VIRGINIA BEACH
It's been 10 years since an African American served on the City Council, and on Saturday the latest crop of political candidates offered their ideas of how to get a more inclusive government.
African American candidates would have a better chance of getting elected to the council if the city had a ward system, if more residents got involved in leadership boards, or if the black community came together to back one choice, those running for office told a gathering of the Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men Inc.
In Virginia Beach, voters throughout the city cast ballots for all district and at-large candidates. District candidates could win the support of their districts but lose their races because they didn't get enough votes from the rest of the electorate.
The City Council considered a ward system in the early 1990s but argued it would be divisive and deprive voters of picking all their representatives.
"This citywide race is a barrier," said Georgia Allen, who is running for the at-large seat.
Will Sessoms, who is running for mayor, said he supports an inclusive community but said African Americans are sometimes divided about whom they will support. "That's not what you want to hear, but it's true," Sessoms said.
The Rev. Joe Flores disagreed and called for a community discussion on race and equality in Virginia Beach.
"Nobody says that about the white community," Flores said. "When you have two white candidates - that they're going to split the white vote."
Flores, who is black, is running for the Kempsville district seat. He faces incumbent Harry Diezel and another black candidate, Andrew Jackson.
Thelma Carroll, a Jackson supporter, said Sessoms had a point.
But she questioned whether a ward system is the answer. A ward may guarantee an African American representative in one community, but the process could make it difficult for African Americans to win in other wards.
"Outside of that protected seat, you can't compete at all," Carroll said.
The candidates also pitched their plans for economic development and improving the transportation and road system. Most said the city should consider light rail and improve bus service throughout the community.
John Moss, who is also running for mayor, said he doesn't think light rail makes financial sense and worries that lower-income neighborhoods could be displaced by stations.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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Ward System for Blacks to Vote
Why is it that Blacks or people of color have to jump thru so many hoops to get or do anything. Voting is everyones right if you registered than you can vote. Forget the wards when will it be " One person One Vote". And fair just representation for everyone not just one group of people. Hopefully America will wake up. And put persons in office who are fighting for equality on all levels for everyone.And not just for the elite few. Pastor Flores is right along with John Moss if taking a risk means getting things done in office. Then so be it.
“Candidates: Wards would help blacks get elected”
Can we get back to the issues? We need someone on Virginia Beach City Council that cares about our community more than the developers. We need someone who is in touch with the majority of the residents. We need someone that will prioritize the children. We need someone who will work to eliminate racial and economic barriers that currently exist in Virginia Beach. We need Pastor Joe Flores!! Vote November 4 for Pastor Joe Flores!
Designated Black Representative Seats
I like the idea of having some city council seats designated as "Black Only Seats." To get elected to one of these seats you have to be black. This would always guarantee a racially diverse and harmonious council. It kind of plays off of a segregationist theme, but with a neat little affirmative action twist. This method of government manipulation worked quite well for years in Yugoslavia.
Pastor vs Banker in who really represents voters?
Pastor Flores was right! We need a dialogue on race and the economic disparities that exist under an all white / pro-developer city government!
Apparently, Sessioms missed the memo which announced that differences over candidates is not just a 'black thing'.
Thanx Mr Sessioms for injecting race into this - it makes it easier to ignore the realities of the VB elite getting richer, while the poor are left to do more with less.
Know the act all too well Henry
What the heck does that have to do with my post regarding black vs white candidates? You have more than a slight disconnect in logic path there. Who was discussing voting rights anywhere?? Perhaps the way to solve this issue of not having a black seated is to just cut right through all the baloney of trying to make the votes come out the way some would like and just go ahead and have a seperate election for blacks only to elect and seat a black. In effect, that is exactly what you are proposing anyway just in what some might feel is a more politically acceptable manner. It seems that we pushed for integration and desegregation but now that we have it, we don't like the natural results of that either. It also seems we make an assumption that black voters will or should vote for blacks and that white voters will or should voter for white candidates. Isn't that the desired effect of redrawing lines? Then what is?
Replies
Stevenc,
Try reading the Voting Rights Act of 1965. From your post, it sounds like you haven't.
Thomas Paine,
I drew 2 of the 7 Virginia Beach Redistricting plans in 2001. Your comment couldn't be much further from the truth. Even under the current 7 district plan, 2 of the districts (Centerville and Rose Hall) are over 40% minority.
I'm Black & I don't approve this message
Wards are not the answer & would serve a minority.I'm also concerned as to what issue that I need only a black councilman. No racial group should be solitified behind any one politician because of race.Its true diversity is needed on the council but not like this.
