look at and treated the same!!
Will those 2 positions be filled?
Regina Williams created 2 positions for Albert, will she strive now to fill them or just ignore them? She needs to answer that question, because if she doesn't then, in my book it will look exactly as what people have been saing that this was nothing but pure favortism to a friend. Mr. Albert did the right thing, something Ms. Williams did not.
What the real issue should be
This is not an Alphonso Albert issue. The question is...can Norfolk City officials ignore hiring/promotion policies, designed to encourage those in the public services arena to advance themselves? Can the city ignore adequate scrutiny when hiring, designed to protect the community and its citizens? If simple policy had been followed using job postings and background checks...all the foot in the mouth rhetoric and excuses over that last two weeks would not have surfaced. This is 100% a management issue...I can assure you that if the job had been posted properly, there would have been plenty of African-Americans both qualified and capable of the job. That is the tragedy here...it's truly a disservice to the community.
heres an idea
how about we let mr albert take riddicks job.....
Too Bad, Al had a sweet deal
Too bad William's cover got blown and this whole thing blew up. She had her buddy all set up and wham! The light of day shone through - darn it. Anyway Norfolk, don't fret, you still have Riddick. Good luck.
Not The Good Old Fella You Think
It is good that Albert has turn his life around, but the only ones he has help is himself and maybe another Lopes victim. Sure, he help other felons find jobs,but he was paid to do this. Its not like he did this on his own time and for free. So lets put things in perspective. Any one of us could have done his job.
Alphonso Albert -- 2006 DNC Volunteer of the Year
Alonso A. Albert is being recognized with the Roy Badgley Distinguished Service Award. This award acknowledges an unsung hero who contributes to the growth, vitality and overall appeal of downtown Norfolk through the commitment of volunteer service and involvement.
The Downtown Norfolk Council (DNC) is a private, not-for-profit membership
organization comprised of businesses and individuals working toward a dynamic,
attractive and prosperous downtown
Hmmm...
While I agree he should not be in the initial role over city police in any capacity, the other position seemed fine. Sometimes ones life choices mean you have opted out of certain positions and that has nothing to do with race and everything to do with your past decisions. That people make this to be a race issue just shows that some folks never learn and always want to place a race card for everything and we're tired of hearing it. This is pretty much a cut and dry felony matter. People who think it is race should grow up! Anyone who ran him out from the other position have issues though. Really this whole thing could have been avoided had they checked his background better as an applicant... Hope he does well in his future endeavors!
Finally, the right decision
Give me a break...this is a classic "fox watching the hen house" scenario.
Censure Councilman Riddick
Councilman Paul Riddick must be officially reprimanded by City Council for his inappropriate remarks at the last City Council Meeting. When he asked that black citizens boycott Norfolk businesses, he is hurting all the citizens of Norfolk. Censure is in order.
City Manager- Resign
Mr. Albert committed serious crimes. He has done the "right" thing by stepping down. Now, your City Manager must do the same thing. Thanks to the Pilot for reporting this story.
Resigning showed me something about this man.
I've felt that Mr.Albert was put into a lose lose situation from the start by Mrs Williams. Then Riddick and his racist attitude added fuel to the fire.I wonder in my heart if Mr. Albert himself might have questioned the fact of him being the best man for the job. I'm sure he knew the limits being a felon put's on himself for the rest of his life in job opportunitys. Wouldn't most everyone question a city position that didn't include any other applicants? Mr Albert did the right thing by resigning. He just showed me some of his USMC values. Sometimes you need to take a step down to prove that you are the bigger man. I believe he knows in his heart he did the right thing. Continue with the good work you were doing before this mess began.
hope the city pays?
Riddick thinks the council has overstepped its bounds and hopes the city pays? He must be all too knowing for he routinely oversteps his bounds, usually with his mouth, and he continuously makes the city pay with his bigotted attitude. It is a fact that the city manager does what she wants, and yes, along with "appointing" her friends, she also violates the city hiring policies...is that the lawsuit issue riddick was speaking about? It is sad that albert had to resign, but had he not partaken in the special treatment afforded to him by the city manager, he would have avoided all this hoopla over his felony police record.
Stephanie D and Blake E:
You both said exactly what I've been sitting here thinking but I've actually been too angry to post. So thank you, I agree completely. The cliche "repay debt to society" is overused and worn out now, and what does it really mean? But enough about Albert. Let's go on to Regina Williams. Since the Pilot's on a roll, I'd like to see someone dig around and get the "This-is-what-happens-to-the-City-Manager-when-she-fails-to-disclose-vital-information-to-the-council-and-embarass-the-city policy.