VIRGINIA BEACH
How important is the African American vote in this year's local elections?
Consider this: Louisa Strayhorn, the last African American to serve on City Council nearly a decade ago, is being courted by both Mayor Meyera Oberndorf and challenger Will Sessoms.
With local elections moving to November for the first time, and Democrat Barack Obama making a historic run as the first black presidential nominee, campaigns are gearing up for a higher than normal turnout among African Americans.
Both candidates have hired consultants to help them wo o black voters. They, along with mayoral candidates John Moss and Scott Taylor, are making frequent visits to black churches and community events.
In advertisements and forums, the candidates are addressing issues such as minority hiring, contracting and community policing.
"This is the most effort I've seen," said Strayhorn, who is supporting Oberndorf. "This is quite a different race than in the past."
According to the 2005 census, 19 percent of Virginia Beach's population is black. But in past local elections in May, when citywide voter turnout was typically low, blacks tended to be underrepresented, Strayhorn said.
There's no data on how many African Americans vote each year, but in precincts such as Reon, Baker, and Davis Corner that are in predominantly black neighborhoods, turnout ranged from 4.4 percent to 14.4 percent in 2004. About 17 percent of the 248,782 registered voters citywide cast ballots that year.
The City Council's decision to move the local elections to November, coupled with Obama's appeal, has boosted the clout of black voters and the candidates know it, said Bruce Williams, an Obama supporter and consultant for Sessoms.
"There is an alignment of everything in November," Williams said.
After Obama accepted the Democratic nomination for president, Oberndorf ran radio spots that praised his achievement and plugged her own as the first woman elected to public office in Virginia Beach.
In the radio ads, handouts and interviews, Oberndorf said under her leadership the city has hired three African American department directors, is trying to aggressively recruit black businesses and provided money to help with a recreation program in the Lake Edward neighborhood this past summer.
"I wanted them to know that this is an inclusive community, not an exclusive community," Oberndorf said.
Oberndorf is trying to rally her base, said Virginia Beach Treasurer John Atkinson, a Republican who is supporting Sessoms.
"She's going to where she thinks she's got the votes," Atkinson said. "She has to seek that vote because there may not be other large votes she can go after."
Officials with Sessoms' campaign accuse Oberndorf of injecting partisan politics into the non partisan City Council election by linking her campaign with Obama's.
Two of the three African American department directors were hired in the past two years, Sessoms said.
"I think it's important for the city government to reflect our city," he said. "I think it's funny, the timing. She's been there for 32 years, and it took her the last two years to push that through?"
Sessoms, a bank president who was on the City Council from 1988 to 2002, said he would support partnerships between the city and churches to improve neglected neighborhoods. Sessoms also promises to include more minority contractors in the city's development projects if he is elected.
Moss said he ran with John Perry, the first African American City Council member, and has urged the city to spend more money on public safety.
His message to all communities is the same: "Their neighborhoods have been neglected, too," Moss said.
Taylor said his campaign doesn't have the money to hire consultants but he has spoken to African American and other minority communities, such as Latinos and Filipinos, about their needs.
Oberndorf defended her credentials and history with the African American community.
"If they're trying to insinuate that I've just recently discovered folks of color, that's not true," Oberndorf said.
Prescott Sherrod, a member of the city's minority business council, said he is pleased, but not surprised, that all of the candidates are paying more attention to the concerns of African Americans.
"You have to pay very close attention to the needs of the population," Sherrod said.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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Black vote
Is it just me, or does the Pilot have an overwhelming amount of "racial" articles? Why are we still making distinctions based on people's race? I also have no idea why anyone would be concerned with Ms. Strayhorn at this point politically speaking. She lived right across the court from my parents when I was growing up and she and Dr. Strayhorn were really nice people but her time has long since passed and the issues surrounding the African-Americans that I know are the same as anyone else, therefore, how they'd vote has nothing to do with the color of their skin.
"Vote them all out!" Anyone
"Vote them all out!"
Anyone who groups the thoguhts of this many council members as being wrong has a flaw in their thought process. They never think that the people who are willing to replace them will be the ones you are shouting at next. After a while, no one will want to represent you...unless an ulterior motive appears.
Think about it. A bank president for mayor? Why not just elect Lowell Stanley?
rayt31299
Sorry, but local police officers don't have the authority to enforce federal law...but nice try.
Illegals?
So hwatkins, local police should not enforce federal violations such as drug trafficking or fraud, or any laws that don't apply to them. Wrong! We all have to support the Feds on anything that violates our National Security, and public safety. I just happen to believe that illegals cause economic troubles and ultimately kill or maim our citizens. And they do it every day (today in Denver an Illegal with no license hit a SUV and injured and entire family). The Feds can't do it all, we all need to support one another and not bury our heads in the sand, like the local officials in Virginia Beach have done in the current administration. Vote them all out!
Illegal Immigrants?
In my opinion, that is what we pay our FEDERAL tax dollars for. We should not have to pay LOCAL or STATE tax dollars to enforce federal laws. We have enough needs in the city not to have to do the federal government's work.
What next...will they want us to pony up local tax dollars every time a Navy fighter jet needs repair?
Enough is enough...we need to hold our federal elected officials and candidates responsible. They are the ones who can fully fund immigration enforcement and choose not to.
By the way, Bill O'Reilly calling VB a sanctuary city is not really a credible source. And I saw our mayor on TV specifically denying it and saying that sanctuary cities were illegal.