Oh grreat
Wards have worked out so well for Norfolk. I cant wait to see the political landscape in VB after the implementation of a ward system.
Asians?
CH, I think you should reread Steven's letter. You may not know this, but Asians are not "white" as you put it. They seem to be doing fine. They are in fact represented on City Council in VB.
Steven
The difference between the Irish, Portuguese, etc. and blacks is the ability of these other groups to assimilate into mainstream American culture easier and faster. It's the difference between having basic physical characteristics that unite or divide people-essentially one's skin color. People with a light complexion blend in just like people with a dark complexion blend in. If it were truly about nationality instead of the generalizations based on skin color, then we would not only be saying Irish descendants, Portuguese descendants, German descendants, but also Nigerian descendants, South African descendants, Ethiopian descendants, etc (instead of white/black). For the most part, everyone is lumped into these stereotyped groups-black, white, Asian, Native American, hispanic, without regard for their specific origins.
An outsider looking in sez...
Before I begin, let me say that [1] I do not vote in Virginia. I am an outsider making comments, and [2] I care not one bit the color of someones skin since ability trumps hue every time.
In the short run, should you adopt a ward system, all the ward politicos will hold hands and sing Kumbyah. The people who elected them will develop a nice warm fuzzy feeling and return to America's Got Talent.
In the long run, a return to ward politics would be a diasaster. Look at Chicago if you want a corrupt ward politics example. The brightest and best in Chicago must have the local (ward) political machine behind them to get elected and to get anything done after being elected. The local political machine controls the money and the press. Offend the machine and re-election is impossible. So much for the ideas of the best and brightest. Third party candidates need not apply. And this is for any elected or appointed
Wards are Good for All
A ward system is good for all candidates as it allows a candidate to focus on a smaller area of the city for votes. It is cheaper and easier for a new comer to defeat the year after year council member. Minority candidate or not, a ward system is good for all new candidates with little money and name recognition to get elected in VB. I'd support a ward system if it ever goes to a vote by the public...
Lets see---
African-American candidates are upset because their constituents are not united behind one candidate? Sounds like a lot of smart people out there who don't vote based on race but do vote on who's best! Mr. Flores seems to be advocating that black voters should only vote for black candidates, or did I miss something? By all means lets re-align the voting precints to accomodate candidates based on race ---- NOT! A candidate who isn't well-versed enough or prepared enough to get elected wants to pull out the race card. I feel sure Portsmouth would be willing to give you Mayor Holley and Norfolk would be happy to send Paul Riddick to help you Mr. Flores. You deserve each other!
Somebody explain why
Why in on earth in this day and age are we using race as a metric for a candidate? What could be more racist at its core. How many people of Italian decsent hold seats? How many of Irish descent? How many of Portuguese decsent? How many of Spanish descent? Asians? (They were interned during WWII. Treated horribly). Is anybody keeping those statistics as well? Candidates run on qualifications, not on race. The more certain groups keep trying to make this non issue an issue, the more divisive this moot issue will continue to be. Imagine for a minute if our newspapers were spattered everyday with articles of how the Irish, for example, were so mistreated in Ameraican history (and they were) and how we don't have enough Irish in key positions blah, blah, blah. Eventually, a good portion of the population would be tired of hearing about the crybaby Irish.
Wards ar not the answer, look at the school board
Wards are not the answer. The minority population in Va Beach is so distributed a ward would cross the city and look like like what it would be, a token seat on the City Council. Wonder why there are minority elected school board members that follow the same voting districts as our City Council? It is because they run campaigns that have ideas that cross all boundries. Weak candidates will continue to go down in defeat due to the lack of content in what they bring to the council table.
No matter how you do it . . .
Someone is going to get left out. At large elections get everyone involved overall. Those that get involved the most, get their candidates elected. Thost that don't, don't get elected. Politics, like life, shouldn't be a free ride for anyone or any select group. If a group of people want to get a candidate elected, they should put the effort into getting it done.
Bob, are you kidding me?
"Thus, if they want a black to hold public office, they should do it the same way as everybody else...run for it and win. The time for affirmative action is long dead."
___________________________________________________________________________
They've never done it that way and continue to find other ways (ACORN????) to get their way besides by the rules. We've created this monster and now it's out of hand and they expect to get what they want by other means besides the "same way as everybody else". They've been told they don't have to play by the rules (affirmative action again).
