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VIRGINIA BEACH
The field of candidates in the Virginia Beach mayoral race has thinned, while two more contenders have filed for the at-large seat.
Candidates have until 7 p.m. today to present petitions and file to be on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Don Weeks, who launched his bid for mayor in 2006, announced Monday that he has dropped out of the election.
Weeks' mayoral campaign had struggled in recent months. His campaign manager quit in January, and by the end of May, Weeks' campaign was in debt for $143, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
Weeks said he wants to focus more time on his home-building business but hasn't ruled out running for office in the future.
"I'm not going anywhere," said Weeks, who was on the council from 1998 to 2000. "I still love the city."
That leaves Mayor Meyera Oberndorf, former Vice Mayor Will Sessoms, developer and former Navy SEAL Scott Taylor and former Councilman John Moss in the race.
In other developments, Georgia Allen and Keith Strausbaugh have filed to run for the at-large seat, according to officials at the voter registrar's office.
Allen is the branch president of the NAACP. Strausbaugh is a graduate student at Old Dominion University.
Allen and Strausbaugh will face incumbent Rosemary Wilson and newcomer Lawrence Teator.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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Well once again Mike, you
Well once again Mike, you miss the point of my previous posts. I linked what I saw as a waste of money on adding 1/2" to a swimming pool at the recreation center that was supposed to be a 1/2" longer in the first place. I felt that the city should have gone back to the contractor and make him fix it. As for art centers, I think we have two here in Virginia Beach so I don't see the necessity to build any more. Geez Mike. I like low tax rates too, but I also believe that most members of city council have selective hearing as well as that there is nothing that one could say to sway a council member one way or the other in a public hearing. I think the deals are set before they walk into the chamber. A public hearing is nothing more that a way to humor the voters. They will take time and listen to you as you seem to be well connected in government circles, where as they could care less about what I think. I quit writing my councilman Jim Wood because he would never respond. Madame Meyera would and I will give her that.
Well Keith, I guess my
Well Keith, I guess my definition of fiscal responsibility is just different from yours. You have to admit that the preponderance of posters on this and other Pilot blogs come from the anti tax point of view. You linked recreation centers, museums, and art centers with unnecessary spending, and like most anti tax zealots, you get angry when I point out that some very responsible citizens happen to support these activities. I do agree that many citizens are fed up with some government programs (count me as one), but I happen to believe that local government in general does not fall into that category. For one, the constitution requires a balanced budget, and second, citizens actually participate directly in the budget process through workshops, public hearings, and personal contacts with elected members of council. I also support certain entreprenurial activity by government because frankly, it reduces the taxes I have to pay. I like low tax rates too.
I am not running for office
I am not running for office Mr. Barrett. I am also not defending John Moss. I don't know the guy. However, you criticize everyone who wants government to be fiscally responsible. I didn't criticize the recreation centers themselves, but what I felt was unnecessary spending. We also have enough Art Centers. You also must acknowledge that there are also a large number of citizens that are fed up with government living outside of it's means and going into debt for things that private industry should be doing. The fact is Mike that you can't deny anything I have said. You just continue to defend whatever your precious local government whims happen to be no matter what hardships will be incurred by the citizens. As for budget cuts, I have already recommended two items.
Fair enough. I do criticize
Fair enough. I do criticize those who recommend that Council cut $50,000,000 without having the political courage to actually offer an offset. For while you criticize recreation centers and cultural events, you must acknowledge that large groups of citizens want these amenities in their community. The Virginia Aquarium, the Sandler Center, the Virginia Contemporary Center for the Arts, and other smaller venues, have a loyal and dedicated following, and the funding for the recreation centers had such a large following when they were conceived that the bonds for construction were approved at referendum. So if you want to guarantee a thousand people to show up for the next budget hearing, then specify the cuts you will make. Moss knows that, so he lets others (Greenmun, et al) make those recommendations while he remains "pure" by just recommending that Council cut the fat. There is no line item in the budget labelled fat, and if you know where the fat is, say so, but be prepared to defend your comment.
Anti-tax zealot
Well, Mr. Barrett, you like to use the subject line loosely if you disagree about how funds are collected and spent. I see nothing wrong with having government do without when the times are tough. We in the general public certainly do. We certainly have enough venues and culture in this area. We have art centers coming out of our behinds here. I don't think we need anymore do we? Why does the city have to spend 28K for a swimming pool that is 1/2 " short? Why couldn't the city stick the contractor with that bill if that was the specs the city paid for and he didn't fulfill his contract. Why does the city spend an obscene amount of money to run full color ads in the newspaper when smaller black and white ones would suffice? Also the publications for the recreation centers that are sent. Is it unreasonable to ask city government to show some fiscal restraint without being referred to as an anti-tax zealot? You might be made of money Mr. Barrett, but we sure aren't. Tax increases will not effect your standard of living much at all, whereas it's a different story for some of us.
Keith, I am not sure what
Keith, I am not sure what you mean by name calling; Moss's penchant for calling for tax cuts is legendary, and he would certainly not object to the label of being anti tax. Of course, he very carefully avoids spelling out specific cuts, leaving that to his minions. For example, one of his strategists recently called for replacing all city blue collar workers with contract personnel, presumably so they could pay them much less if they contracted for all these workers, and perhaps they would not have to provide benefits. He has also suggested gutting city programs and services, even though our citizens want libraries, recreation centers, performing art centers, and museums, just to name a few. Moss has served on council, and has a public record, so I do not think my characterization of his service has been inaccurate or unfair.
So... why don't you run for
So... why don't you run for Mayor Mr. Barrett? I still wonder why you can't shake the name calling sir.
It is ironic that John Moss
It is ironic that John Moss is repaying Meyera Oberndorf, his patron who introduced him to the political community and who supported him early and often, by now running against her. I guess that is what friends are for. Fact is, Moss is totally unqualified, especially given his penchant for being penny wise and pound foolish. Who can forget his disastrous intervention to oppose a project in his own Kempsville district, that is, the improvements to the then worst intersection in the city, Kempsville/Princess Anne/Witchduck by saying that over time the situation would improve. Well, the $7 M that would have solved the problem then has now ballooned to $25 M. Of course, John always knows best, and this situation is an example of his arrogance and his denial of real needs at the holy grail of reduced spending. He will get the votes of known anti tax zealots for whom the closure of many city programs, services, facilities, and the replacement of city employees by contractors is the the real aim.
Mayor Oberdorf deserves thanks, not insults
While I will be supporting John Moss for Mayor, I do so because I know that John is better qualified to serve our city and it's residents at this time in our city's history. However, having witnessed Mayor Oberndorf's skill in representing our city I feel that we should all thank her for the many years she has devoted to helping portray our city in the best light possible, for dealing with all manner of personal attacks (who can forget Bill O'Rielly's misguided assault?), and for the graciousness she has shown to so many that have sought her help. I may not always agree with how she casts her votes, but I certainly appreciate how much of her life she has invested into doing what she honestly feels will improve our community.
think for a minute
Okay, I have to believe that the men running against Oberendorf are smart? So they have to know they need to have ONLY ONE person run against the troll. If anyone wants to do whats best for Virginia Beach, they need to pick ONE to run for Mayor!She will never leave, and we will be stuck with her!!! Get it together people, figure out who should run and we can win against the evil known as Obernedorf!