Candidate Q&A: Dwight Parker

What makes you the best candidate for City Council?

I am the best candidate for City Council because I am truly committed to the citizens of Chesapeake and their well being. Chesapeake is a progressive, inclusive and forward thinking city. I believe that I can help Chesapeake on this track.

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

The City’s top priority should be to remain fiscally sound. This can be achieved by continuing to budget conservatively and look for savings throughout the organization.

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

I believe the City’s most pressing issue in 10 years will be having enough revenue to meet the needs of a growing population. Chesapeake is projected to increase in size equal to Norfolk and Virginia Beach. We can look to bring in businesses that are compatible with Chesapeake. Thus relieving the burden on the tax payers. Also having the infrastructure in place.

How do you respond to complaints that city leaders put developers’ interests ahead of residents’ needs?

City leaders are elected by the citizens at-large and must be responsible to their concerns. If we stopped all development then the tax burden would fall completely to the citizens. As we all know property tax is the life blood of local governments. Without development citizens would shoulder the whole tax burden. I don’t think this would be acceptable to the general public.

Cite one vote by a majority of City Council that you disagreed with in the past year and why.

I can’t think of a single vote by the majority of council that I disagreed with. Council is a part-time position under our form of government. The Manager and his staff are responsible for making recommendations to the council and based on their recommendation cast their vote.

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

I think the state should step up to the plate and do its job. They cannot continue to pass the buck. I think the funding source should be left up to the state. This would free up money at the local level for other needs such as public safety, education and recreation.