VIRGINIA BEACH
Mayor Meyera Oberndorf defended her style and record Thursday in an effort to hang on to the job she's had for 20 years.
The three other candidates running for mayor this election season have blamed Oberndorf for a leadership void in Virginia Beach.
Oberndorf told audiences at two forums that as mayor she has been an "ambassador," traveling to Germany and Israel to lure businesses to Virginia Beach. She said she also helps set policy and tries to support and nurture community groups.
"Even if we're the largest city in the commonwealth, we have a small-town heart," said Obern-dorf, who is known for reading to classrooms and attending ribbon cuttings.
Will Sessoms, a bank president and the former vice mayor, said that if he is elected to the top post, "it might be a touch different."
At a roundtable Thursday at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Sessoms argued that too many important issues have been delegated to other council members.
The mayor needs to be the city's representative on boards such as the transportation authority and should always have been the primary contact with the Navy, he said.
When the federal government considered moving Oceana Naval Air Station out of Virginia Beach in 2005, two junior councilmen were liaisons to the Navy, Sessoms said.
"You can't tell me it wouldn't have been better for her to be there when the issues came up," Sessoms said.
Oberndorf said she met with Navy officials at every opportunity to try and protect Oceana. She is now the liaison to military groups, but she said that the mayor needs to delegate and allow other council members to participate.
At a forum Thursday night at Bayside High School, former Navy SEAL Scott Taylor argued that he would be better suited for the mayor's job because as a newcomer he would bring fresh ideas.
Taylor also said he has the time to devote to attending board meetings and reaching out to the community.
At the earlier forum, Taylor attacked Sessoms for missing some forums and said he should resign from TowneBank if elected.
"I disagree with Will that he has the time to be mayor," Taylor said.
People shouldn't be excluded from being mayor because they have a full-time job or aren't independently wealthy, Sessoms said.
He acknowledged that he wouldn't be able to accept every invitation to read at a school or throw out the first pitch at all youth baseball games. If elected mayor, his priorities would be to attend events and board meetings that involve economic development, transportation and Oceana, Sessoms said.
John Moss, a former councilman who is also running for mayor, said Virginia Beach's charter doesn't encourage a strong-mayor form of government. But the mayor needs to build consensus and go into the community and advocate for issues, such as spending more money on roads. That's been lacking, Moss said.
"Leadership takes risk," he said.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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Well Peter, as you well know, if a candidate actually wants to be competitive in a race against a 20 year incumbent who has the advantage of municipal TV, the city page, press releases, speeches to every conceivable group in the city, international travel, radio interviews, then that candidate must raise money to counter the free publicity brought to the table by the incumbent. Frankly, the incumbent gains personal recognition and popularity, not to mention name recognition, by all the aforementioned appearances, but does that actually produce value and leadership that benefits the citizens of this city? That of course, is the question, and for many of us who have worked hard for the incumbent in the past, but now realize that strong and assertive leadership is now needed, the choice is Will Sessoms.
Vote Oberndorf in November
This mayor's race is out of control with donations and spending. All are good candidates, but there is no outstanding reason to not vote for a mayor to another four year term.
Challenge for whomever is elected.
Actually no, than would not be the case at all. But citizens and taxpayers must hope that quality commercial and residential development continues, because that is an indication of the confidence of existing and new businesses that this is a quality community. If growth and development cease, and the residential taxpayer must therefore pick up more real estate taxes, then a period of deterioration, decline, and decay will set in. Of course, we have all seen this happen in communities all over this nation, and that is why we must elect enlightened and experienced members of the city council and mayor who uderstand and appreciate how to build and maintain a vibrant community. It is even more important in today's world as the state and federal government seem incapable of rational decision making. We have to make our own way, and no matter who is elected, that will be the case.
We know who Will Sessoms will keep in the SPSA
I find the following too funny:
Others who simply propose cuts in services and the firing of all blue collar workers in the city to be replaced with contractors are the ones who would lead us down the path of depreciation and decline. Sessoms is the right choice for leadership today and in the future.
Yeap, leadership. After the audit we know what kinda leadership we really need. someone who will CLEAN house. That looks more and more like John Moss.
