Candidate Q&A: Barclay C. Winn

What makes you the best candidate for City Council?

Over 37 years in business in Norfolk, many years of civic and charitable involvement, and eight years of service on Norfolk City Council.

What should be the city’s top priority now, and how can it be achieved?

Continued emphasis on neighborhood improvement, public safety, and education - achieved through adequate funding made available by responsible management.

What do you think will be the city’s most pressing issue in 10 years, and how can the city prepare for it?

Transportation! We can prepare by continuing to insist that the state upgrade our highway system to insure better access to our city as we work to expand the light rail system throughout the city (including the Naval base) and the entire region. Light rail access should be closely coordinated with bus service to make mass transit safe, convenient, and efficient, thus making it the transportation method of choice by our citizens.

What is the most pressing issue in the school division and how should the city solve it?

Recruiting and retaining qualified teachers as well as updating aging facilities. The system needs to consolidate facilities and dispose of surplus properties, using these savings in conjunction with city funding to achieve these goals.

Should the city and state raise more money to pay for transportation projects? If yes, how?

I believe the source of funds should be user fees (gas tax and tolls). I am disappointed that the state has not been more proactive in solving these transportation problems.

Do you believe the city should continue to subsidize large downtown projects?

Norfolk should continue to consider offering economic incentives downtown and throughout the city as long as the returns to the city make good financial sense. These incentives should be available only when projects are critical to an area and when they could not be achieved without some type of incentive.