Randy Wright Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Old Dominion University
3023 Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library
Old Dominion University
4427 Hampton Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23529
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jessica Ritchie
Phone: (757) 683-4483
Fax: (757) 683-5954
Restrictions:

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Terms of access:

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Randy Wright Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
1.60 Linear Feet and 4 Hollinger document cases boxes
Creator:
Wright, W. Randy (1946-)
Abstract:
The Randy Wright collection contains documents related to his political career ranging from 1986-2010
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Randy Wright Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains correspondence, subject files, and other material pertaining to former Norfolk City Council member Randy Wrightt. The bulk of the collection contains material related to Wright's tenure representing Ward 5 on the Norfolk City Council.

Biographical / historical:

Randy Wright was born in Norfolk, Virginia in August of 1946. After graduating from Norfolk Public Schools in 1964, Wright began working as an apprentice printer.

It was not until the mid-1970's that Wright had begun voicing his political opinion when he started attending Roosevelt Area Civic League meetings. When Wright was asked by Civic League Officer Joanne Wall to be the civic league president, his political career had officially started. During the next ten years, Wright formed a group called the Norfolk Tea Party, and started his own printing business that is still operating to this day, Randy Wright Printing Co.

As a first time runner for city council in 1986, Wright lost by fewer than 500 votes. Just two years later, he began serving on the State Board of Commerce until 1996, acting as its chair from 1990-1992. In 1992 he was elected a member of the Norfolk City Council representing Ward 5. Wright has also served, or is still serving, in the Economic and Community Business Development Committee, the Transportation Committee of the Council, the Downtown Development Task Force, the Mayor's Ocean View Task Force, the East Little Creek Road Partnership, the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads, and a number of public transportation committees including chairing the Hampton Roads Transit's New Starts Committee. Wright is also largely responsible for bringing The Tide light rail system to Hampton Roads.

Note written by Mel Frizzell

Acquisition information:

W. Randy Wright

Gift. Accession #A2010-19

Processing information:

The finding aid waas created by Mel Frizzell, Special Collections Assistant, in 2011.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into three series: Series I: Personal; Series II: Correspondence; and Series III: Light Rail Transit.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard