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February 10, 1992 Singleton drawing praise from many Michael
Paul Williams But both men like and trust Singleton, a stockbroker who was appointed last week to fill the council seat vacated by now-state Sen. Henry L. Marsh III. "I think that he will make an excellent council member," El-Amin said, "because he's independent, he's Afrocentric in his thinking, and has an extremely incisive mind." El-Amin, who employed Singleton as an investigator and paralegal during the late 1970s, said the newcomer brings a sense of fairness, fresh perspective and financial acumen that's sorely needed on the council. He added that Singleton won't be beholden to traditional power brokers like the city's black clergy, the Richmond Crusade for Voters or the black faction on the council. "Rodney (as friends call him) will be inclined to vote with African Americans on issues he feels comfortable with his agenda will be the community's agenda, particularly the African American community," El-Amin said Martin, who has known Singleton since both were undergraduates at the University of Virginia, said the new councilman "is going to weigh each issue on its own merit." He described Singleton as "very honest" -- the kind of person who "would not be comfortable with himself if he compromised a principle that's important to him." Martin said that Singleton also will bring a dogged determination to issues that deeply trouble him, like the city's homicide rate. "Rod is definitely a compassionate guy. It really bothers him when he looks at the news and hears about folks being shot and killed in various parts of the city." Oliver Rodney Hunt Singleton inspired comfort following his appointment last week, even among people who seldom agree. Singleton will likely cast crucial swing votes on the nine-member council, given the 4-4 deadlock along racial lines that stymied it from appointing Marsh's successor. The council, virtually to a man and woman, lauded his appointment by Chief Circuit Judge Robert W. Duling. A coterie of Church Hill ministers who sat in Duling's courtroom during the announcement also approved. So did professionals, friends and at least one political observer. "He certainly appears at first sight to be an excellent choice," said Dr. Robert D. Holsworth, a political science professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, "largely because he really appears to be the compromise candidate the council couldn't find." "He comes in at a very excellent position . . . as someone who could bring a divided council together." It's the sort of goodwill that can be built upon if Singleton "gives evidence of trying to elevate the council to a new level," but could evaporate quickly if he falls prey to council factionalism, Dr. Holsworth said. Those who greeted the appointment with less enthusiasm cited the low-key Singleton's status as a relative unknown in some segments of his Church Hill district. Arthur L. Burton, a state accountant who plans to run for the district seat in May, said he and others north of Broad Street were adopting a wait-and-see attitude toward Singleton. "To be honest with you, I don't know him," Burton said. Although Gladys Perry wasn't familiar with Singleton before his appointment, "those things that I have learned are very positive," said the president of the Bowler-Mason Neighborhood Association. "He seems to be the type of man who will represent anyone and all people in a positive manner." Singleton, 39, is a vice president and financial consultant for Shearson Lehman Brothers, a national brokerage house whose Richmond office is located in the atrium of the James Center. He lives at 2708 E. Grace Street, in the historic district near St. John's Church. He said Tuesday that he and his wife chose Church Hill because "we wanted to bring our children up in an environment where they saw rich people, poor people, black people, white people, where there wasn't a sameness, a blandness." His family includes wife Rose, a personnel recruiter at Philip Morris USA; daughter Rachel, 5; and 3-month-old son Oliver. It was an admittedly intimidated Singleton, flinching at the sudden spotlight, who was sworn in Tuesday. His initial reticence notwithstanding, Singleton -- bantering with his secretary, his co-workers and a client calling from London -- appeared to be basking in the glow of his appointment during an interview in his office later in the week. A burgundy "Richmond 1782" pin, lodged in the lapel of his charcoal suit, punctuated his new position. "I've been called your excellency . . . my ring's been kissed," he said, welcoming levity amid the gravity. Singleton
says he won't run for election in May, citing the demands of his job
and concern over the health of members of his family. His
wife
and father have had recent bouts with ill-health, and his 5-year-old
daughter has cerebral palsy. But he doesn't intend merely to keep the
seat warm between now and when the new council takes office in July. He
has asked the Rev. Darrel Rollins, pastor of 31st Street Baptist
Church, to convene several "town meetings" for the 7th District. "Yeah,
I've got some things I want to pursue," Singleton said. "But it's more
important what the residents of the 7th District want me to pursue. I'm
especially sensitive to this because I was appointed, not elected." Singleton required a hard sell from Judge Duling. Duling, who under the City Charter was charged with making the appointment after the City Council could not do so within 30 days, was "relentless," Singleton said. The judge's efforts, "combined with the fact that my wife was really getting behind it," eventually persuaded him. Singleton admitted to being intimidated by the post "because council's going to deal with some extremely important matters that are charged politically. Even after these couple of days, I've felt an an enormous amount of pressure put on me by various groups trying to put forth their position." Singleton, bouncing a ball of rubber bands off his floor, said "the other side of that is, I'm glad it's me. Because my one vote will be cast without politics." Singleton appeared unconcerned at the prospect of having to align with the council's blacks or whites. `I'm not sure that good decisions have a race," he said. If he has a political philosophy, "I believe that in a civilized society, there should be a safety net. I believe that society owes its citizens an education, a decent living environment . . . At the same time, I believe that government can't solve all society's problems." He begins talking about the city's homicide rate. As of Friday, 23 people had been slain. That angers Singleton, who feels the community is not suitably outraged. Police are doing a good job, he maintains, "but still we're killing a person a day around here. I don't fault the police department. It's our fault." Singleton is old enough to recall a time, growing up in Norfolk's Huntersville section, when people looked out for each other. If children were seen misbehaving by a neighbor, "he or she would correct us and take us home, where we would be corrected again." It's different nowadays. But to Singleton, it still doesn't make sense for a resident to look the other way while a neighbor breaks the law. He asks why someone who lives next door to a drug dealer should be surprised when gunfire erupts. The implication is obvious: witnesses must shove aside their fears and testify against law breakers. "Isn't the alternative that he'll kill you anyway? . . . just slowly? Isn't the fear of going out on your porch a slow death?"
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