VIRGINIA BEACH
A campaign fundraiser held by a local Cox Communications executive has caused a stir in Virginia Beach.
Gary McCollum, the senior vice president and general manager of Cox Hampton Roads, hosted a reception and fundraiser at his home on Aug. 20 for City Council candidate Andrew Jackson and School Board candidate Erika Walker-Cash.
Some council members objected, saying the fundraiser is inappropriate and breaks with the company's long -standing practice to stay out of local campaigns. Jackson is running for the Kempsville district seat and is facing incumbent Harry Diezel, the council's liaison to Cox.
The Rev. Joe Flores also is running for the seat.
"I've never heard of it before," Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson said of McCollum's involvement.
Councilman Jim Wood, a Diezel supporter, sent an e-mail to both McCollum and a Cox executive in Atlanta questioning the fundraiser for Jackson.
"While I certainly understand that people have the right to vote for and support anyone they choose, someone with high name recognition in the community such as Mr. McCollum may cause people to think that Cox Cable is supporting a particular candidate," Wood wrote in an Aug. 18 e-mail.
Cox, which is a major provider of television services in Virginia Beach and has a cable television franchise agreement with the city, should stay above the political fray, Wood said.
McCollum said he and his wife held the fundraiser as private citizens supporting a friend and not as a Cox executive. There was no mention of Cox in the notices of the event, McCollum said.
"This is what we all should be doing," he said. "We should care enough about the communities that we live in."
McCollum said he and Jackson are friends and both attend First Baptist Bute Street Church.
"We've prayed together," McCollum said. "We've shared dinners together."
Jackson called the dust-up "comical" and "petty."
"People have other lives besides where they work," he said.
Cox allows its employees to make campaign contributions and get involved in the political process as long as "it's on their time and it's with their own money," said Felicia Blow, a spokeswoman for Cox Hampton Roads.
Although there are no contributions listed for him so far in this election, McCollum has given $34,550 primarily to Democratic candidates and campaigns since 2004, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, a non profit organization that tracks money and politics.
McCollum gave $500 to Norfolk Councilwoman Daun Hester earlier this year and $10,000 in 2006 to Fairfax County Chairman Gerry Connolly.
Diezel said he spoke to McCollum and doesn't object to the fundraiser. But it's not surprising that people are questioning the move, Diezel said.
"Gary, if he likes it or not, is a public figure," Diezel said. "It's his choice. I don't have any heartburn about it."
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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Good Luck Pastor Joe
Sure looks like you have one precinct supporting you. However, it is a citywide race. Flores has done nothing for my community, Diezel has. That is why he will win...he is not a one issue person.
QUOTE...."Jackson is running
QUOTE...."Jackson is running for the Kempsville district seat and is facing incumbent Harry Diezel, the council's liason to Cox. The Rev. Joe Flores also is running for the seat."...
Harry Diezel, I know, because he is already in the seat..
Rev. Flores I know, because I see him ACTUALLY WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY....
Andrew Jackson, I didn't know, nor had I ever seen him in the community before he decided to run for city council..
It is a HUGE slap in the face for Rev. Flores to be mentioned as if he is not in the race. Rev. Flores was, is and will continue to be a strong community leader who has the WANT TO, KNOW HOW and resources to make the changes needed to benefit the Kempsville District.
Shocked
I am shocked that Pastor Flores is mentioned so casually. I work in the Lake Edwards area and I have seen first hand all that Pastor Flores is trying to do for the community. I have also attended city council meetings and noticed Mr Diezel falling asleep when important issues were brought to the table. Obviously he doesnt care what goes on in the community because for years nothing has changed. As for Andrew Jackson I have never heard of him. Please understand Pastor Flores is the only one fighting for our community to improve so that our children can have a brighter future. And to me when picking a candidate that should be what matters the most the children. Pastor Flores is my candidate for city council and for all intense and purposes he should be everyones choice.
Now it is a story
OK, it is a story now because of all the comments posted by Team Flores.
My guess is Flores is not mentioned because he is not really a viable candidate. I would predict the race with Diezel winning, then Jackson and then Flores.
I have no problem with council members supporting people they work with every day, but I still don't think this is really a story.
PS: I'm still a Diezel supporter.
Pleaazzzzzzzzzzze!
Are those two kidding! How much money has been raised by public figures for Will "if you got the cash" Sessoms or for that matter Rosemary herself. Hey Jim! exactly how many members of your family are on the planning commission? This kind of mudslinging (not to mention self dealing) is just two Council members protecting one of their own. By the way Harry is getting my vote (nice guy trying to do the right thing), his friends need to butt out...hypocrits!
flores as candidate
How is it that Joe Flores, who has passionately championed the issues that affect the Newtown-Baker Corridor only receives "also ran" mention in this article? His work alone demands more than an afterthought in this article. Can it be that difficult to do or would it seem as if you have moved from being a reporter to a supporter if something positive -- and true, by the way -- would get mentioned in your, uh, "article"?
