Virginia Beach to fill vacant liaison-to-military post

VIRGINIA BEACH

City leaders hope to hire a military liaison by Labor Day, which would fill a consultant post that has been vacant for roughly a year.

Bob Matthias, an assistant to the city manager, said a list of six to eight finalists will be culled in the coming weeks. Matthias said the job should be filled "on or about Sept. 1."

The city's previous liaison, retired Navy Capt. J.B. Dadson, stepped down last year. Dadson was paid more than $65,000 in the past three fiscal years, city records show. His final payment was in August 2007.

Steve Herbert, deputy city manager, said the new consultant would earn about $30,000 a year. The job is part-time and does not come with public health benefits.

The post is a bridge between local military installations and city government. Dadson often kept the city informed of homecomings or military activities at places including Oceana Naval Air Station and its Dam Neck Annex, Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base and Fort Story.

Dadson also traveled with city officials and helped Matthias research issues. When Dadson stepped down, City Council members wrestled over whether to replace him during a tight budget and a struggling economy.

"The council made a conscious decision that this is something we needed to prioritize," Matthias said. "There was enough need enunciated."

At least one retired rear admiral welcomed the search for a new hire.

"With all the military that's here, I think it's extremely important," said Fred Metz, who has voluntarily taken on some of Dadson's duties since his retirement.

Councilman John Uhrin said a consultant with military experience would also be an asset to the city's nascent Military Economic Development Advisory Committee.

The panel of retired military officials is a first step in the city's latest effort to attract more military-related business to Virginia Beach. Herbert said the consultant would be a staff liaison to the committee.

"That's an important new piece," Herbert said.

The new consultant wouldn't be the only one on the Beach's military payroll.

This year, the city will contribute roughly $190,700 to be part of the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance.

The regional consortium lobbies for localities from James City County to the Beach and has weighed in on topics including the potential closing of Oceana and the possible move of Navy infrastructure to Florida.

"We believe in the regional effort," Matthias said. "We're pooling our funds with others, and we believe we're getting good bang for our buck."

Mayor Meyera Oberndorf said that while the consultant does represent the city, it is still her job to attend public events such as homecomings or change-of-command ceremonies.

Still, the mayor added, it helps "to have someone who has served in the military, who understands the chains of command."

"He can get on the base," Metz added with a laugh. "They can't even get on the base."

Richard Quinn, (757) 222-5119, richard.quinn@pilotonline.com