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Beyond running City Council meetings, what are the most important tasks of a Chesapeake mayor?
Cutting ribbons is fun and a symbolic requirement, but equally important will be working to find common ground and build on it. To accomplish those tasks, a mayor must be an active leader who can turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones and obstacles into opportunities. Being mayor will also put me in a unique position to do more for others. It will take time, but I have it to give.
What makes you the best person to lead the city?
I’ve been asked why, after serving 18 years, I’m resigning as councilman to run for mayor. It’s simple: I believe Chesapeake is worth the risk, and it’s safe to say that voters have already had five chances to put my record, temperament and ability to lead under a microscope. What people know is that I don’t make promises I can’t keep, I work hard to be evenhanded and fair, and I keep my word.
What should be the city’s top priority now, and how can it be achieved?
Chesapeake must get its financial house in order and ensure that taxpayers get a reliable return on their investment. Exercising fiscal discipline will be critical, and lowering taxes and fees is one piece. The other is to create more opportunities by supporting a first-class school system and doing more to keep Chesapeake safe. Get that done, and businesses and families will come and stay in Chesapeake with confidence, knowing they can prosper and succeed together.
What do you think will be the city’s most pressing issue in 10 years, and how can the city prepare for it?
As Chesapeake matures, repairing or replacing an aging infrastructure will become more important, not to mention expensive. Since it’s clear Chesapeake can’t afford to fix everything at once, we need to begin saving now. But we must also have the discipline not to blow what we’ve set aside. It’s how families plan and budget, which is an important lesson Chesapeake could do well to learn.
How do you respond to complaints that city leaders put developers' interests ahead of residents' needs?
The record clearly shows I have not. I’ve been very stingy when it comes to voting for projects that look good on paper, but won’t add to our quality of life and end up costing us more. I apply levels of service, common sense and experience to avoid overcrowded schools, roads and environmental threats. It’s why I could not – in good conscience – support a Smiling Earth or half a dozen other projects.
Should the city and state raise more money to pay for transportation projects? If yes, how?
In 1986, I was chairman of a successful Chesapeake road bond referendum. It was the right thing to do. But the burden for building and maintaining Virginia’s transportation system belongs on the state’s shoulders, and forcing Chesapeake to join an unconstitutional transportation authority wasn’t the answer last year, and tinkering with it isn’t the solution now. Let’s be clear: Chesapeake has never had the taxing authority to solve this problem. Only Richmond does.
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Attack you?
I, said "I am sure you are a good guy.." I am just trying to figure out your connection. The voting record indicates Adams favored the developers..I already gave you the project #s and dates as proof..and Adams is endorsed by the Tidewater Builders Assoc. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out. The Public Safety Alliance is influenced by Hayes who is connected to the Sheriff's Dept. and a Democrat. You say some Republicans support Adams, but don't give names. Every organization in the political arena does not support Adams. The Chesapeake Education Association endorsed both candidates. Think about it, the teacher's union agrees that Krasnoff is the best candidate, but can not turn its back on a fellow educator, Adams, so they dually endorse. Where do you get your info? You often lack proof, other than when stating the obvious or incorrect views. FYI: I have a Masters Degree, ha ha!
Too easy???
I'll make it even easier for you! You're assuming that I am the Adam's family photographer? Sorry to disappoint you, but the answer is no. I know you were itching to attack me now. I will make it a little easier for you again. I don't vote by party. I never have and never will!! I will make it event easier for you once again. If the Public Safety Alliance (fire, police and sheriff) endorse her, does that mean that they have her in their pockets as well, or does this mean that they see her as the best candidate for Mayor. Does it also mean that because of some of the Republican's endorsing her, mean that they too have her in their pocket, or does it mean that they feel she is the best candidate for Mayor? I'll make this the big easy for you once again. So if every organization in the political arena endorses Adams, does this mean that they have her in their pockets too. Well, heck, she might as well stay home and just say, "hey vote me yes to everything because I owe everyone."
I'll make this one the big big easy for you once again. You're evidently too smart for me.... ha ha ha.
Pablo, you are making this too easy!
Empty seats in some classrooms? How do you account for the 299 portable classrooms in use by Chesapeake Schools as of 11/07? I am sure you are a good guy, but I can't help but wonder if you are the Adams family's photographer? I guess you have shot the kids and grandkids at Christmas, and now you feel obligated to come to Rebecca's rescue. Am I getting warmer or just plain hot? Rebecca is a good woman, but she is not the best candidate. She calls herself an independent, yet she is endorsed by a local affiliate of the AFL CIO, Chesapeake Democratic Committee, local spinoff of the NAACP, and Tidewater Builders Association (and you say she is not in the developers' pockets). Nearly all of her endorsements come from organizations that are historically connected to the Democrat Party. No wonder she aligns with Hayes and Parker on so many votes. Looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it's a duck. Independent? Please!