Unless Sessoms comes out and states that he will remove Mike Barrett from the SPSA there is no reason to vote for him. Mike is part of the problem with the SPSA, a cheerleader for waistful spending.
Mayoral Race
I guess Mike Basrrett will lead us down the SPSA gargage path with his political recommendations. His comment about the age of a mayor shows how naive he really is.
Just look
Just look at all the donations Sessems has collected AND who they are from. Look at the others. It's crazy. It's insane! It should not be the money that wins this race it needs to be the person. I was looking at his donations 5000, 5000, 5000, 5000 all the way down the list for several pages. Boy, if he wins this race Town Bank may want to give that man a raise. Have you seen who has donated to him?? I can trouble in the making. Anyone else see this?
Look out...
If Sessoms gets in - look out for rampant development with no plan - thought that would not be any different than it is now. Just probably more accelerated. We would see many new mid rise (below 40 stories) go up, without the needed road infrastructure improvements before hand. Housing areas will be pushed to scale back, remove more garages and build even cheaper yet. Good old boy "Will" will only benefit the pockets of developers and the investors behind them. I guess as mayor you can pick your pet countries too!
Suspicious
I would be very suspicious of any candidate backed by strongly pro-developer Mike Barrett.
Not sure how Fraim Family fits in with Paul Fraim, but I'd say, probably. Fraim is also very pro-developer and cares little about citizenry in Norfolk. I have nothing against developers until they stop using their own money and start using mine. If it is such a great deal, finance it yourself should be the norm.
good line, bro
"Not voting for Will Sessoms is not a wasted vote. A wasted vote is one cast for any candidate that I think will be the most likely to beat the incumbent or leading candidate."
Can you dig it?!
All I know is...
that I'm sick and tired of seeing neighborhood after neighborhood being "developed" without supporting infrastructure. NO new roads, NO new highways, and NO solutions. Only more traffic. And anyone who thinks that Oberndorf and Sessoms AREN'T in the pockets of the developers are nuts! They are simply examples of what is wrong with our government, spending OUR money on THEIR pet projects, trips and whatnot. I'm tired of wondering how to pay for my children't college while Myra enjoys Germany and Sessoms will just be more of the same. Now I don't know if Moss or Taylor would be the better candidate but there is no way in *&^&* I'm voting for Ober-Sessoms. I want bridges that don't fall down under me, more roads, less "development", and better schools. They haven't done it in 20 years, I dont' see another 4 being any different.
Best Choice for Mayor of Virginia Beach.
Sessom$ would be the worst choice for Mayor. He is still trying to saddle us with regional taxes. Even Meyera, who voted for regional taxes, now realises that regional taxes were a bad idea. Do you really want to pay a long list of extra regional taxes to pay for a billion dollar bridge to Craney Island? I sure don't.
Clearly the best choice for Mayor is John Moss. He is a highly intelligent accountant who understands the budget process. Moss is the taxpayers choice, just the man who Virginia Beach needs.
Taylor for Mayor
I would like to say that I support Scott Taylor. I have never really given our city much thought until hearing from him, seeing what he has done during this race and hearing what everyone else has to say by attending some of the forums. I find all of them educational for us all. And you have not been to one you should attend one. Scott is a very good speaker with a great head on his shoulders and I think we will all be happy with him as our Mayor when he wins this race. He is a great leader with a lot of great ideas for our city. I have seen him attend neighborhood picnics and stay and listen to what people had to say. Scott wants to help all the neighborhoods in the largest city in Virginia. He may not have the money in his back pocket from supports like his opponents but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have the skill and knowledge to build upon this city we live in called Virginia Beach.
Vote for Scott Taylor I truly believe he is and will be Our Voice in this City.
How arrogant!
"Their presence in this two person race is simply a side show, any votes they get destined to be forgotten as involved citizens knowledgable of the requirements for office make their decision. They have both made their point, but if they really want what is best for Virginia Beach, they will acknowledge that a vote for either is wasted."
How ARROGANT to think YOU have the right to tell people how to vote!! or that their vote is wasted! The only thing here I personally see wasted is your so over the top support of Sessoms. Hmmmm, wonder what that means?
