By Greg Gaudio
VIRGINIA BEACH
Colleagues recognized Meyera Oberndorf’s 20th anniversary as mayor with a surprise luncheon Tuesday at the Westin Virginia Beach Town Center.
“I really am wordless,” she told city officials who attended. “I had no idea anyone would remember, or even care.”
Oberndorf was sworn in as mayor July 1, 1988. She is the only directly elected mayor of Virginia Beach, as well as the city’s only female mayor. Oberndorf is running for a sixth term in the Nov. 4 election.
“My passion, in addition to my family, is this city,” she said. “I want to thank all of you for making up a municipal family for this only child.”
The luncheon was not a campaign event. It was paid for by the members of City Council, as individuals, said City Clerk Ruth Hodges Fraser.
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Coincidence?
I moved out of Virginia Beach in '88.
This Luncheon
I was expecting an invitation, but never received it.
Congrats Meyera well deserved
Thank you for your service! You have helped shape this wonderful city. That being said Twenty years, thats a long time. IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE! VOTE SESSOMS 2008 God Bless Virginia Beach!
Congratulations, Mayor!
Thank you for your years of service. It's takes a lot of chutzpah to stand up to your opponents and fight for what you believe in. You might be shorter in stature than some of your cohorts but it obviously has never stopped you from achieving your goals, or at least fighting for them. To those offering negative comments on your anniversary, I say fight on in the coming election.
Meyera Luncheon
Typical Virginia Beach "small town politics" at its best. We definitely need a change to vision-based leadership.
Mrs. Oberndorf!
Congratulations, fearless leader!
I first met you at National Night Out in Wesleyan Pines in the '90's when my son was a baby. We then ran into each other a few times over the next few years at Uncle Harry's Cones and Cream. You cut the ribbon on the new building for Issues and Answers when I worked there. You came and celebrated a milestone with Tabernacle Baptist Church, our congregation.
I have never met a more dedicated public servant nor one as quick to sit down and eat an ice cream cone with a constituent who just wants to chat.
Now, as I face breast cancer, I recall most of all your courageous battle on that front. You are my hero, lady! Cheers, Mary G. Martin
Congrats for 20 years of public service!
My how time flies by! Congratulations on 20 long years of public service. While I may not always agree with many of Mayor Oberndorf's decisions, or with her dogged commitment for promoting "regionalism", I can honestly say that Meyera is an excellent representative and spokesperson for our city. I believe she truly cares about what her constituents ask her to do for them. I can also state with some certainty that Meyera works very hard to serve our city and that her decisions are far more motivated by her love for our city and its citizens then any desire to benefit her own interests or advance some nefarious agenda endorsed by her political backers. It is too bad I can’t honestly say the same for many of the others that sit on our City Council. Our city has been well served by Mayor Oberndorf and today is a day to thank her, not attack her. With an election coming shortly, I guess there will be plenty
Congrats and now it's time to move on......
Congratulations to the Mayor and a sincere THANK YOU for your years of tireless service to the community.
Having said that, the time has come for a new face in the Mayor's chair......
It is time for someone else to take the reins of this great City and lead it into the future.
I would also like to see the issue of term limits for Council members brought forward in the near future.
A City that grows and changes as much as Virginia Beach needs Council members who are in touch with that growth and not mired in traditions which no longer are feasible in today's day and time.
Times change and as such the Council should be able to change with them.
Congratulations
It is great to see the other city council members pulling together and funding this get together to support Mayor Oberndorf's twenty year mark. Well done to all of them and congratulations to the Mayor on her historic day.
Oh My God!
Are we really celebrating 20 years? Why aren't we mourning the 20 years? SOMEBODY, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE either get her out this year OR let's pass something on term limits so that her oust might take place at least in the somewhat near future. The citizens of the city of Virginia Beach are sick of looking at you and being forced to PAY for your ridiculous ideas and mishandling of finances. Please.... if we can't get you out will you at least consider retirement oh dear mayor? I have to go throw up now!