The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Councilwoman Daun S. Hester kicked off her campaign for mayor on Saturday by taking indirect swipes at Mayor Paul Fraim and the way he has managed the City Council.
Saying the council has "lost its purpose," she implied that wards represented by politically favored council members garner more funding than others, that too much city business is conducted behind closed doors, and that some council members hold grudges against those who voice dissent.
"I am breaking free of that suffocating culture," she said to a cheering audience of about 250 at the Holiday Inn Express. "I have decided the best way to change that culture... is to change the culture of the City Council. That means changing the leader of the council."
Hester, who has been on the council since 1996, has been most active in issues involving education, children and neighborhoods. If her campaign succeeds, she would become the city's first African American mayor.
Fraim has been on the council since 1986 and has been mayor since 1994. He has led efforts to revitalize downtown, played an active role in courting economic development, and serves on many regional boards.
Hester acknowledges Fraim will have a huge advantage in campaign cash and endorsements. The other six council members have endorsed Fraim, as have most of the constitutional officers and state delegates and senators. No elected officials attended Hester's campaign kickoff.
"The only support I need is the support of the people," she said.
Fraim said it "sounds like she's running against the entire city government that she's been a part of for 16 years. It's undeniable the city has made a great deal of progress the last several years. I intend to run on a platform of results. This has happened because a lot of people have worked hard to make the city a better place, and no one has worked harder than me."
Hester called for "more transparency" in city government and wants all council meetings, including the informal work sessions where decisions on key issues are made, to be televised. Norfolk televises two formal sessions per month and none of the informal sessions. Virginia Beach televises all council meetings, formal and informal.
She told WVEC-TV that the closing of Waterside's Bar Norfolk and Have a Nice Day Cafe last year by the city smacked of "Gestapo tactics" and is typical of the way the council does too much business – behind closed doors.
"There should have been a better solution so we didn't lose all" of the tax revenue from the businesses, she said.
"There should have been better communication. We do too much telling people what to do rather than listening to them."
Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com
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Citizens Rights ?
"There should have been a better solution so we didn't lose all" of the tax revenue from the businesses, she said." was her quote . In this time of an ever growing Gov poisining the Business climate with tax and regulation after tax and regulation one atop another it sure would of been nice to hear the Good Councilwoman mention that she wanted a more open Process to be fair to the Business person and to get more tax revenue. But I guess we see where Liberals have their heads. I assmume she is based on her color. I am black to by the way so I guess me and Harry Reid can say that Lol. I am new to the local political scene but I am probaly right based on her statements . Shes a Money grabbing Lib :)
Ms Hester
to George S: kind of touchy about the "race" card are you? Well,I wasn't thinking about race when I made my comment. You read something into my comment which I don't appreciate. I say what I mean,and I am not "politically correct". The comment she made about the taxes to a taxpaying citizen, was not something a public official should be making.
it's time for new blood on council,and she ain't new blood. The citizens should be looking to replace council as they come up for re-election.
To ProudNative: Thank You for your comments, you are indeed a gentleman.
"The female answer to Paul Riddick"
I was referring to you playing the sex card. You must have race on the brain.
Thanks
Thank you. I just calls them like I sees them.
She knows that It's Time
Daun has been on the same council that has created many of these issues. YES. Lets look at her votes or voice. She has, on man occasions, sided with the people & stood up to our current mayor and his band of bullies. And Daun Hester has ALWAYS been accessible to her people & been a real voice for Superward 7! That being said, no one in public office will always have the answer you want. However - Daun at least listens, reasons, and brings it to council. Unfortunately the current system that she tried to do good in would not listen.
If you own a business in Norfolk, aren't you afraid your doors will be locked next? That your building will be condemned for a new Library as well? That is what Fraim's rag tag group of thugs "sponsored by town bank" will do to you if they feel the need. Daun wants those matters brought public so the people can be heard, not done at 1am by a group of power hungry good 'ol boys.
It's TIME for change and with her experience I think Daun will be great. And I also (even though they seem opposed) think Tommy would complement her as a Vice Mayor. They should run together as a package & seal the deal.
The whole Norfolk City govt
The whole Norfolk City govt is corrupt. Fire them all and start all over. Everyone is money hungry and self righteous.Its beginning to look like one of those "lesser of two evils" things. Id like to thank the council for trying to revitalize downtown at the expense of the communities who needed it. So many snakes lying in the grass..
Randy Wright for Mayor!!!
Councilman Randy Wright should run for Mayor of the City of Norfolk.
I've got another candidate!
Doctor James Holley should also run for Mayor of Norfolk. This WILL be his last term as Mayor of P-Town, one way or another! He'll bring with him decades of Mayoral experience, and I'm sure he'll get along great with Paul Riddick! Norfolk could have a win-win election!
follow the money
Fraim, "Champagne" Sessoms, Mike "Light Rail" Barrett,Billy Harrison, Andrew Fine, et al. All hoping to cash in on the billion dollar boondogle known as Light Rail. All either employed by or board members of TOWNE BANK. Goldman Sachs is known as the giant vampire squid that helped to bankrupt our country. Looks like the local boys are trying to bankrupt the taxpayer and get into the big league with GS.
Norfolk has a murder rate of more than twice the natl average and a larceny/theft rate of 1.5 the natl avg. The false promises employed by Fraim and Wright about what Light Rail would do for Norfolk are now becoming a giant noose around the taxpayers neck. Heckuva job Fraim.
Light Rail Equals Heavy Taxes.
None of the above
If I lived in Norfolk, I would write in Wile E. Coyote.