Where is the common sense?
"folks of color"? Are we in 1955? She must have made this comment prior to hiring the advisor. Isn't this stuff common sense? Who hires someone to tell them how to relate to the people they want to lead? Come November 5, if elected, I'm sure the "advisors" would no longer have a job and the skills they taught to better relate to the minorities would be forgotten. Better yet, vote for someone who doesn't need to hire someone to be taught how to relate to all people. Put someone in office who's interest is in all citizens, without having to be reminded that they count too. SCOTT TAYLOR 2008!
Wow
VB's leader must have NATURAL ability to relate to and empathize with all residents. Can that really be taught or learned? Taylor has passion and vision for all people of VB and it shows through his methods of campaigning: Grassroots - listening to and validating the concerns of ALL citizens, regardless of creed or nationality. "Minorities" have lined up to VOLUNTEER for his campaign.
I wonder if these so-called "advisors" were hired before or after Sessoms $450/plate fundraiser/dinner. Did he need an advisor to point out that kind of event doesn't exactly appeal to the minorities?
It's been Taylor, all along, who has emphasized the importance of collaboration between non-profits, faith base orgs and civic leagues. Taylor's mantra has always been developing an INCLUSIVE govn't and eliminating the exclusivity that currently exists. Good ideas, huh? I guess Sessoms thinks so too.
How about the illegals?
Ever since Fox news uncovered that the Mayor and City council support a Sanctuary City policy on illegal immigrants, I don’t, for the like of me, see how any of them can be re-elected. Incumbents and anyone supporting them should not be voted in. Someday, the Federal Government will take away funding for the City if we don't change the policy of looking the other way at day laborers, landscaping companies, the hotel industry, cable layers, construction, and the restaurant business that harbor illegals. Enough is enough. The Mayor and Council will make no statements in public or private to support deporting the illegal population nor will they do anything about it. There will be more deaths, and suffering in the hands of drunk and criminal illegal gangs in this and surrounding Cities. We made national news over this, but it’s still so “hush hush”… Don’t vote them back in!
Frankly I dont care too much
Frankly I dont care too much who it is but it is time for Meyra to retire.
Not hard
Anyone want a bank president as mayor?
Qualified?
I still can't see why we are looking at numbers & race instead of qualifcations. Obama is running for President, and is not qualified for that job based on lack of experience. I guess someone is looking to insert a race or number at one of the most important positions in America instead of a more qualified person. The mayoral election should 1st vote for most qualified to do the job. Remember; Bill Ayers, Rev. Wright, Lewis Farrakhan, Tony Rizco, Franklin Raines and Jim Johnson. So why is the mayoral election concerned about apeased.
very real possibility
Sessoms could actually come in 3rd place...I hear nothing positive about him at all.
Mayoral Race
I think it's time for Virginia Beach Queen Oberndorf to step aside. I think it's time for Moss to stop diluting the votes. I think it's time for Sessoms to be crowned as Mayor of Virginia Beach.....That's what I think!
with all due respect
Mr. Atkinson are all of those delinquint taxes collected? Only a concerned taxpayer here, that's all.
Taxing
You better remember the way your incumbent and her cronies raised your real estate taxes the last several years to pay for their new paviliaon etc;, or you'll be getting more of the same. Additionally, how do you think a new mayor from the banking industry will enjoy spending your tax dollars. I think our mayoral choice should be John Moss - one person you can pretty well count on to curb over taxing the citizens of our great city of Virginia Beach.
pretty absurd
It is so funny watching where American politics is going. On the one hand, people think they're so tolerant and sophisticated, having evolved past their racial idiosyncracies. On the other hand, they actually are making race, and the color of a person's skin, a huge factor. How many African-Americans did you hire? Oh I hired more than you! But wait what about the other guy - he actually IS African American! OOOOH, well now that gives him some sort of credibility, which, I suppose, comes with the presumption of being a victim, or understanding victimization - all while LOL running for a high political office. It's really hilarious. I wish everyone knew how ridiculous they looked being a part of this. If you're really colorblind... stop making such a huge deal about your color. Because obviously, from reading this publication and the taking a look at the American public, the simple color of one's skin is a very, Very, VERY big deal.
Sessoms Sounds Desperate
And Will Sessoms got HOW MANY African-Americans appointed during his tenure on Council? I wonder how many he has chatted with at the Princess Anne Country Club? I'm sure he has met an African-American some time the last twenty years he would like to appoint to something. Oberndorf's three appointments in two years compared to Sessom's zero appointments in 14 years. Hmmmm . . .
And as far as "injecting party politics" - is that why Will is campaigning with Republican Thelma Drake, and having his signs put next to hers? I guess getting over a half million dollars from developers just doesn't buy what it used to. Now he actually has to campaign and ask the commoners for their votes.
Tough times at the PA Country Club.
Sessoms Minority Record? MINIMUM...
Let's see: How many minorty department heads were hired during his 12 years on City Council? What was the minorty percentage in the Police, Fire and EMS departments during Sessoms 12 years on City Council?
What is Sessoms minority record in his 12 years on City Council and years as Vice Mayor? I'll save you the trouble... MINIMAL... He is going down in flames with all groups in this city! I can't wait to vote.
Mrs Strayhorn should know how Sessoms treats minorities as she was on council during Sessoms years and she is backing Oberndorf. That is all we need to know.
Easy choice: Oberndorf for Mayor in 2008!