The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Calling for more transparency in government and for city leaders to get serious about redeveloping Wards Corner, Barbara Saunders announced Thursday that she will run for the Ward 1 City Council seat being vacated by the retiring Don Williams.
Saunders ran against Williams in 2002 and 2006, garnering about 43 percent of the vote in both elections.
A Norfolk native and Willoughby resident, Saunders served four years on the city's housing authority board and is the president of Saunders Painting in Ocean View.
She is the fourth candidate to announce intentions to run in Ward 1, joining Norfolk attorney Andy Protogyrou, former policeman Chuck Brewer and Paul Trice, an artist known as the Red Rooster. All have made improving Wards Corner a top campaign issue.
Once a thriving retail hub at Granby Street and Little Creek Road, the area's commercial area is rundown. Civic leaders say the deterioration occurred because of crime.
"Wards Corner has been an absolute mess for the last eight years," Saunders said. "And nothing has happened to make it better. The city needs to make a real commitment to Wards Corner."
Saunders also said city officials should have known about $108 million in light-rail cost overruns.
"I have a hard time believing that nobody knew about it," she said.
Saunders criticized the way the council does business, saying it holds too many meetings behind closed doors and debates contentious matters during informal sessions, which are not televised and are attended by few residents.
"The council should not be afraid to debate in public," she said.
So far, 15 candidates have announced they will run for five council seats and mayor. Council members Theresa Whibley and Anthony L. Burfoot, the vice mayor, so far have no announced opponents.
Brewer kicks off his campaign at 9 a.m. Saturday with a town hall meeting at the Banque restaurant, at 1849 E. Little Creek Road.
Councilman Paul R. Riddick, the incumbent in Ward 4, will hold a campaign event at 10 a.m. Saturday in Suite 101 of the Willis Broadcasting Building, at 645 Church St.
Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com
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WHATEVER
Whatever Ward that Wards Corner business or residence areas are in....they need help not talk..ACTION
wards corner
The owners of the shopping center on the northeast corner of wards corner, where the vacant space that once housed peoples drug store can be found, are partly to blame. They have failed to remodel, failed to keep pace with updates that other centers have found necessary to maintain traffic. That center is an eyesore that has spread its contagious disease of run-down-itis throughout the neighborhood. Sell the center or tear it down and rebuild it. Try and lure Harris-Teeter there to compete with Kroger and Farm Funk. Or if you want to perpetuate the inevitable, rent out the peoples space to a blood/sperm bank, or giant check cashing facility, or better yet, just let it rot some more.
Who is...
running against that racist Riddick?
They'll definitely have my vote!
Ward 1
Clueless voters is what need less of. Even though Wards Corner isn't in Ward 1, we elect people to serve on the Norfolk City Council. Wards Corner is in Norfolk and what happens there affects the tax base in all of the city, including Ocean View.
Clueless voters is what need less of
Please don't be one.
I want to know what happens and what the plans are for WARD ONE HOMEOWNERS, not for some private businessmen in ward two.
Here is what ALL candidates should focus on:
1. Budget. Not one person running anywhere in Norfolk has mentioned the spending. Not one. That includes the phony tax assessments.
2. Police. We have a gang problem in this city and it needs to be addressed.
3. Slums and slumlords. These breed #2 and lower the quality of life for all.
4. Your pet project in WARD ONE, not ward two.
5. Transparency. You can't have accountability unless you have transparency. Barbara is right on that one, and she owns that issue.
As long as Fraim et. al. are in charge... NONE of these dangerous and festering problems will be addressed. Barbara is a very personable and a breath of fresh air, for once.
Barbara and ward one candidates...
"Calling for more transparency in government and for the city to get serious about redeveloping Wards Corner, Barbara Saunders"
I like the transparency part. How refreshing. I like to hear specifics.
I don't know why she and Andy P. are talking about Wards Corner.
WARDS CORNER IS NOT IN WARD ONE!
It's in Ward Two which is Dr. Whibley's ward. How about focusing on the ward you're running in Barbara and Andy and that's Ward One.
Clueless candidates are not what we need in Norfolk. This is a bad sign.
Almost Right
Is still wrong, Ward's Corner is in ward 1. The Ward's Corner Business Association is in wards 1 and 2.
Wrong
The Ward maps show Granby street as the dividing line. Enlighten yourself:
http://gis.norfolk.gov/Map_Photo_Gallery/Map_Gallery/
I'm not talking about PRIVATE organizations. I'm talking about the public legal wards.
Are people in my ward really that dense?
Nice try.
Saunders
Met her years ago regarding a business deal. Always remembered her as honest, forthright, and with high standards. She certainly would stand out from the current group of pretenders.
Perhaps it is a sign . . .
. . . perhaps the large number of contenders for city council seats is an indication that there is a bit of dissatisfaction in the performance of those currently seated. I am still hoping that someone viable goes for Dr. Whibley's council seat.