Days count down for four Virginia Beach candidates

You don't deserve anything as someone posted previously....you earn it! Taylor has earned my vote, and I earned the right to make it.

reality is that the developers will take meyera (almost a rubber stamp) or willie (full rubber stamp) to fufull their wishes and keep the city piggy bank open to them. The strategy of pumping money to willie is sound, the odds of them succeeding is only a matter of degrees. Split the vote and take what ya get. The only thing that's changed the game is their anxiety level. With the likelyhood of a profoundly serious worldwide recession settling in they need to empty the city treasury (can you say municipal bankruptcy?)before the economy crashes. After the crash they can claim the economy was the problem....not their policies....

In all due respect, being there while these things happen is different than leading the council on these issues. In most cases, the incumbent was quite willing to let others do the hard work and consensus building, and when the dust had settled, she got in front of the parade. I'll never forget a celebration of the expansion of the Pavilion when she extolled the resort industry and complimented all the business owners and their workers and testified to the impact of the Pavilion when in fact she had voted against it. She has come a long way, but the stand by and let others do the work and then step in a take the credit style of "leadership" just does not cut it anymore. Thank her and honor her for her loyal and dedicated service, but now we need assertive, experienced, executive leadership, and Will Sessoms fits that role perfectly.

As a Virginia Beach property and small business owner also serving in the military I recognize that it is crucial to elect Moss on Tuesday. This is arguably more important than the Presidential race as we have an opportunity to remove a dinosaur and begin making policies that will affect us right here at home.

Our city is the safest and most prosperous on the Mid-Atlantic and we must elect a fiscal conservative into office if we wish to keep it that way. Taxes must be lowered, property values must be elevated, and special interests must not be allowed to purchase this election. Moss is exactly that conservative. Not only does he represent these values but as others have mentioned he is by far the most accessible candidate which in my eyes is absolutely golden. I wrote him an e-mail late at night and woke up to a detailed response the next morning.

My ballot is already cast in support of Moss and his allies on the city council ticket; mailed Express from Kuwait on the 29th!

I am shocked at the stories written about this years Mayoral race. I have never in all my years seen a reporters stories be so one sided and lack any attempt at the truth. This very paper attacked Will Sessoms on a regular basis for Oceana, 31st st, and many other issues that cost our City MILLIONS! Myra at least defends her mistakes. Will, like a little girl points the finger at Myra even if they both had hands in the cookie jar. Will's campaign is padded with developer and land owner money. He is not in touch with the City of VA Beach unless you are at Ocean Front. Will was on council 12 of the 20 years of problem. He has no right to call himself an agent of change. He turned his back on Oceana, Light Rail, reducing taxes, bus service, and economic development. He turned his back on the voters. Why should we believe his plan will work now when it didn't for 12 years? He was vice Mayor,he had the same vote then that he will as Mayor. He was not be leader for 12 years but now he suddenly can be? Vote for Scott Taylor enough is enough!

These are Watchwords for Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf. Some accomplishments during Meyera Oberndorf's tenure as Virginia Beach Mayor include: Economic Development and Job Creation More than 17,000 jobs and more than $300 million in revenue for VB were spared when Oceana Naval Station was saved from closure by the BRAC Commission. Procured the authority for and constructed the Lake Gaston Pipeline that supplies critically needed water to VB. Built Towne Center and the new Performing Arts Center attracting thousands of visitors and shoppers to Virginia Beach. Built the new Virginia Beach Convention Center attracting thousands of visitors weekly. Rehabilitated Atlantic Avenue resort area attracting thousands of Virginia Beach tourists annually. Meyera led the purchase of Princess Anne Commons (Lake Ridge). Public Education and Safety: Under Meyera's leadership 21 elementary schools were built or refurbished. Under Mayor Meyera's leadership, Virginia Beach has been consistently ranked as one of the safest of its size in the country. Built the oceanfront hurricane protection facility and operation "Big Beach". Because of her consistent record, Meyera is proud that more than 2,9

Yes, I certainly agree that there are just two viable candidates in the race, and that explains why Sessoms needed to raise the resources to make a creditable race against an incumbent with all the advantages of 20 years as the Mayor. Sessoms has run a very positive campaign and has made his arguments very effectively, showing that he has the vision and the ability to lead the city council to make the decisions in the public interest. That means that he will stress economic development to increase the commercial tax base so residents can pay the least amount of real estate tax possible. He is the only challenger who has a chance to win, and the only one who "gets it" when it comes to an action plan. Further, he has already demonstrated that he can lead the council, and he is prepared and ready day 1 to lead and decide. He deserves to be elected Mayor.