Government Lesson for hwatkins
Let me give you a lesson in Government, hwatkins. The Constitution starts with “We the People”. The “People” elect the best choice at the time of the election. Following an election, the electorate gives those elected the opportunity to do their duty for the people. One of the reasons why our School Board members and Council members serve four year terms is so the people can continue to embrace their performance or reject it. This time around, I reject all of the incumbents. My prerogative. On November 4, the people will elect the best choice of those who were willing to run for office. Some will stay and hopefully many will not be reelected. (at the will of the people) My “rant” is genuine. Virginia Beach needs new leadership.
wards
Great! I think Virginia Beach should move to the Ward System, and then we can be just like Norfolk. We will then have more political corruption (if possible) and if we try maybe even their crime! How about we leave it the way it is and someone gets elected to office by their platform/beliefs instead of their color. I believe the majority of Caucasians will vote for who is better for the position and not based on white, black or any other color of skin!
Just give me someone who is qualified and is looking out for the interest of the majority, not their own pockets!
Explain this reno
You said: "Virginia Beach citizens have and will elect the best candidates."
Then why do you constantly (in every forum) advocate re-electing no one??? Doesn't make sense if you truly believe VB citizens elect the best candidates!
Reelect No One, Especially the Mayor
Virginia Beach has a history of supporting candidates of all ethnicities. The key is for individuals with the skills, knowledge, expertise, time, and desire to serve to come forward. Virginia Beach citizens have and will elect the best candidates. Virginia Beach does not need a quota system in any way shape or form. Remember a candidate can not win if they do not put their name out there and run for office. As a citizen of Virginia Beach, I embrace the opportunity to be able to vote for all Council and School Board Members. It holds both the School Board and the Council accountable to all citizens in the city, not just the ones in “their area”. Reelect No One, Especially the Mayor
Ward system?
Ward systems are long dead. The at large system assures you the most talented, qualified people to administer the cities business. Returning to, or using the ward system does nothing other than to admit that some areas of the city are not racially diverse/integrated, whichever term you would like to use, as they should be. Everyone has the opportunity to run for an office. If your black or white and want the position, put yourself out there and put together the mechanisms that will make that happen. Go for it!
Ward System
I do not believe a ward system should be established specifically to elect a black (or white or red or yellow or brown). I think the system we have allows everyone to vote for everyone. In my opinion, that's the way to elect local officials.
Equal Protections
...No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the priveleges... of the citizens of the Unites States...nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law.
That's from the 14th amendment. The city is attempting to make exceptions so that blacks will be on the council, which denies other races and ethnicities the "equal protection of the law". Thus, if they want a black to hold public office, they should do it the same way as everybody else...run for it and win. The time for affirmative action is long dead.
P.S. It would have been nice if the article had explained the wards system.
By all means...
let's do whatever it takes to get to get a black on the City Council even if it can't be done by the official, legal way. Let's change the rules and do anything we have to do and forget what the voters want or say...we must have an African American on the City Council or...or...or what? the voters vote and that's that. Don't change the process just because some don't like the outcome....
More Like Portsmouth and Norfolk
This would be great and Virginia Beach could then be more like Norfolk and Portsmouth and maybe you could even get Riddick to move a little east?
Interesting
Interesting how political diversity is not measured based on positions on political issues but purely on appearance.
GIVE ME A BREAK
Must we always complain that one particular slice of the pie is not represented on City Council (or any other group for that matter)? The fact is we cannot have every ethnic group represented. The most popular, well financed, and auspicious candidates are the ones who wind up on the ballot. GIVE ME A BREAK! Our City Council does not need to have 2x as many members simply because someone is mad that a black member is not present. Simply put, when a suitably qualified and popular black member steps forward, you will see representation. Is the world not pleased enough w/ Obama one step from a hopeful Presidency?
How is it "equal"?
How is it "equal" when we put in place a system that allows for a candidate of a particular race to have a seat on the council simply because of thier skin color? Talk about "set asides"! That would all but assure that a white candidate who lived in that particular ward could never be elected.
Just what we need-a system that allows for a seat on the council that only a black person could have. It that were done for whites, it'd be called RACISIM.
This would also have the potential to give us our own Paul Riddick which is the LAST thing we need in Virginia Beach.
Ward system? No thanks.
Charity
I believe in charity, too. Help those who can't help themselves, that's what I always say. Clearly, minorities need help. Not just on city council, but for some reason, they're not succeeding as much as we'd like. So let's adjust the standards! Let's help these poor, unfortunate victims do the same things that white people can do.