The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
City Councilman Don Williams said Tuesday that he's ending a 24-year career in public life in which he served two terms in the House of Delegates, proposed a plan that led to the city's first elected mayor in nearly a century, and helped lift the region's trash agency through its most difficult crisis.
Williams, 68, said he will not run for re-election in May "because I want to play." He said he and his wife, Rose, will travel and spend time with their grandchildren.
"This is my Christmas present to Rose," he said. "She's had three serious bouts of cancer and a recent case of pneumonia. She's healthy and it's time for us to spend time together."
Williams, a Willoughby resident and developer, began his political career serving a five-year term on the city's environmental commission, followed by seven years on the Planning Commission.
Then came a two-term stint as a Democrat in the House. He was elected to the City Council in 2002.
While on the council, he brokered deals on the Bay Oaks Park controversy and the city's plans for building a $100 million courthouse project in phases.
His most high-profile position was as chair of the Southeastern Public Service Authority, which has been racked with debt and has decided to sell most of its assets. His final SPSA meeting was Monday.
Former police Officer Chuck Brewer is expected to announce that he will run for the Ward 1 seat in January. Real estate agent and Wards Corner activist Louis Eisenberg said recently he probably will run, but only if Williams retires.
Mayor Paul Fraim said there is no anointed heir to Williams, and he expects a crowded field of candidates in May.
Williams announced his decision at Tuesday's City Council meeting.
"You've been a great public servant," Fraim said. "We will be the poorer without you."
Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com
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Good Idea!
Could he get the mayor of Portsmouth to leave too ?? :/
thanks Mr Williams!!!
...now if we can just get the rest of them to leave!!!
Williams
It really is time for all of them to go. Norfolk needs a fresh outlook and no more annointed successors. Maybe the next Ward 1 rep can get that Willoughby project finished that's had the street torn up for years.
A good start
Now if we can get rid of the rest of them and the city manager we might be able to make some progress in this city. That "click" in city hall needs to go.
time to go
anyone, regardless of their effectiveness, should not be in politics for 24 years.
As a frequent fixture at the
As a frequent fixture at the council meetings, I will miss Councilman William's humor and his willingness to get things done no matter what. I hope to have a productive record like his one day. He is doing the right thing, and I hope he enjoys his retirement.
Kudos to Don Williams
Few can appreciate the time and effort Don Williams put in to turn around a very difficult situation, caused by decades of past neglect and short sightedness on the SPSA board. Yet as Chairman, he was able to get others to see beyond their short term gain and appreciate the need to change. He could have simply served his time, yet he chose to be an activist and solve as best he could the long term indebtedness that others had caused with their parochial views. Negotiations were tough and prolonged, yet he stood up for SPSA and for the member communities, and the result is a sale of assets that will serve all of the members well into the future. He has been a distinguished Delegate and a member of City Council, but I have seen his best service at SPSA. I wish him fair winds and following seas in his retirement.
Don Williams
Congrats to Don Williams on a very productive career in public service. He is one of the few elected to both state and local offices. As Norfolk's representative on the SPSA board, and then its chairman, he took bold action to clean up the fiscal mess and put the Authority on track to end in 2018 with all debt repaid. He is a leader and we need more of them.
Councilman Don Williams
Don Williams has been an effective, kind, and gentleman representative for Norfolk, and in particular, Willoughby and Ocean View.
Thanks for your service to the citizens of Norfolk.
Back to Candid Camera?
Maybe Don can resume his photographic avocation now, him and the missus both. Remember when they used to make videos of the working girls on Ocean View Avenue? Professional work. Good watchin'.