Dr. James W. Holley, III, D.D.S. (born November 24, 1926) is an American politician and retired dental surgeon, currently serving as mayor of Portsmouth, Virginia. Though blunt and often controversial, he has remained popular with constituents.
Early life
After graduating from Portsmouth's I. C. Norcom High School in 1944, Holley served in the United States Army during World War II, stationed in Camp Livingston in Louisiana. Following the war, he attended West Virginia State College (now West Virginia State University), and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1949. From there he went to Washington, D.C. where he attended dental school at the Howard University College of Dentistry, graduating in 1955. He has also received an honorary law degree from West Virginia State. He attended college on the G.I. Bill. During a reception in the late 1950s, Holley met Virginia Union University student Mary Walker; the couple would marry in 1960.
Holley joined the battle for civil rights in the 1950s and 60s, and played an integral role in the desegregation of Portsmouth, winning court battles which allowed for the equal use of the city's libraries, hospitals, restaurants and golf courses. During the course of his involvement in the civil rights movement, Holley entertained Martin Luther King, Jr. at his home on multiple occasions.
Politics
Holley first served as a member of the Portsmouth City Council from 1968 to 1984, and was vice-mayor from 1978 to 1980. Upon his election in 1968, he became the first African American to serve on Portsmouth's City Council. He has twice held the office of mayor, first from July 1, 1984, to December 15, 1987, and again from July 1996 to the present day. Holley is also the first African American mayor in the city's history. His first term came to an end when he was forced from office following an expense account scandal, becoming the first Virginia politician in modern times to be recalled. Another factor in Holley's removal from office was his being linked to hate mail that was sent to community leaders. In May 2008 Holley was re-elected, narrowly defeating challenger Martha Ann Creecy in the first contested mayoral election in Portsmouth since 1996.
While an Independent, Holley has backed both Democrats and Republicans running for office, including Hillary Rodham Clinton's 2008 presidential bid and former Senator George Allen's 2006 re-election bid. He also made a campaign contribution to Barack Obama.
Holley has supported a smoking ban proposed by Tim Kaine. He also serves as chairman of Hampton Roads Transit.
Holley drew criticism in 2008 for suggesting that Portsmouth needed a "black" hotel to act as a counter-balance to the "white" Renaissance Hotel. Holley was an early supporter of the Renaissance; his portrait hangs in the lobby, and the hotel's ballroom is named the "Holley Ballroom." He later apologized for the remark, saying that his words were "misconstrued" and "misinterpreted."
Fashion
Holley is known for his stylish dress. He appeared in the September 2007 issue of Esquire along with Virginia Beach, Virginia mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf in a feature chronicling U.S. mayors.
Notes
- ^ George Allen will be in Portsmouth today with Mayor Holley , 2006-10-06 , http://www.zimbio.com/pilot?ID=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fmosquito-blog.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F10%2Fgeorge-allen-will-be-in-portsmouth.html&ZURL=%2FMayor%2BJames%2BHolley%2Ftrackers%2F4%2FBlog%2BSearch%2BTracker , retrieved 2007-08-26
- ^ Official Biography , http://www.portsmouthva.gov/council/holley.htm , retrieved 2007-08-26
- ^ Jordan, Ida Kay (1996-12-08), AROUND TOWN - PORTSMOUTH.(PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS) , The Virginian Pilot , http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-73140303.html , retrieved 2008-12-26
- ^ Hoyer, Meghan (2008-04-13), Highlighting Portsmouth’s positives has worked for a leader who once was recalled , The Virginian-Pilot , http://hamptonroads.com/2008/04/highlighting-portsmouth%E2%80%99s-positives-has-worked-leader-who-once-was-recalled , retrieved 2008-07-16
- ^ a b Messina, Debbie (2007-10-09), HRT president named chairman of national transit group , The Virginian-Pilot , http://hamptonroads.com/node/341721 , retrieved 2009-01-13
- ^ a b Ayres Jr., B. Drummond (1987-12-13), Racial Split Feared in Bid to Remove Black Mayor in Virginia , The New York Times , http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE4D71731F930A25751C1A961948260 , retrieved 2007-10-19
- ^ Wharton, Tony (1996-05-08), HOLLEY TOUCH MAY BE BACK WITH RETURN AS MAYOR , The Virginian-Pilot , http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68748820.html , retrieved 2009-01-13
- ^ Whitt, Toni (1996-06-16), PORTSMOUTH COMMITTEE: FRIENDS, WORKING FOR CITY , The Virginian-Pilot , http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-73187157.html , retrieved 2007-10-19
- ^ a b c d Russell, Lia (2008-04-22), Portsmouth's First Citizen forged local civil rights , The Virginian-Pilot , http://hamptonroads.com/2008/04/portsmouths-first-citizen-forged-local-civil-rights , retrieved 2008-07-16 ...
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