It astounds me that people posting actually think Moss or Taylor has a chance. They will certainly finish 3rd and 4th (my guess is Taylor a distant 3rd and Moss behind him).

There are only 2 viable, professional, reasonable candidates on the ballot, Sessoms and Meyera. My guess is that Meyera will win this race.

Someone mentioned term limits. We already have them - they're called elections. If someone is doing a good job there's no reason not to keep them in office. If someone isn't making the grade the voters have nobody to blame but themselves if that person is re-elected. The consequences of term limits outweigh the (perceived) benefits.

I completely support John Moss and look forward to voting for him. As co-founder and chairman of the Virgina Beach Taxpayers Alliance he knows the city budget process and will FINALLY bring fiscal responsibility back to the city. No more confiscatory taxes, no more special pet projects for developers at YOUR taxpayer expense, no more over development, no more eminent domain, no more ignoring referendums voted on by the citizens, and no more unsupervised unchecked city managers!

Please vote John Moss for mayor of Virginia Beach!!! We need him!

One of Sessoms main campaign contributors is Bob Aston,President of TowneBank. Now why would an employer want an employee to take on another job unless it helps to foster his business.The business world operates under one model "What's in it for me".The word in Aston's territory Portsmouth/Chesapeake is TB wants Sessoms as Mayor in VB to promote their interests and grow. This would have made an interesting article. The Pilot doesn't even mention this. What a sham? With 4 candidates it is possible any of them could win. If it is Sessoms he should quit TB and cut all financial ties.

Hey Mike,

Hows that SEPSA thing working out for ya?

Well, the way to overthrow Mayor Oberndorf is *not* to split the opposition vote between three candidates. It's just as well. I love the current mayor. The comments on her being a grandmother just reflect the progression of the nihilism of our day ("abort the unwanted children, then go after the older people so they won't be too expensive to take care of when they get ill"). I think we should take a huge lesson from the Japanese and a few other cultures that revere their older folks. There is only one way to gain wisdom--live a long time! Cheers, MGM

Until we have one challenger, we will be stuck with her. To say that Spore does a good job, only if you consider constantly trying to hurt city employees as doing a good job. Why am I stuck in hell dealing with worker's comp instead of on my retirement after being hurt on the job? Jim Spore!!! Why over the years have the public safety employees had to fight for what they were promised? Jim Spore! We won't be able to get rid of him until someone else is mayor. I will vote for someone else if only to get rid of Jim Spore.

It's time for a change for the city of Virginia Beach. First and foremost I will say I am voting for John Moss. I wrote him an e-mail asking particular questions and within 4 hours he was on the phone PERSONALLY SPEAKING to me. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have contacted Ms. Obendorf and have NEVER HEARD A THING BACK! What does that say? He cares. She doesn't. Second, as far as the comment about Jim Spore and the management department doing an excellent job with the budget-NOT! Too much money is spend on unnecessary things and not enough spent on what is NEEDED!! Third, we need to impose term limits so people can't get into an office and stay there forever and ever amen. Change is not a bad thing people. Fourth, yes I remember the phone tax. I also remember our emergency departments being understaffed and intersections at great risk for accidents but there weren't enough funds for extra staff, equipment or safety lights. But low and behold, it turns out we DID have enough for a "downtown VB." Yes, I remember. Which is why, once again, I will not vote for Obendorf. Let's get people in office who know how to prioritize and get NEEDED things done FIRST!