Sessoms was on council before and I wasn't impressed. So, I will proudly vote for the person I think will do the best job and not just some of the same.
Oberndorf IS the Mayor
IMO: Oberndorf is the only real choice in the election for Mayor. Her experiance, skill and ability to work with the ten members of city council on every issue is outstanding and reason enough to elect her again.
Sessoms is in the pockets of all those folks who gave him the half million in donations. He floped as vice mayor and ran away from the voters in 2002 in fear because of his voting record and spending habits with taxpayer funds.
Taylor seems to be a good choice in a few years when he gains more experiance in local government. I hope Taylor will run in 2010 for an At-large seat.
Moss is smart and great with numbers but has all that VBTA baggage.
Vote Oberndorf in November!
Captain Barrett
Not to correct you, sir, but there are three additional candidates besides Mayor Oberndorf.
Unless another has dropped out of the race, I show John Moss, Meyera Oberndorf, Will Sessoms, and Scott Taylor on the ballot.
Not voting for Will Sessoms is not a wasted vote. A wasted vote is one cast for any candidate that I think will be the most likely to beat the incumbent or leading candidate.
We must vote for who we think would be the best candidate for Mayor.
Let's be Honest
Well, in response to RENO, how can a challenger expect to win against a 20 year incumbent who had used the media and public exposure to the fullest to increase her own personal popularity? Of course Sessoms had to raise money to have his voice heard. The incumbent is to be admired and praised for her past service, but today, for the future, Sessoms is the best choice, and frankly, the presence of the other two candidates just makes the chance of electing the best candidate all the more difficult. Their presence in this two person race is simply a side show, any votes they get destined to be forgotten as involved citizens knowledgable of the requirements for office make their decision. They have both made their point, but if they really want what is best for Virginia Beach, they will acknowledge that a vote for either is wasted.
Hey Archie!
Looks like your Mayor gave Will Sessoms $2,500 under Fraim Family LLC.
Is Fraim a common name out in this neck of the woods?
Why John Moss Should Be The Only Choice As Mayor
It is high time to revitalize neighborhoods by bringing in new leadership to direct tax revenues to those who have been ignored.
Mayoral candidate John Moss continues to demonstrate and pledge a genuine concern for the well being of the Virginia Beach (VB) taxpayer. Former Councilman Moss has openly strived for a Return on Investment (ROI) for all tax burdened citizens who reside in each of the 987 neighborhoods. Many on Council have directed the primary financial assets of residents to support special interests over the massive needs of the seemingly unrepresented and overtaxed residential community and its 171,000 households. The City has lacked a strategic focus for managing its tax base and does not appear to fully understand the vital link between the tax base and economic development. If they had, a growing and disproportionate one sided real estate tax base of 87/13, (which also witnessed a 28% decline of the commercial tax base share), would have become prioritized and promoted to the public at large. Instead, Council supported the administration to marginalize any public review of this serious imbalance. Open government is virtually non-existant. If you believe that co
Reelect No one or Sessoms
Sessoms is a politician bought by pro development interests. Development approved by Virginia Beach City Council has never required the needed infrastructure to support it. Traffic is a terrible problem because of this past and present policy. Sessoms and the current Mayor will do nothing to solve our problems. Actually, they are part of the problem. Sessoms’ pro development record when he was on Council in the past was no better. Needed infrastructure was lacking when he was on Council. So, when you sit in traffic in Virginia Beach, you can thank Sessoms and Oberndorf for your wasted time and gas if you vote for either one of them. Reelect No one or Sessoms.
Scott Taylor
Mr. Taylor has fresh ideas that involve every citizen from every corner of our city, not just certain populations. He is smart, dynamic, hard-working, and dedicated to serving his community and his country. Yes, it has been said that he hasn't been involved enough in the city before and that he is relatively unknown....that's because he was PROTECTING HIS COUNTRY as a Navy SEAL!
Mr. Taylor has been all over our city talking to citizens: riding the bus to talk to people about their transportation concerns, walking into businesses to introduce himself personally, attending civic league meetings, meeting with nearly every community group out there in VA Beach. He is out there to know the people. Have you seen any other candidate knocking on doors? You will not find another candidate that will be more dedicated to our citizen's best interests.