PORTSMOUTH
The City Council released a joint statement Friday denouncing comments Mayor James W. Holley made earlier this week that caused some residents to say they wanted to seek his recall.
"As community leaders, we are truly proud of the distance Portsmouth has come in bringing unity, dignity, and equality to our citizens," the statement says. "Sadly, these recent events serve to remind us of the work that remains before us."
Holley's remarks have generated hundreds of e-mails and phone calls to council members, Vice Mayor Bill Moody Jr. said Friday.
The statement was released to assure the community that "the business of the city continues" and Holley's comments are not appropriate for an elected official, Councilwoman Elizabeth Psimas said.
The statement was authorized by all seven council members, including Holley. Psimas said the council had hoped the mayor would make his own statement.
As a matter of protocol, council members informed Holley that they intended to remark on his comments and asked whether he wanted to join, Psimas said. Holley said yes, she said.
"He knew it was coming, with or without him," Psimas said.
During a discussion on whether to allow state Sen. Louise Lucas to use up to $50 million in federal enterprise zone bonds for a proposed hotel and conference center, Holley described the Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel and Waterfront Conference Center as a white hotel. He said he thought it was "time to have a black one."
Council members narrowly voted against giving Lucas the authority to use the bonds, which would have been backed by a bank and not the city and would have allowed her to receive lower-cost financing for the $65 million project.
Some council members said they could not support Lucas' use of the bonds because they had not been assured that
the project would not require city money.
Without naming Holley or outlining his remarks, the statement says that "at a recent City Council meeting remarks were made that were not consistent with our view on race relations and do not reflect the thoughts of our body."
It also said that "Further, while we encourage the ownership and management of business operations by members of all races or classes of people, we do not subscribe to any notion that business within the city limits shall be specified or classified as black or white."
"The Renaissance hotel caters to all citizens and is an asset to the city of Portsmouth and Hampton Roads," it says.
Holley, who has a ballroom named after him inside the city-subsidized Renaissance and a picture in the lobby, could not be reached at his office Friday and did not return a message left at his home.
Since his statements, some residents have said they wish they could remove him from office, while others have said the mayor was only trying to lend his support to the idea of a black-owned business.
Under Portsmouth's city code, Holley could not be recalled until he served at least a year of his current term, which started July 1.
However, he has faced a recall before. In 1987, he became the first Virginia politician to be removed from office in a recall after he was linked to an anonymous hate mail campaign to black leaders who opposed the closing of I. C. Norcom High School. Holley was re-elected mayor in 1996.
"People want us to do something, and there's little we can do," Councilman Charles B. Whitehurst Sr. said. "He's the mayor, and he was elected by the people."
"We're trying to let the public know that it's not something we all subscribe to," he said.
Council members Marlene Randall and Steve Heretick said they hoped the statement would help the city get past the incident.
"Let's let the city come back together," Randall said. "I've lived long enough to see what happens with divisiveness."
Jen McCaffery, (757) 446-2627, jen.mccaffery@pilotonline.com
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Arrogance in Office
Holley has misinterpreted his re-election. Those who voted, and there were a precious few, did not vote for him to spew his bigoted arrogance in an official forum.
He needs to apologize in the same breath as he gives his resignation.
I don't want him as my Mayor. I can give no credence to anything else he says again. He has made a mockery of this city and its citzenry who trusted him.
Twomiler....
Two wrongs don't make a right, no matter how you try and wrap it up. In this day and age, racism and/or bigotry, especially from a public official of any kind, is entirely unacceptable.
Mayor Holley should resign.
holly
This man should be removed. I will sign the petition thats going around. Contact Ted Lamb to sign. tedlamb@hotmail.com
laaaaaa deeeeee dah
laaaa deeeee dah
50's & 60's
Bigoted comments can't take us back to the 50's & 60's. Laws were such in those decades that racism by Whites was legally enforced. The man made a bigoted statement; that in no way equals the racism people of color dealt with throughout too much of this country's history. Often, I hear many of my White friends & associates, stating we people of color, should just get over 400 years of institutional racism. Racism, was protected by law, until the middle & late 60's. Bigotry is wrong & not protected by law. Comparing bigoted statements by an elderly, small city mayor, ( a ceremonial position ), with legal, institutional racism, makes no sense. It,'s not legitimate as an argument in discourse & debate.
"But people are blowing the whole thing out of proportion."
