CHESAPEAKE
Belharbour Station at SoNo comes up at just about every political forum here these days.
As much as any issue, the $200 million mixed-use project has been a lightning rod in Chesapeake’s City Council and mayoral elections. The development, which could add more than 500 condos and apartments in a mostly industrial area of South Norfolk, will be surrounded by about $35 million in public improvements.
With 15 candidates for council and two for mayor, it’s one of the few issues that helps set the candidates apart for residents in the audience.
Incumbent council members C.E. “Cliff” Hayes Jr., Dwight Parker and Patricia Willis, who are running for re-election May 6, voted for the project. So did Councilwoman Rebecca Adams, who is running for mayor.
Those incumbents say they see the project as an important piece of the revitalization of South Norfolk and fully supported spending about $35 million in specially set-aside tax money to complete projects surrounding the development.
On the other side are council-critics-turned-candidates Gene Waters and Thomas Arrington III, who have taken every opportunity to blast the Belharbour vote as a symbol of the council’s wasteful spending and coziness with developers.
One of the most outspoken candidates against Belharbour has been Councilman Alan Krasnoff, a mayoral candidate whose vote against the project led to one of the most tense moments of the campaign so far. At the tail end of a South Norfolk Civic League forum, one of the group’s members wanted to thank the incumbents who supported South Norfolk and asked them all to stand but one: Krasnoff.
Some candidates say Belharbour shouldn’t be a campaign issue at all . Others say the forums have been difficult because there are so many candidates, and each one gets little more than 90 seconds to answer a question.
So far, candidates have been asked to share their opinions about crime, police staffing and the council’s vote on a massive biodiesel project. Other big topics have included the city budget and real estate tax rate.
And the field certainly has a wide variety of candidates all trying to appeal to people in the crowd. At the forums, Suzy Kelly, Burnie Mansfield and Mick Meyer have cast themselves as the candidates with business experience the council needs.
Candidates Michael Murphy, Rodney Wilkins and Peter Conlogue introduce themselves as representatives of the average Chesapeake citizen who works or has children in school here.
Challengers Rodney Foster, Debbie Ritter, John Henry Martin and Rick West cast themselves as people who have been around the system and know how to be careful with the community’s tax money.
Some of the challengers have shied away from taking a stance on Belharbour. No one has stood behind the project more than the incumbents.
At nearly every forum, Willis said she has to explain the South Norfolk “tax-increment finance” district, which basically takes tax money from some South Norfolk residents and businesses and puts it into a pot specifically for improvements in that area. Willis and the other incumbents explain the TIF district to bolster arguments that money for Belharbour is coming only from South Norfolk and not other parts of the city.
“Those running against the incumbents are trying to make it look as if we’re spending $40 million that could be used for something else,” Willis said.
Krasnoff has argued that the money could be used for something else.
“Can you imagine what you could do for South Norfolk with that kind of money?” asked Krasnoff, suggesting that the money could pay for numerous streetlights. “You could light up the whole area.”
Mike Saewitz, (757) 222-5207, mike.saewitz@pilotonline.com
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Mayoral Candidate
Krasnoff voted NO to doing business with a convicted drug dealing felon. Smiling Earth Biodiesel. Krasnoff voted NO to the illegal & unconstitutional HRTA. Krasnoff voted NO to raising your real estate taxes. The choice for mayor is a NO-BRAINER, KRASNOFF, period. Remember it's very easy to vote YES, like everyone else. Something Adams does all the time. Vote KRASNOFF for a better Chesapeake.
Talk is cheap Pablo!
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!!
Krasnoff lowering taxes?
Once again people are given half truths to make Krasnoff look better. The project? If you take a look at all the paperwork on the project, you will see that the seniors needs are met! The city won't have to bail them out because their are things in place with the project to protect the city from any bail out. Lights don't deter crime, more police presence and citizen involvement does! Thus far, South Norfolk is on it's way to an economic growth that will stimulate the economy in South Norfolk. You said the key words, run down. How do you get rid of run down places? Putting ordinances in place to fix the problem and creating solutions.
Lowering Taxes, Krasnoff? If he could not get common ground on Council for 18 years, then, how in the world will he get it as Mayor? Use common sense! To think that his record speaks for itself, is only a mirage to his political games he's playing with the residents. It's half truth to make him look better, you're being played!
Rogers...say what you want.....
but knowing Adams for 100 years does not change the fact that the vote speaks for itself. The ad was truthful, even if a "stinger" for your friend. The motion was for a mere one week continuance to make sure that the senor citizens needs were met. Adams would not even support the motion which ultimately hurt our seniors. The vote speaks for itself.