Pastor Joe Flores
Why was it not mention of the hardess worker in the campaign.
Pastor Joe Flores
Why was the nemtion of the hardess person so small.
For years there have not
For years there have not been a voice to speake up for the people in Lake Edwards. From the time Joe Flores moved into the area. There have been a vioce for the people. The passion that he have for the people and the kids in the neighborhood have been and incouragement for many pepole. Joe Flores is not just any person running for city council. But the only logical candidate with a voice and a passion for the people of the community.
We are for Joe Flores as the new City Councilman of the Kempsville Area.
Not happy
Wats good virginia pilot..I just wanted to say being a member of the community i have seen Pastor Joe Flores do so many good things for the community that no other running candidate has done...so i would like to leave this comment by saying this remarkable man of GOD is more than just an also running candidate he is The Candidate.
-Bless
OKAY, whats going on
Who are all these people. Why am i paying so much for my cable bill? Thats all I want to know. Oh okay, we got time to cover stories about fundraisier but no time for this paper to talk about the candidates. That's why I don't subscribe to this tabloid. Anyway, 3 count of them, 3 candidates. Why so small print for the 3rd candidate, Joe Flores. I've seen Mr. Diezel. saw him at C.Council meetings but he had nothing to say. I also meet Mr. Jackson, but havent seen him in my community. I meet Mr. Flores, I've seen him in the community, and these men are suppose to be running for C.Council? Lets elect Joe Flores, he has been seen in the community and he will say something at City Council.
campaign fundraiser
What"s up V-Pilot? Did you forget that this is a 3 person race for the City Council Kempsville District.Joe Flores is the only recognizable name in the community.Andrew Jackson,Harry Diezel are A.W.O.L. Gary Mc,save your money.
No big deal
My first reaction was to consider canceling my cox cable account and switching to Verizon. However if Mr. Diezel has "no heartburn with it" why should I? I'm remaining with cox.
Seems like one more news story written just to fill space in the newspaper...
Joe Flores, candidate for Virginia Beach City Council
Pastor Flores has already established himself as a community leader through his service and advocacy to the residents of the Newtown/Baker Corridor. The Dennis and Sears' families can attest to Joe Flores' intervention in community affairs because they both sought his assistance in the shooting deaths of their sons in the recent past. Pastor Flores also hosted a summer camp program sponsored by the City of Va. Beach, at the Newtown Cultural Life Center, which enriched the lives of close to 100 young people this summer. He is no rookie to the political arena and is a strong voice for the children and empowerment of neighborhoods, and for people who seemingly have no voice. Joe Flores also has developed relationships with local law enfocement officials, current City Council members, community and civic leaders with the goal of making Virginia Beach a better place for all its residents. Please do not discount him as just another candidate for City Council. He is THE candidate that the Newtown/Baker Corridor and the entire Kempsville District NEEDS as their advocate for change.
Virginia Beach City Council Race
I have three questions.. Did the Virginian Pilot contact Rev. Joe Flores for his comment/opinion on the fund raiser given by the CEO of the Cable monopoly in Virginia?
If the CEO is not a public figure, than why is a party at his house newsworthy? When I (your average Virginia Beach resident, taxpayer, & Cox Cable Subscriber) support candidates, there is no mention of them in the newspaper.
Finally, why don't we highlight the candidates activities? Rev. Flores lives, preaches, and supports the forgotten community of the Lake Edwards/ Baker Road Corridor. Can any of the other candidates truthfully make that statement? If they do, I would step aside to avoid the huge strike of lightnening that comes when you tell lies!
campaign fund raising event
PASTOR Joe Flores is an extremely strong candidate in this race. He was briefly mentioned in this article as if he wasn't running.
Which is extremely suprising to me because he is the ONLY CANDIDATE that I see working in the community..
His record of service to the community speaks volumes.
money
well i'm a supporter of Joe Flores, who is trying to bring some equality into our council and help those communities that the council continues to ignore. If Virginia Beach is to become a place for all people i suggest we get someone in city council who does not have a personal agenda and wants to help all people not just those in high places. vote Joe Flores .
Questionable
I guess I would wonder why this is even a story? By the way, I support Diezel.
No Problem
I am a Cox subscriber for many years. I never heard of Gary McCollum, but people who are “in the know” say he is a public figure. I think City Council is wrong to object to legal fundraising. If there is a real problem here, then write to the State Board of Elections.
Two candidates are getting support. This is nothing new in an election. We read plenty of stories about campaign contributors. This is simply another story with no substance. Good luck to all candidates.
As a Cox Employee
I have nothing bad to say about Gary. On my first day on the job he came down to meet his new employees. That is like the Admiral coming down to get to know the Airmen. He is not your typical ceo, he is down in the trenches with his employes.
At our quarterley meetings he shares his life story with us. He came from nothing to become what he is. Not to sound like some brainwashed fan, but he is what America is about. Almost every person I have meet at work loves him and rightly so.