No, they are not. If the Mayor or the Council shares your opinion, and I fear they do based on the totally inadequate statement they issued, they are sadly mistaken.
Mayor Holley owes an apology to every single citizen of Portsmouth.
No statue for Holley
I wonder if this will derail the move to put a statue of Holley in the center of the roundabout?
Mr Holley, you forgot to
Mr Holley, you forgot to apologize.
Mayor Holley
It's unfortunate that there is a double standard when it comes to comments made by the public's elected officials, not only in Portsmouth, but state wide. But it seems painfully obvious that black members are not at all concerned with remarks that are made in reference to color. I'm not racist and I'm not trying to start a war, but it's only fair for us to demand that all members of politics be responsible for their actions. As an elected official he should not be able to sit behind his door and not respond when "the people" are asking questions. But what I see as a 41 year old is that the same applies to City, State and National politics. "We the people" are supposed to have a say....Ha! I stayed at the Renaissance and all I saw in the halls were pictures of blacks, not to mention the note Mayor Holley signed off on in the State Hog Rally handout...he mentioned the word "renaissance" twice. Bet that wasn
He has done it before
This is not the first time Holley has made remarks of this nature, remarks of this type should be expected from him. I am sure this will not be the last time something like this happens, it certainly isn't the first time. As for this comment..... "at a recent City Council meeting remarks were made that were not consistent with our view on race relations and do not reflect the thoughts of our body.".... The remark may not have reflected the toughts of the entire body, but as we all know it did and does reflect the thoughts of Holley. My question is why do the people of Portsmouth continue to elect this man into office?
Racist
Hiz Honor, the racist. Enough said!!!!!!!
P Town
Another wonderful event for p-town. Why the citizens re-elected Holley again is beyond me. His remarks really makes our city look redicoulos.
I can't wait to see the next episode of the Tuesday Night Tapings of Our City Council Meetings.
That show is more entertaining than any other show on TV. Holley's behavior reminds me of another show I grew up watching and was banned from TV because it was degrading to Black People.
How long before the city council meetings become banned because of the same situation.
You go Kingfish!
People Who Are Not From Portsmouth Do Not Need To Comment
I have been a resident of Portsmouth all my life. That's why I can comment. I remember when Holley was recalled. I remember when Webb was mayor. I remember when he won the election again in 1996. Both Mayor Holley and Mayor Webb were not friendly to people during city council meetings. We know Holley was wrong for making a racist comment during a city council meeting. But people are blowing the whole thing out of proportion. Try to talk to Mayor Holley about your feelings personally instead of making general statements like "Mayor Holley needs to resign!" or "Portsmouth citizens voted for Holley! You got what you deserved! Deal with it!"
To cboath
You People Are Funny
Submitted by cboath on Sat, 07/26/2008 at 8:54 pm.
If you don't live in Portsmouth it really doesn't matter how you feel about Mr. Holley, you can't do anything about him. Now let's look at Portsmouth. 16% live below the poverty line and the nightly cost to stay in the MARRIOT Renaisance Hotel is $199 a night. So it's pretty safe to say that at least 16% of the actual citizens of Portsmouth don't feel that Renaisance Hotel is for them. So let's see if you can convince those folks to recall Holley.
-----------------------------
That is just stupid. What does the affordability of the Renaissance to the Portsmouth poverty-stricken have to do with anything? The purpose of the Renaissance is not to be "for them" or for anyone who cannot pay the price. It brings in tax dollars to the city to help it provide services..... like low income housing. If those in poverty really need a loca
You People Are Funny
If you don't live in Portsmouth it really doesn't matter how you feel about Mr. Holley, you can't do anything about him. Now let's look at Portsmouth. 16% live below the poverty line and the nightly cost to stay in the MARRIOT Renaisance Hotel is $199 a night. So it's pretty safe to say that at least 16% of the actual citizens of Portsmouth don't feel that Renaisance Hotel is for them. So let's see if you can convince those folks to recall Holley.
In my opinion:
Wait a minute, I don't have an opinion. Because I moved out of Portsmouth , 13years ago. LOL,hahahahahahahaha.
Guaranteed to be re-elected
Welcome to the armpit of Tidewater where anything can happen - and does.
Portsmouth
...Where the sewer meets the sea.
Racist Comments
Relax fellows. Nothing is going to happen. Paul Riddick in Norfolk made multiple racist comments and was delinquent in paying taxes and he is still on council. Guess why!
