Four challengers take on Beach at-large council vet

VIRGINIA BEACH

It's a crowded race for the at-large City Council seat held by Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson. Four challengers are out to beat the two-term incumbent.

A graduate student, the president of the city's NAACP chapter, a fishing boat captain and a retiree from New York City are campaigning.

Wilson, 58, a real estate agent and former school teacher, is dominating the field in fundraising. She has taken in $77,000, according to campaign finance reports. Challenger Georgia Allen, the NAACP president, has raised $7,200 and has $740 left. The other three have not raised money, although Leona Shuler, the boat captain, said she will list contributions in her next report.

Wilson said that if re-elected she'd stress development projects, citing the Sportsplex and the Dome site. She's a proponent of bicycle lanes and a booster of the city's program to reinvigorate neighborhoods with tax credits and home design standards.

"It's going to make a big difference in the fabric of the community," she said. She said the city should continue to boost tourism because of its contribution to the tax base.

"When people say we shouldn't be putting money into the Oceanfront, well, Chesapeake would love to have an 89-cent tax rate," she said, noting it's the lowest in the area.

Allen, 55, is the only challenger with campaign experience. She lost a 2005 race to former Del. Leo Wardrup.

A Pungo-area native who works in the finance department at Alltel, she said she'd try to lower taxes for seniors and small-business owners. S he'd work to strengthen the relationship between residents and police, suggesting a program of incentives for police to live in low-income areas.

Allen, whose 21-year-old niece was killed by her boyfriend in May, said reducing violence against women would be one of her priorities.

Leona Shuler, 47, the fishing boat captain and part-time activist, stresses environmental causes. She helped lead a group that fought putting a dredge transfer site at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp. She also raised concerns about the dredging of Lake Trant that led to state environmental violations and the disciplining of three city employees in 2006.

"That was an eye-opener to city politics," said Shuler, who lives on Lake Trant.

She calls for more staffing in the police and fire departments and more transparency in city government. "A lot of projects being planned are not fully explained," she said.

Allen and Shuler have filed for bankruptcy. Allen filed in 1990 and 1997. She said an emergency operation and money she gave family members that wasn't repaid were the reasons.

"It's one of those things you learn from, and... it has caused me to be much stronger."

Shuler said her bankruptcy in 1998 happened after her ex-husband left her with debts.

Shuler complained about Wilson's contributors.

"They're basically a lot of large companies and economic development interests," she said. "I think there's going to be some favors owed, and I don't want to be a part of that."

Real estate and construction interests have contributed $33,200 to Wilson's campaign, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, a nonprofit that tracks contributions.

"I don't think I'm going to risk my reputation for a $500 check," said Wilson, 58, a real estate agent and former school board member who grew up in Virginia Beach. "People like what I do and want to support me."

Old Dominion University graduate teaching assistant Keith Strausbaugh is campaigning with a Web site and $100 in bumper stickers.

"Yes, I'm a long shot, but it's an amazing learning experience," said the 23-year-old Kellam High School graduate.

Lawrence Teator, 69, a retired businessman, who like Strausbaugh didn't seek campaign contributions, is running on general campaign themes.

"Everybody wants the same thing," said Teator, a four-year resident of Virginia Beach. "We all want better schools, roads and way of life. What I stand for is... sound fiscal policy and programs."

Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com