The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
Regionalism got a boost Monday as the mayors of Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and Norfolk touted the need to work together on economic development, trash disposal and light rail.
"We are absolutely joined at the hip by geography and economy," Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim said. "Every day, it becomes more clear that we will weather this economic downturn together or not at all."
Fraim, along with Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms and Chesapeake Mayor Alan Krasnoff acknowledged during a leadership speaker series at Regent University that their cities are facing reductions in tax revenues and budget shortfalls.
The cities should explore whether they can save money by joining forces on employee health insurance and marketing and promotional efforts, Fraim said.
Some regional efforts are struggling because of lack of oversight, such as the Southeastern Public Service Authority, which is facing a $16 million deficit this year, Krasnoff said.
"But that doesn't mean that we need to throw up our hands," Krasnoff said.
Although SPSA is facing problems, city managers from the region are meeting and discussing ways to rescue the trash authority, Sessoms said.
Sessoms also threw his support behind regional initiatives such as a third bridge-tunnel to the Peninsula - from Norfolk International Terminals to Interstate 664 and parallel to the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel - that Norfolk is pushing.
Norfolk's development of a light-rail line is a project that as a region, "we need to embrace," Sessoms said. Virginia Beach voters rejected light rail in a referendum in 1999. Sessoms is a light-rail supporter and has been working with state and regional officials to put together a $40 million deal to buy a Norfolk Southern right of way, the likely route for light rail.
During the election campaign last year, Sessoms said he backed holding another referendum. He still would support a referendum if the majority of Virginia Beach council members wanted one, Sessoms said. But he said he regrets promising a referendum during the campaign.
"Truthfully, it was a mistake," Sessoms said.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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Shared Resources?
Does this mean I can use any city dump as long as I belong to one in the region? How about taxes? Do I need a city sticker if others dont require it? How about water? A while back Cheasapeake was having problems getting good drinking water, would the other cities be willing to share their supply or give tax money to Cheasapeake? I like the one big city concept with reduced governance but it is more likely to be a bigger government with more made up positions of government. I am willing to listen, do the research and if it benefits the citizens put it to a vote in all cities.
Regionalism?
Did our region shrink? Is Tidewater now made up of only 3 cities? Why were the "leaders" of the other cities not invited? Involved? As I recall VB and norfolk tried to strong-arm the other cities with HRTA and forcing taxation without representation. They lost. So now they exclude cities that make up our region? Instead of getting together, why not speak through one of the multiple politicial groups that do pretend to be regional. MPO, HRPDC, HRCC. If these groups are not the voice of Tidewater, then get rid of them.
Such a joke sessoms is. He only made a promise, knowing full well he was going to break it, to fool voters. Just like his campaign flyer. Check the numbers. sessoms did not recieve an overall majority of the vote, just more votes than any of the other 3 running. Collectively, the other 3 recieved more votes than sessoms did. The majority of voters voted against sessoms.
Conversation must be deeper
Too often necessary change must wait until a crisis forces action. Nevertheless, this conversation among the region's leaders is timely and important. While all change must have a starting point, however modest, real substantive change in the region will not come unless these leaders are willing to take the conversations to new levels. Government exists to deliver certain services to the people such as general governance, education, public safety and public health. These leaders must break the old paradigm of service delivery where each city delivers identical services with their own staffs and overhead. I suggest they look seriously this time at all the opportunities to consolidate and eliminate waste through duplication of effort. This will take real leadership because of the perception that some cities will "win" while others will "lose." In reality, enhanced service delivery will be a win for the region.
I like regionalism. I just
I like regionalism. I just don't want Portsmouth part of that region. Portsmouth, the land of delegates suing themselves, sheriffs getting DUI's, rampant crime, and a large area known as 'the hood.' How would anything be accomplished with Portsmouth having a say?
WOW
Well I'd like to say something postive since others find that to be an impossibility. Sessoms won the election because the majority agree with his stance on the issues and the need for more business in our city to help relieve the residential tax base. Also the "majority" want to see light rail to finally come to fruition. If not, then Sessoms would have lost, seeing that this was a huge stance for him. Regardless, regionalism is a good thing...it means efficiency and less council members debating/arguing for their particular city. We should be one city, committed to the strength and diversity which makes us unique. I'm so glad my vote for Sessoms made a difference, and now we are seeing regionalism at work here in Hampton Roads!
Do your homework before dogging Krasnoff!
Alan Krasnoff is a great leader. He has fought for lower taxes time and time again, he has brought new business/revenue to Chesapeake, he listens to citizens, his decisions are well-thought and independent of financial influences, he kick-started the Jordan Bridge replacement project, and he is a good, spirit-filled man, to name a few. I am pleased to have Alan serve as my mayor. -Bulldog
Regionalism
I have been saying for the longest that we should have one city, called Hampton Roads, Virginia. Put together our resources and funding and we could actually make something great out of this area. The only problem is somebody is going to have to be the Manhattan. And every city wants that role. I can see it now.. "Hampton Roads, VA. Population 1.7 million."
Such a joke
Leaders? Laughable!! All fraim wants is everything in this area named the norfolk something.
All sessoms could care about is what ever any developer tells him to build and to waste tax funds on a silly development train system. Again to support his developers. This puppet mayor of VB is so wishy-washy he can't even remember what he supported during his bogus lying campaign. He will throw his support which ever way brings his bak money, and makes his developers happy.
Referendum or not? What day is it? Gee sessoms, where do you stand today? Make up your mind. Or do you need a developer to tell you what to do? Which campaign promise are you standing on this time? Referendum or not? Which is it? Confused? Don't remember which lie you told when?
To be honest, I have no idea where chesapeake stands, except they are the leader to ensure SPSA does not screw the rest of the cities.
I was very glad to see this
I was very glad to see this type of dialogue. Hopefully the removal of Oberndorf is a big help to us all working together as a region. Not that these guys would go for it, but maybe a regional government is what this area needs. Then we could do away with 5 city councils on the southside alone. Hampton Roads city council would consist of the mayors of each city (or borough) and 3 at large members chosen by a vote of the whole region. The actual "mayor" could rotate for city to city every few years. That would likely result in us all working together instead of against each other. It could also make the region much more efficient by reducing government and increasing efficiency. Thereby saving us all tax money or at least getting more for what we pay. I'd be all for combing at least the Southside cities. It works for NYC. Good job mayors, and good job Regent U for putting this on.
Believe it when I see it
I'll believe that when I see it. The city governments here have a long history of working against each other if anything.