Sad day indeed
Mr Holley, are you so stupid that you don't think that the federal bonds don't contain money from whites? Last time I checked, we all pay taxes.
To the City Council. Portsmouth is a laughing stock of the state. We have school board members pulling the race card and suing the board becuase a few don't like the choices being made. We have judges going to court to get a palace they think they so richly deserve, and now, we have a once recalled mayor, who some were stupid enough to re-elect, shooting his ignorant mouth off. Please, censure him, cast the no confidence vote and force him to move off into the sunset. Oh, and take the keys to the vehicle away from him before he damages it yet again!
I agree with cowpower....
There is something city council can do and that is to put pressure on Holley to resign. It would be a show of good faith to we the citizens that they are TRULY opposed to the remarks and mindset displayed by the mayor. Then- and only then- will their statement be more than just lip service. This past week 3 members of the council showed the courage to stand in the face of adversity and "just say no" and now it's time for the rest of the council to step up to the plate and show their true commitment to the citizens of Portsmouth.
Authored by an Attorney
This letter from the Council was obviously written by a legal writer and not one of the bigots. So, I hold no truth to this letter.
Mayor Holley Needs to apologize.
Unfortunately Mayor Holley rightly or wrongly there is no place in today's politics for that type of frankness and candor. Please apologize and let's move on.
Little you can do?
"People want us to do something, and there's little we can do," Councilman Charles B. Whitehurst Sr. said.
--------------------
Mr. Whitehurst, under the election rules a recall may not be possible but there are a few other things:
1. Council could officially censure the mayor.
2. Council could cast a vote of "no confidence".
Either or both actions put pressure for resignation on Mayor Holley (however unlikely that might be). Whatever happens, the fact that Holley is dodging the press and will not speak for himself will forever make this issue unfinished. The mayor needs to hold a press conference and directly address the issue and apologize. But he may be so set in his ways that he just doesn't have it in him.
I really hope that the Mayor
I really hope that the Mayor doesnt think that this letter is in anyway going to satisfy the citizens of Portsmouth. You stood alone when you made these comments publicly now stand alone and apologize. better yet get out of office
Sad, Sad, Sad
I'm beginning to understand that older black politicians and leaders don't want to move into the next century like the Obama generation blacks. They seem to want to continue the "victim-hood" business and use these divisive terms like "black hotel", etc. Now I understand why Jesse Jackson and others are not respectful of Barrack. When Obama comes into office we will all see change and this old guard civil rights leadership which has been bankrupt for new ideas for 30 years will have to practice what they preach and enter the 21st century like the rest of us.
Holley is a racist pure and simple, I think we can all agree on that one crystal clear fact. He should be forced to resign for his disgraceful comments. It;s time for the good people of all races to show Holley the door.
Racism
Racism is rearing its ugly head in this country again because of Black political figures. It's starting to feel like the 50's & 60's again.
God help us!
Helluva Note!
This is really the pot calling the kettle black! The city council is just hacked because the mayor has called them on it. The city council in Portsmouth has been known far and wide for graft in government and it has always been along racial lines! Mayor holley is probably about the only member down that has the slightest shred of integrity or he is at least able to spell the word and actually know what it means. If the council is so worried about the city coming back together with unity then why the heck is 40% of the population supporting the other 60% of the population? I can tell you why. It is a helluva lot easier to make the rest of the city pay for the multitude of freeloaders in that city than for the city council members to clean up the areas they are elected to represent. I'm sure this comment will be flagged and found offensive. The truth always is! The city council is more responsible for creating d
I'll Summarize The Letter
Blah, blah, blah ...don't hold us responsible for this stupid racist...blah, blah, blah. this was in no way a renunciation of Holley's comments or castigation of the man for his outrageous viewpoints on race.
Holley
As a resident of Portsmouth who voted for Holley I must say a couple of things. First, there was only one opponent in the race, a woman who has proven over and over again that she's not interested in the rights of residents, Martha Creecy. She'd prefer to keep the residents of the historic districts in the 1920s than let them improve their properties with modern materials. She never listened to homeowners while on CAR and always voted against them.
Holley at least supports homeowners while they try to improve their homes. He listens to all residents regardless of race and has helped many. Yes, he has made some bad decisions and statements but, overall, his actions and service have helped Portsmouth.
So these were our choices for mayor. Neither one perfect, both lacking in judgement at times. How would you pick? The proven or the unproven?