CHESAPEAKE
When the city's mayor was white, the vice mayor was almost always black. And when Chesapeake's first black mayor took office in 1990, his vice mayor was always white.
That's how it's happened for more than 35 years. And that's how several City Council members want to see it happen on Tuesday, when the council selects a vice mayor.
Mayor-Elect Alan Krasnoff is white, and Councilwoman Ella Ward, who is black, is leading the charge to pick one of four African Americans on the council to be his vice mayor. Ward and others say it's about reflecting the diversity of the community.
However, Krasnoff asked Councilman John de Triquet to consider putting his name in, and at least one councilwoman said she will support de Triquet, who is white. Some council members say that race shouldn't be a determining factor and that the position should go to the best person for the largely ceremonial job.
Deciding who will be the vice mayor, a position that has no greater voting weight than the other eight council seats, is likely to be the first task for the new City Council, which meets for the first time next week.
Krasnoff said he understands the importance of diversity but believes politics is fueling the drive to select a black vice mayor.
Ward is also the chair of the Chesapeake Democratic Committee, and sent an e-mail about the importance of the vice mayor selection to other Democrats. The five white council members, including Krasnoff, are Republicans, and the four black council members are Democrats.
"It's about politics," Krasnoff said. "This message came from Ella Ward, Chesapeake Democratic Committee chair."
In the 2006 vice mayor selection, Krasnoff supported Councilman Dwight Parker, who is black. This year, Krasnoff said, seniority is a big factor. And the longest-serving councilman is de Triquet.
The winner will need five of nine council votes.
"I am prepared to support the seniority person, and that's what I'm going to do," Krasnoff said.
Ward said it would "send a very, very negative message to the community if we do not put an African American in that spot."
In her e-mail to Chesapeake Democrats, Ward wrote that the council should rename Parker to the vice mayor spot or vote for Councilman C.E. "Cliff" Hayes Jr., this year's leading vote-getter in the 15-candidate race for five council seats.
Hayes said he has approached Krasnoff about his interest in the vice mayor position.
Hayes, who switched parties last year from Republican to Democrat, said Krasnoff told him "that the election was partisan, and that he owes this appointment to his party."
Krasnoff said he only told Hayes that the vice mayor should be "supported on seniority."
Debbie Ritter, a Republican who will start her term next week, said she will support de Triquet.
"The most important thing is to have someone who can fulfill the job, and someone who has the confidence of the people, and the confidence of the council," she said. "I don't think race should be a factor any more than being a woman should be a factor."
In its 45-year history, Chesapeake has had one female mayor, Marian P. Whitehurst. The city hasn't had a female vice mayor since 1988.
Mike Saewitz, (757) 222-5207, mike.saewitz@pilotonline.com
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No Big Deal Or Power
I don't know why everyone is in an uproar. The Mayor and Vice Mayor has no power in making decisions like Mayors in big cities like Chicago, New York, or San Francisco. They are just ceremonial positions and tie breakers for a vote. Mrs. Ward stop making a problem when there is not one and Krasnoff get off your soap box and let the other members vote their own mind. All of you are acting like little kids.
Hearsay
Saewitz said that Hayes said that Krasnoff said that "he owes it to his party." Hearsay! This is typical Saewitz reporting. Saewitz has stirred up controversy since the campaigning began. Saewitz has always tried to smear Krasnoff's good name. Bottom line, Krasnoff should nominate the person he feels most comfortable with regardless of how others perceive his motivation. Council will vote. Ella, we know and respect each other, but you need to back off since you know that you do not have the support needed to make your suggestion come to fruition. You, like Saewitz, are intentionally stirring up controversy. Even Edge closed Tuesday's meeting stating that there has not been racial divide on council. Why now? I intended to call you today, Ella, to discuss an unrelated issue even before seeing this article. I will certainly call you soon. If you want a black rep in power, why didn't you support Parker for mayor instead of Adams? Bulldog757.
Partisan politics or racism, What's the difference?
Krasonoff wants to pass this decision off as "seniority" when it is clear the motivation behind it is as he stated to Hayes. He "owes the appointment to his party."
I ask you what is the difference between a selection based on partisan politics and a selection based on race. There is none.
Racism
I thought we were supposed to be a color-blind society. Ella Ward's position is the height of racism.
I thought politics was supposed to be color-blind
I guess not - this reminds me of high school - you have a white class president so everyone else had to be black - that's garbage. Seniority and experience should be the criteria. This person steps in when the Mayor isn't available. So Ms. Ward wants to have the position - why- because she's black? Because she is a newbie to council. Give me a break - I'm so sick of this politically correct mess.
Krasnoff didnt create this issue
Ella Ward did. If the roles were reversed there would be nationwide outrage. I can see it now..... the "Chesa 6". The fact is the vice mayor is chosen by a majority of the city council. To justify that a person should or should not be elected to that post based on skin color is pure racism. Perhaps Miz Ward should read up on Martin Luther King especailly the part about content of charcter and the color of skin.
and, so it begins
Smooth move by Chesapeake's new mayor, creating a racial issue where it was not needed. And, in the process, he's setting up Chesapeake Council's newest version of "the Frick & Frack Show", starring himself and Dr DiTriquet. How in the world can the City's mayor maintain any semblence of credibility by pushing for vice mayor a council member who is absent and unreachable the majority of the time? Young Mr Saewitz, how about an article on the attendance records of Chesapeake's council members? And, while you're at it, do some investigating into the longterm relationship between Mr's Frick & Frack. It's often hard to tell which one is doing the talking when the other's lips are moving! Chesapeake residents & businesses are in for a long and embarassing 4 years with this "dynamic duo" in charge - sad, sad, sad. How difficult is it to select a vice mayor based on talent & ability, not political affiliation or friendship?
Stop the nonsense
Ella Ward & Cliff Hayes need to stop dividing the city on race. It's a sad day when political loudmouths want to recoup some of their political power after a defeat in the election. African Americans will be treated no different if we have Krasnoff & DeTriquet, just as White Americans would not be treated if the mayor and vice mayor were black. Ella Wards & Cliff Hayes let's grab a power position and get what we can get is a poor attitude for any political person to have. A persons true chracter really come to light in the shadow of defeat. To think these are the type of council representatives that the African American community votes for, is a disgrace. If anything remember this article when voting in the next election. These words from them are nothing but playing the race card, how will we ever get our city on a positive race relations with rhetoric like this. These two should never have been on council in the first place.
Ms. Ward's comments...
smacks of pure racism....to appoint someone to the seat of Vice-Mayor based solely on the color of their skin and not qualifications....is racism....the new council has not even been seated and the controversy has begun....sad!
My opinion...
Since the Vice Mayor position is largely ceremonial and selecting a democrat for the position may ease partisan tension later, seems like that would be the smart thing to do. Ward is wrong about race though, it should have no bearing on the selection. I am surprised at her comments as I believe she is one of the most intelligent, open minded persons on our council, just as she was on the school board. I have supported her by voting for her in the past for these reasons. I will have to rethink my vote if she continues to base selections on race alone in the future. For the record, I generally vote republican and Mrs. Ward is one of few who have convinced me to vote democrat. So Ella, if you are reading this, please reconsider your position and base your position recommendations on ability, not race or gender. Thanks,