You still have that one set mind!
Evidently, you are set in still using the bifolds for tunnel vision. I guess you just can't please everyone. The majority has seen the whole picture and voted for the projects. Also, I wasn't referring to the condos I was referring to the first project YOU listed! The taxes will help with the infrastucture. Of course, Smilin Earth, did you know they were to certify that the company would be able to fund the project in question by knowing who the lenders were and so on. Her votes for over development? Seeshhhh, it all started more than 10 years ago and they were told that this would happen by the school board. They just started addressing the problem 4 years ago... seesshh. But, there are empty seats in some schools. She voted for the HRT just like the majority because if they said no, then, our city would more than likely get no projects done. Anyways, you can blame our Delegates for that kaos, because they didn't want to take on the responsibility. Adams is the right choice for me!!!! She is the ONLY GREAT CHOICE and she is PASSIONATE about the city that I LOVE!!!
Setting the record straight...again!
Proffers may soon be a thing of the past. Revenue from proffers is a one-timer. However, maintaining services and infrastructure to support the new developments and funding for the same is permanent. You call $225k condos “affordable housing”. Affordable for whom? Families earning the median income for Hampton Roads do not even qualify for the loan. Plus, condos are not conducive for family living. Adams votes yes on high cost projects, most of which are destined to fail. Belharbour/SONO will bust, Smilin Earth was a bad vote for the citizens, and HRTA was bad and unconstitutional. Now that the HRTA has been dismantled, she has flip-flopped and says that roads are the state’s responsibility. Her votes for overdevelopment did not help the schools, but the developers laughed all the way to the bank! She continuously votes to raise taxes and squanders the revenue with her votes!
She saved and generated money for the City as a whole.
First of all, she voted for affordable housing, which is critical in Chesapeake and then look at how many children will be leaving the school in question versus upcoming children. Plus, the proffers would help with capital improvement projects or land acquisition for new schools. That equates to money not coming out of taxpayers pockets. It also means increasing the tax base, which means more money! Each one you mentioned is a no brainer to an open mind -- she voted on projects that would increase the tax base and proffers would help with school capital improvement projects and/or improving the roads and so on. So, the projects she voted on did not increase taxpayers money to improve the area or nearby schools -- what does this mean??? She saved the taxpayers money and capital improvement projects for nearby affected schools can get their projects done faster instead of adding it to a list that is about 1 billion in unfunded projects. These are sound business decisions for the City as a whole! But you know what, you can't please everyone. Does this help you?
Pablo...talk is cheap!
Cite your resources and the specific dates and subjects of the votes that you write about. Alan votes with the taxpayers in mind and is not swayed by the status quo, PACS, or other special interest groups. If anybody wants proof, I have it! If anybody wants to see the proof from the voting record, I can provide it! Adams has approved rezoning of land several times from business or agricultural to residential resulting in the over development that has overcrowded our schools, as well as stressed our first responders and infrastructure. 5/15/07-project R(C)-07-02; 6/19/2007-project GB(M)-07-01; 7/17/2007-project R(C)-07-06; 10/16/2007-project R(C)-07-18; 1/19/2008-project R(C)-07-32; 1/19/2008-project R(C)-07-36; 1/22/2008-project R(PUD)-05-02. There are seven examples. Look them up!!
Not the Right Choice for Mayor!
First of all, you haven't turned stumbling blocks into stepping stones since you've been on council. Repeatedly you lack support to turn your so-called stumbling blocks into stepping stones, rather, you stumble over the stumbling blocks because you fail to bring everyone together to find the common ground that you so speak of. Second of all, voters didn't question your half truth record. Why? They don't play the same political games that you play Krasnoff!! You've been serving for 18 years? Hmmm... that's interesting to know that you were part of the problems we have today! What, you couldn't find common ground to build on for 18 years? Is this why members of your party don't support you because they either don't like you or perhaps they know you're a bad choice to represent the City of Chesapeake? You are clearly NOT the 'Right Choice!!' In closing, you take advantage of people who are not playing your game and you know some people won't say anything about your game, well, I don't play political games when it comes to my city that I grew up in, live, and love!!
This candidate is genuine!
Alan Krasnoff speaks from the heart and backs what he says! He is patient, prudent, honest, diligent, kind, enthusiastic, and most importantly: fiscally responsible. Look at the voting record. He has voted to decrease taxes and to eradicate wasteful spending. Do not take my word for it...the voting record speaks for itself!! All you have to do is look. Do you want more money in your pocket? Vote for Alan Krasnoff. If you want to pay more taxes, vote for Adams. It is that simple. It is your choice!