Candidate Q&A: Michael Murphy

What makes you the best candidate for City Council?

For years, I have been serving my community and my city by coaching youth sports, serving on commissions, being active in politics, investing in real estate and investing my children’s education in our public school system. All this coupled with my high integrity and good character has prepared me for the next level in serving you, the citizens of Chesapeake.

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

Aligning the budget to what government is intended for: public safety, education (by our state constitution), infrastructure, and allowing business to flourish by staying out of the way. This can only be achieved by electing those persons who understand the real functions of government and not the self-serving kind.

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

As of today, it would have to be roads since there is no solution in sight. I feel the budget needs to be thoroughly combed through and money pulled from pork projects. Chesapeake pulls in enough revenue now that there shouldn’t be issues of budget shortfalls. High taxes and fees are already levied against us. We have paid enough in to see a better return on our investment.

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

A city’s financial well-being is measured by its economic progress. Chesapeake needs to move forward but be mindful of those who live in our quieter, less developed areas. Not everyone wants to live in the “city.” There is a balance needed to maintain and preserve the quality of life for all of our residents .

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

Voting for a $16 million bike path along the Steel Bridge. Maybe there was misunderstanding on the part of Council members or maybe they just reversed course after getting called out. This is a classic example of voting done without any research going into it.

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

Chesapeake shouldn’t have to. With all of the increased revenue Chesapeake has brought in over the past few years (most notably property taxes), we should have enough to have started improving our roadways but little is seen to show for it overall. It appears too many pet projects have instead been funded and we need more council members to make our government function the way it should.