DRUGS A HOT TOPIC AT NN CANDIDATE FORUM

NEWPORT NEWS -- Mayor Joe Frank talked about educating children, balancing
city finances and fighting juvenile crime.

Challenger Billy Hudgins, a mechanic, talked about wearing his new suit,
encouraging residents to make their own campaign signs and solving the drug
problem in Newport News.

On that last one, Hudgins said he has known how to rid the city of drugs
for the past three years. On Monday, though, he wasn't sharing his solution.

"If I told them how to do it," he said, referring to City Council, "then
they would do it."

Frank and Hudgins answered questions for about 30 residents at the first
election forum for this year's mayoral race. The North Newport News Civic
League sponsored it. Other candidates for City Council and School Board
also attended. They were either unopposed or running in races not invited
to formally debate.

Election Day is May 7. The mayor serves a four-year term.

In 1998, Frank easily defeated Hudgins, receiving about 15 votes for every
one that Hudgins received. The main challenger was former Mayor Joe Ritchie.

"I don't think you really know how to stop drugs," resident Clarence Harris
told Hudgins. "I think you're saying something you can't do anything about."

Harris went on to say that drugs ruin or end the lives of too many people
in Newport News. He urged Hudgins to share his alleged secret.

"If you don't win," Harris said, "please tell brother Frank. Please tell
him. Write him a letter."