Our Voice Our Mayor
I support Alan, he's not against the revitalization of South Norfolk at all, he wants the residents of South Norfolk to get the best projects, and they can possibly have. There are more urgent needs in South Norfolk that condos, oops I forgot, 500 sq ft apartments. This project is being pushed by others who are in debt to the developers. If you do not believe me, go to the Voter Registration office and request a contribution sheet for all candidates. Look at where all the high dollar contributions from developers, builders and construction companies are going, then and only then you will have the truth and the reasoning behind certain project approvals. We need city council people who are not influenced by their money, who only want to represent the people. I know the residents of South Norfolk are anxious for revitalization, but you don't have to settle for development on contaminated industrial land. Please investigate the bill of goods you are being sold. You deserve better. Alan will deliver for you.
Krasnoff is fiscally responsible!
The project will bust just like Waterside and Portside. Who is going to pay for an expensive condo near an industrial area where noise and the smell of chemical pollutants fill the air? Who is going to want a cozy view of barges and tugs moving goods along the river? Which high-end retailers will invest in business next to an industrial area on one side and a high-crime, run down residential area on the other? NOBODY! The money should be used to give a face lift to existing structures, provide street lights in high crime areas, and for public safety improvements. This project will be an economic disaster. Do we want to have to pay $350,000 to bail out Belharbour/SONO like the Norfolk taxpayers for Waterside? It takes more guts to vote no than to vote yes on these pet projects. Krasnoff voted no! If you want lower taxes and a fiscally responsible mayor, vote for Krasnoff on May 6.
Mayoral Candidate
I would like to respond to the full page ad that was in the April 25, 2008 Clipper. This article was placed by one of our mayoral candidates, Alan Krasnoff.
I have known Rebecca Adams for 25 + years and know her to be one the finest and most compassionate people that I have ever known. She is a woman of many strengths-Integrity, High Moral Standards, Kindness and consideration for others. She is our best choice for Mayor of our great city. In fact the best choice that we have had for many years. Mrs. Adams would never stoop to the level that Mr. Krasnoff has lowered himself to in order to win this race. Her reputation as a Chesapeake citizen is more important to her than winning the race by such tactics. Rebecca Adams cares about the citizens of Chesapeake and our city as a whole. To me, the vote for Mayor of Chesapeake is a "No-Brainer"-it's Rebecca Adams. She will represent Chesapeake with strong leadership and high standards that we need to be the best that we can be. SHAME ON YOU, MR. KRASNOFF.
Dean Rogers
Chesapeake Voter and Supporter of Rebecca Adams
South Norfolk
Will spending $40 Million on new buildings in SN get rid of the drug and other crime elements there?
South Norfolk Restoration
Krasnoff take off the horse blinders and realize that if we spend all of South Norfolk's tax money to "light up the whole area" all we will see is the blight of years of neglect by the City of Chesapeake. It has been neglected long enough by the city. Help the homeowners that are restoring these beautiful old homes by using our tax dollars in our neighborhood for improvement.
krasnoff/ritter hypocrisy
when will someone realize that both krasnoff and ritter voted to approve the south norfolk redevelopment plan, which included the waterfront initiative that has become belharbour station? they both also voted to approve the creation of the south norfolk TIF district, which included all of the public projects now being implemented in conjunction with the belharbour project! time to call them on their political hypocrisy!
Wasted tax $$$$$
New home sales at 19 year low and yet stupidity seems to think wasting tax payers money on this project is the right move!
Who wants to spend hundreds of thousands on a home that looks at, listens and smells shipyards all day?
How about spending the tax money on things that help those who paid it!
A new bridge and road to help the congestion in Deep creek perhaps.
Is it any wonder?
Could it be the incumbents are so supportive of the Belharbour Station project and defending their council votes on other controversial projects......maybe there is something in it for them....i.e. endorsements or more commonly know as campaign contributions. What happened to accountability to the citizens of Chesapeake. It’s no wonder the incumbents have to spend half of their time at the forums explaining, they are more concerned about campaign revenues from these special interest groups than being responsive to the citizens.Good job Alan Krasnof for listening to what the people of South Norfolk want and not what the developers want.
Krasnoff's bad for Chesapeake
Krasnoff has tunnel vision for a the entire city once again. Krasnoff, take those bifolds off so you can see the whole picture. It amazes me how Krasnoff thinks that he would be the best candidate for Mayor when he's far from it. He can't even get the other city council members to support his motions and alot of people from his party aren't helping his campaign. Why? He doesn't have the ability to bring everyone together to solve issues. If he can't do it as a City Council member, how is he going to do it as a Mayor?
South Norfolk's revitalization is a vital part of stimulating economic growth not only for the residents in South Norfolk but for the city as a whole. The Belharbour Station is only a small piece of the puzzel to stimulate economic growth and other great things will follow. The taxes collected will enrich the community with critical projects. Krasnoff is not a good candidate for Mayor or City Council, period, end of story.