I am shocked at the stories written about this years Mayoral race. I have never in all my years seen a reporters stories be so one sided and lack any attempt at the truth. This very paper attacked Will Sessoms on a regular basis for Oceana, 31st st, and many other issues that cost our City MILLIONS! Myra at least defends her mistakes. Will, like a little girl points the finger at Myra even if they both had hands in the cookie jar. Will's campaign is padded with developer and land owner money. He is not in touch with the City of VA Beach unless you are at Ocean Front. Will was on council 12 of the 20 years of problem. He has no right to call himself an agent of change. He turned his back on Oceana, Light Rail, reducing taxes, bus service, and economic development. He turned his back on the voters. Why should we believe his plan will work now when it didn't for 12 years? He was vice Mayor,he had the same vote then that he will as Mayor. He was not be leader for 12 years but now he suddenly can be? Vote for Scott Taylor enough is enough!

I rather see Moss win, but anyone to remove Oberndorf from her seat would be great! All she does is cut ribbons, speak on any stage, start the 1/2 marathon and read to school children? Must be nice being Mayor! Mayor should have more responsibilities and take responsibility for what happens at city council meetings. All she would say is, she has no power and voted this way or that way. She needed to have power and to be a Mayor not the lady in red sneakers running all over town!!!! 20 years of her stupidly is enough! If Virginia Beach is to be seen as a growing city we need a Mayor who represents that no folksy!

Does Sessoms really have a chance?

Of course the worse thing for the other challengers is that the PPV's that Will Sessoms helped to create and nurtured through the legislative process have been so wildly successful that the objective numbers verify his program of economic development as the best means to create residential real estate tax relief. Today requires more of the same; that is, rational and objective decision making based upon the public interest, and in cities throughout this country, those that stimulate quality private development within the context of the city's strategic vision and plan can overcome the uncertainty of support from the state and federal government. It is not surprising that while we are in a national recession, Hampton Roads in general, and Virginia Beach most specifically, are riding out the storm well. Without private economic development, we would be more dependant on the state and the feds, and that is a vulnerable position. Sessoms is right for the times.

Interesting how the pilot plugs all of Sessoms's talking points, but fails consistently to point out his prior record. The residential real estate tax is 87% for homeowners. Sessom's "economic development" initiatives contributed to this rate. This man vacations with the city manager and was a Meyera supporter! Says he supports Oceana, yet voted for all encroachments against it and was with Meyera when they refused a joint land use study plan between the Navy and city. How hypicrital can you be? Money may be able to buy and bury your way out of the past Sessoms, but too many people know you. This paper consitently bashed Sessoms in the past, but now endorses him? Really? Are you bought that easily VB Pilot? We need an untainted Mayor, who is real leadership and character. Vote Scott Taylor. A man who has served his country and was in the most elite fighting force in the nation. This is someone who has consistently been under reported by this blatantly biased newspaper. I can't wait till November 4th!! Scott Taylor for VB Mayor!!

Take a good look at the candidate's picture. You can easily see Will Sessoms very professional appearance. Next, look at the doddering old lady next to him. You know, the one who wears red tennis shoes. This is an easy choice, folks. Represent Virginia Beach with the best, not an inept, old woman.

Anyone remember the phone tax debacle in 1999? Mayor O voted for the tax but switched her vote because of the white hot voter anger over it. Sessoms was absent for the vote (how convenient) but was later quoted in a Pilot editorial as saying "Fifty cents makes sense" and that he enthusiastically supported the TAX INCREASE. He championed many white elephants (31st St. et al) while on council. All of these pet projects began to fully take hold after he left council thus helping to dramatically increase the RES. R/E tax percentage to 87%. Keep in mind we alreay have the lowest wages in VA and the projects he favored incl. Town Ctr., primarily have created low paying service sector jobs. Perhaps we can do without his leadership if this is what we received under his vice-leadership.

Need to tell grandma good-bye and move on to more forward thinking, responsible, and honest leadership. John Moss will bring the citizen back to city hall, and end the years of developer controlled, bought and paid for council leadership. A vote for Moss is a vote for the taxpayer.

Please vote for our 20 year experienced mayor to continue in her job.

This is not the priority job of a mayor.

"The former vice mayor says that in these turbulent economic times, Virginia Beach needs a leader who can read a balance sheet and dissect a budget."

Jim Spore and the Managament Services department do an excellent job preparing the budget. City Council talks about then approves the budget prepared by city staff.

No bean counters for mayor please. Virginia Beach already has real leadership and a "people person" in the mayor's office.

What kind of access do you get for 11K?

Will, feel free to answer.