The Queen of Hearts Departs

Commentary

Cathy Coleman, after 30 years, is leaving her throne as the president and CEO of the Downtown Norfolk Council, the not-for-profit group dedicated to improving downtown Norfolk.

Her dynasty has ended.

She departs.

Whether she leaves in disgrace or triumph is for readers to decide.

Word has it that her opposition to the Granby Street Experience, a block party held in September was the last straw.

Supposedly, she clashed with City Manager, Marcus Jones, about the 3-hour event, showcasing the military, Granby Street businesses and restaurants.

Coleman can point to her triumphs, but others who have known her point to her obstinacy and subterfuge to sabotage projects, ideas and people she didn’t like or didn’t see her way.

She was the Queen of Hearts, saying “Off with her head, off with his head,” if she felt threatened or indisposed toward someone.

Coleman was charming, endearing to the right people and had a passion for transforming the streets and window fronts of Granby Street and other downtown venues.

Yet she threatened the opposition, vetoed ideas that might undermine her authority and browbeat others into bending to her wishes.

Many within the city felt it was better to let her have her way instead of curtailing her power and gave her the money to silence her.

She won.

Yet she lost.

Now she is leaving and it’s for readers and others who have dealt with her over the years to gauge her legacy to Norfolk.

So who will replace Coleman?

Mary Miller, who has worked beside Coleman since 2004as DNC Vice President and Director of Marketing, will assume the post Jan. 1, 2013.

This isn’t a surprise.

Coleman anointed her, really.

Miller is steeped in city affairs and the byzantine layers of city planning and bureaucracy.

Miller is the right hire for the right time.

It’s time for Norfolk to reach for the future instead of slogging around in the quagmire of the past.

Miller engages. And engagement with city departments and downtown property owners and the public is a step forward in the right direction.

Coleman triumphed with a will and spirit. In the beginning, perhaps she was more inclined to embrace new ideas.

Yet after three decades – an unheard of tenure for someone in the private sector today --  she hardened, putting her energy more into solidifying her power base instead of confronting the realities of the streets.  

So it’s time for a change of style and one that will propel downtown Norfolk in a new direction.