The Virginian-Pilot
©
PORTSMOUTH
Incumbent Sheriff W. O. "Bill" Watson won a second term Tuesday by an almost two-to-one margin over independent challenger David Lee Cherry Sr., according to unofficial vote totals from the city.
Watson, 61, is a first-term incumbent who has worked as a police officer and sheriff's deputy here and in other localities. He handily won a Democratic primary in June over a decorated city police detective.
He touted past campaign promises he has kept, particularly those about providing services for older residents, helping inmates successfully re-enter society, and saving the city money by using volunteer inmate work crews.
Cherry, 47, runs a family carpet business in Norfolk and has volunteered several years as an auxiliary sheriff's deputy and police officer in Portsmouth. He called for, among other things, expanding an existing Community Enforcement Unit into more visible neighborhood patrols.
Matthew Bowers, (757) 222-3893, matthew.bowers@pilotonline.com
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I
know that I am but a simple civilian but, I noticed today as I drove around Portsmouth, 3 PD cars sitting at 3 seperate 7-11's and a SD car pulling a speeder over while, a little farther down the road, a SD motorcycle also had a speeder. I asked myself," why is it the PD is busy drinking coffee and gossiping at the 7-11 while SD is doing the job they are paid to do?" The answer? Because Sheriff Watson not only asks that the job be done, he enforces his rules fairly and efficiently. I have never heard Sheriff Watson make an idle threat or lie and call it a promise. I know that some of you are testy because your lies didn't work and your candidate didn't win but a lot more of us are grateful. Congratulations, Sheriff Watson
So what do you really know??
Well unsworn I would like to comment on your previous comment. I'm not that big into Bill Watson, as a human being he is a pretty good guy. As a sheriff well I think we could do better. Now you were saying you drove around and observed 3 PD cars parked at 3 separate 7-11's. Well did you think about why they were there? Maybe they need a break or maybe they just need to eat something. Did you know that a uniform patrol officer eats at a 7-11 two to three times a week. Did you know that when an officer parks his car at a 7-11 they reduce crime there? Ohh if you ever check the public site did you know that the 7-11's in Portsmouth are rarely robbed. I'm sure if you had a relative working there or even yourself you might want a PD officer there when those crim looking individuals walk in and purchase something.... Ohh and by the way the SD motors well thats there job; traffic enforcement...they could not even work your accident even if you called them or perhaps your burglary...Next time lay off the PD guys because they are appreciated and they are our HEROS...GO PORTSMOUTH PD....
Experience won.
I don't believe Cherry had the experience to fill that office. Watson does. Some folks do not like Watson because of the way he conducts himself. Ask yourself, if you had to work with the buffoons in City management every day, what would you do. To me he tells it like it is and a lot of people don't like it or don't believe it.
I strongly disagree....
I strongly disagree. In fact, I was feeling pretty lousy yesterday but dragged myself to the polls to vote for Bill Watson. Many don't like the Sheriff because of the unconventional manner in which he does business. I MUCH prefer a Sheriff who takes the issue by the...ummm...reins...and gets things done. He is a man who walks his talk. He's put my neighborhood back on the map and has made it more visible to the rest of the city (which would be happy if we just went away).
By the percentages with which he won, it's obvious I'm not alone in my opinion.
Congratulations, Sheriff Watson. I maintain my earlier statements, after you were elected in the previous election; I felt the calvry had come to town. Thank you for ensuring my safety and for you & your deputies' continued visibility in Cradock.
This man
is in the same category as Mayor Holley...an embarrassment to the city. Well Portsmouth, you'll have to live with this mistake for another four years!
Congratulations
to the Sheriff. The best man won, thank goodness.
I for one am very glad that
I for one am very glad that Bill Watson is the sheriff. He is a no nonsense kind of guy and if he says he will do something, you can consider it done! Go Bill!
Watson will continue to hold PORTSMOUTH hostage
Watson won, but with the smallest percent of the vote of any incumbent sheriff in Hampton Roads. While he accomplishes some tasks that the police are unable or unwilling to do, his attitude is horrible. All one has to do is listen to him talk before City Council about his ME, ME, ME, and I,I,I, statements telling the City that if the City doesnt give him more money, he wont do this or that. Bill Watson, almost 40 percent of the people who live in Portsmouth do not like your job performance and attitude. Why don't you try to improve on this during your next term. Congratulations!
All I can do is.........
say - oh wellllllllll . . . . . it's gonna be a long four years,