The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
Individual business leaders may be pumping money into Will Sessoms' run for mayor, but the local division of the Chamber of Commerce is calling this race a toss-up.
The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce endorsed both Sessoms, a bank president and former vice mayor, and five-term incumbent Meyera Oberndorf.
Former council member John Moss and former Navy SEAL Scott Taylor are also running for mayor.
Ira Agricola, director of the Chamber's Virginia Beach division, said a dual endorsement is unusual and came after vigorous debate.
The decision was based on responses to interview questions about economic development, transportation, business taxes, and the work of City Manager Jim Spore, Agricola said.
Oberndorf and Sessoms gave similar, pro-business stands.
"You could put a credit card between their answers," Agricola said.
When Sessoms was on City Council, he and Oberndorf had similar records of supporting private-public partnerships and Oceanfront redevelopment, Agricola said.
Sessoms' work as a bank president was an advantage for him, Agricola said.
Both Sessoms and Oberndorf said they were pleased with the endorsement.
Oberndorf said she's been a constant friend to the Chamber, backing its celebrations for the troops and its efforts to quash proposals to create different tax rates for business properties and homes.
"I've always been a person, when I give my word, to grassroots or business, I keep my word," Oberndorf said.
Sessoms has raised a record $529,167, much of it coming from developers and others in the business community. His campaign manager said those folks will vote for Sessoms.
"You've got a lot of hedges right now," said Dave Iwans, who is running Sessoms' campaign. " A lot of people everywhere are wondering if it's possible to beat Meyera Oberndorf."
Agricola balked at the suggestion that the Chamber hedged its bets.
"We're subject to that criticism, but the facts don't bear it out," Agricola said.
The Chamber endorsed Councilman Bob Dyer for the Centerville district seat, Councilman Harry Diezel for Kempsville, Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson for at-large and challenger Glenn Davis for Rose Hall.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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No Sessoms
Sessoms should resign from TowneBank if he wants to be Mayor. Otherwise, i see a conflict of interest and will certainly not vote for him. He seems to be a decent man but President of TowneBank . Who are we kidding?
Of course!
Of course Sessoms is endorsed. People/business are afraid of losing their loans with Towne Bank if they don't publicly support him. I wonder how much of the $500k it took to buy this endorsement.
The Chamber in Va Beach
... very dark and ans scarey place...who knows what breeds there?
come on have a spine
I hate Meyera and it is time for a change!!!! I hope we see one this time.
Devastating Blow to the Sessoms Campaign
Quoted from the article: "You've got a lot of hedges right now," said Dave Iwans, who is running Sessoms' campaign. " A lot of people everywhere are wondering if it's possible to beat Meyera Oberndorf."
So when your own campaign manager publicly doubts you can win with $500,000 in the bank, what does that tell you?
Add that to the business community failing to endorse the supposed "pro-business candidate" it makes it pretty clear that Sessoms is losing ground fast.
Meyera wins this round, Sessoms loses. No change for Taylor and Moss (neither of whom have a chance anyway).
Tough Call
Either endorse one candidate for mayor or none at all. This shows too much conflicting politics in the Chamber. I am disappointed in the lack of leadership shown here.
Virginia Beach Mayoral
What a bunch of spineless fence setters we have in the council. I'll bet they would say the same if Saddam Hussien was running. Well, I must remember this when they have decisive decisions to make about my family's standard of living in this area.....and we can't even vote them out! I'll bet they laugh all the way to the bank at us suckers.
Scary
If this isn't enough to make you want to vote John Moss, I dont' know what is. Even the developers and big business can't make up their mind. But understand this. Either we get more years of tax-em-dorf sticking it to the taxpayer, or sessoms as a developer owned mayor (bought and paid for) that will pave and concrete the rest of VB.
Either way, the taxpayer and citizen will lose. Vote for responsible government. Vote for the taxpayer and citizen voice. Vote John Moss.
???
So much for Chamber leadership and decisiveness. I guess we'll get two votes in that race? I'll Vote for Oberndorf on November 4th.