The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
City Council elections usually attract few candidates, but not this year for the 1st Ward.
Two Willoughby residents have signaled they are running in the May 4 election, bringing to four the number of candidates vying to replace the retiring Don Williams.
John Hadjikakos, an Ocean View real estate developer who said his priorities would be to redevelop Wards Corner and Willoughby, has announced he will run.
Norma Dorey, who owns three Ghent businesses and was former head of the Ghent Business Association, said she probably will announce her candidacy next week. She has been encouraged to run by Mayor Paul Fraim and Councilman Barclay C. Winn.
Former Norfolk police Officer Chuck Brewer is expected to announce he will run later this month.
Paul Trice, an Ocean View artist known as the Red Rooster, previously announced he will run.
Hadjikakos, who runs Boardwalk Realty and Development in Ocean View, emphasized his experience as a businessman. He is a graduate of First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach and a 1980 graduate of Old Dominion University. He has been investing in real estate in Ocean View since 1988.
"I've been balancing budgets and making payrolls since I was 28," he said. "The city is going to have declining revenues for the foreseeable future." He said neighborhood redevelopment, flooding in Willoughby and Ocean View, and reducing the costs of city government will be his priorities.
Dorey also touted her business background. She is on the Economic Development Authority and the board of TowneBank and was honored by the Chamber of Commerce as the city's top small businessperson in 2000. Her three businesses - Changes hair cutting, Jake's Place and City Spa - employ 90 people.
She said public safety, education and flooding in Willoughby will be major issues in her campaign.
"I'm not a politician," she said. "I'm a businesswoman. I know how to balance a budget and know how to make a payroll. I feel like that's my strength."
Candidates have until early March to file. Six of eight council seats will be up for grabs.
Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
Where do they live
I am familiar with all the candidates mentioned in this article and I don't believe ALL of them reside in the City of Norfolk. I also note that Harry Minium does not mention that any of the candidates reside in Norfolk. The closest he comes is noting that Red Rooster is an Ocean View Artist and Mr. Hadjakakis (sp) is a realtor in Willoughby, but owning rental property or working in the ward does not make you a resident, or make you eligible to run for office.
In the past there have been questions regarding other Council members residences, I hope that the Pilot would clue us in as to where all the candidates reside, where they voted last November, what their driver's license states as their address. where they get their mail, where their kids attend school, all hints as to their residency and dedication to the City of Norfolk.
Too late Mr. Wizard
Anyone giving their political platform that includes a budget is all talk.....budget is in....get with it Mr. Wizard.
Budget talks in May
Terms are four years.
Nice try.
conflict of interest?
A developer whose priorities as a politician are to develop.
No red flags there,,,,,,,,,,, nosiree!
Time tested ,Established Leaders
Whoever this Mr. Wizard is, you can be sure he is a Cronie, or one of the persons running for City Council that he is not Bashing here.
I believe all true citizens who are living in the district that the voting is taking place will take the time to review the records of who has led responsible buisinesses and kept budgets balanced and employees paid through the good and the bad times which we are going through now.
I would also not take anything that is printed as being fact, or his Cronie Mentality to attempt to destroy any Candidate othe than his own.
It is sad that the Pilot lets these anxiety driven people post constantly here. He will probably change his name and account and repost as someone else now. Just watch for persons who can't stop giving you thier opinions, they don't realise you have your own.
I can only speak of what I know, and Norma Dorey, and Norma Dorey has
an unbeatable track record of running successful projects, whether they be fund raisers, as can be proven by the Hop House projects she has sponsered and many others.
I vote for the person who gives Hope, and has provided Charity, (Love)
even in the midst of runnin her several volunteer proj
Mr Wizard....
...you could not have laid it out ANY better!!!...I too will go against anyone who is supported by current council!!!...does Downtown really need a NEW voice???...quality of life for the residents...schools...and the often neglected Wards Corner!!!
Non politician gets my vote.
A successful business woman not a career politician. Someone who holds people accountable and has turned a profit not a deficit, made the correct choices and built from the ground up. Hmmm not a hard choice for me.
John Hadjikakos Ocean View real estate developer
John has been a generous supporter of these local politicians:
$1,000 McAuliffe for Governor - Terry
$750 Hilbert for Richmond City Council - Christopher
$500 Wright for Norfolk City Council - Randy
$500 Sessoms for Mayor of Virginia Beach - William
That's according to vpap.org.
John also had a business fine back a few years
His disciplinary action by the Virginia Real Estate Board way back in 2004:
2004-02743 John K. Hadjikakos 18 VAC 135-20-300 misrepresentation/Omission Fined $500
Source: VPOC of Virginia.
The ward one candidates
"Norma Dorey, who owns three Ghent businesses...She has been encouraged to run by Mayor Paul Fraim and Councilman Barclay C. Winn"
KISS OF DEATH. Anyone who is supported by those downtown on city council will NEVER have my vote. That's you Norma. In fact, I will actively support ANYONE else. As you say, you are not a politician and this proves it.
The others are saying nebulous things. (Flooding in Willoughby, Redevelopment in Wards Corner, I can add and subtract)
I want SPECIFIC details to those issues. Here are the main ones all of have missed:
1. The Budget. NONE is talking about the spending and our debt. It's #1.
2. Public safety. More cops on the beat and better training.
3. Quality of life. Schools, Arts, etc.
4. Your pet project in Ward One
At least there are real choices this time around, except for Norma, the mayor's mouthpiece.
Let the campaign begin!