CHESAPEAKE
At 353 square miles, Chesapeake is one of the biggest cities in Virginia.
So, of all the strip malls in the city, how did the Democrats' and Republicans' city campaign hubs end up next door to one another in Great Bridge?
Some City Council candidates chuckle about it. Others don't like it. Both parties admit that some campaign volunteers have gotten confused. And drivers going south on Battlefield Boulevard over the Great Bridge Bridge are greeted with a mass of political signs from both parties.
"Everybody's been peacefully co-existing so far," said Angie Swygert, who is running the Republican Party's campaign headquarters. "Everybody's kind of stayed on their own side of the fence."
Councilman C.E. "Cliff" Hayes Jr., a Democrat running for re-election, said he was the first to set up shop in the strip mall. He has been using the building to promote the other Democrat-endorsed council candidates in the May 6 election: Vice Mayor Dwight Parker, Rodney Foster, and Mick Meyer.
Hayes, who is running with those candidates as the Chesapeake Leadership Team, also has put up a big sign promoting Councilwoman Rebecca Adams for mayor.
Soon after, the Republican headquarters opened up. And it has been a central stop for supporters of the Republican-endorsed candidates, including Councilwoman Patricia Willis, former Councilwoman Debbie Ritter, business owner Suzy Kelly and retired middle school Principal Rick West. The back window of a car parked outside has a message supporting the mayoral candidacy of Councilman Alan Krasnoff.
"Out of Chesapeake's 353 square miles, certainly it would be less confusing if they had chosen an office other than next door," Hayes said. It turns out that both Hayes and the Republicans were donated space in the shopping center that used to house the Great Bridge Pharmacy. The owner, Marie Old, is "not a party person" and actually blames a city of Chesapeake construction project for clearing out many of her renters, said real estate agent Stanley Hicks of William E. Wood and Associates.
"'Give 'em both a chance, and may the best man win,' is her attitude," Hicks said.
Aside from a little sign-jockeying and baffled volunteers winding up at the wrong party offices, officials on both sides say, no major incidents have erupted.
"It is wonderful to see the two-party process in action," said Pete Burkhimer of the Chesapeake Republican Party.
Mike Saewitz, (757) 222-5207, mike.saewitz@pilotonline.com
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Offices side by side....Conflict of Interest?
Ask both offices why it would be a conflict of interest for a school principal (Adams) to be mayor and vote on the budget in which over half of the revenue goes to schools (Adams) and which candidate can vote on the budget that is not a school employee (Krasnoff)with a clear conscience WITHOUT a conflict of interest. Look at the voting record over the last four years and see which side was most fiscally responsible (Republicans, Krasnoff!). Having the offices side by side is great!It makes researching the voting records easier. It is your decision....vote on May 6th and send the message to the new mayor and council that you want your money in your pocket!
Go into each office and ask to see the voting records!
Since both offices are side by side, take advantage of the opportunity to see which side has fought to lower taxes (Republicans, and Krasnoff!) and which side votes to INCREASE taxes (most Democrats, and Adams?). See which side OPPOSED spending millions on Bell Harbour and the proposed biodiesel plant(Republicans, and Krasnoff!) and who voted for spending millions on these pet projects (most Democrats, and Adams?). See which side voted for rezoning several areas to add MORE residential neighborhoods that over burden our public safety first responders, schools, and infrastructure (most Democrats, and Adams?)and which side opposed most cumbersome rezoning (Republicans, and Krasnoff!).
Can you imagine...
...the wacky antics these two parties can now play on each other. Vaseline on the earpiece of the phone, super gluing coffee mugs to the desk and the ever standard flaming bag of poo!
Someone needs to set up a video surveillance system to catch the hilarity. This is about the only positive thing we'll get from either side I'm afraid...
Convenience
Well could be convenient. Just run back and forth between offices..Probably benefit a few voters around here who may be not satisfied with the candidate they will be stuck with, after all is said & done.....As for some of them being baffled, by being in the wrong office, if a Democrat walks into the GOP office, might just be the right move to stay put..Wonder if they would let Cowboy wave his flag there. I'd like a pic of it then..lol
Who cares
Hayes can`t make up his mind which party he wants to run on. I guess which ever one will fatten his pocket? Those office buildings just happen to still be standing, due to the fact that the citizens of the surrounding neighborhood fought to keep Skippers Watch out. Which was 4 story condos that would cater to the rich and famous!
Vote for a change in May!
It would appear that the
It would appear that the strip mall’s owner is making a public statement. Seems she blames the City Council, or City Leadership, for driving her clients away due to construction in the area.
So what better way to make a point than to cause the leadership of the two major parties to have to fight the same headaches getting to and from their headquarters?
Sounds kinda shrewd to me. Make a statement and never open your mouth. Outstanding!!!
Political Office Space
I find it incredible that the politicians can move into a two-bit office and think they can convince people to vote for them. This should show the voters how much thought goes into the election process from them. VOTE THE BUMS OUT!