The Virginian-Pilot
©
PORTSMOUTH
Mayor James Holley, the politician whose name has been synonymous with Portsmouth for decades, will learn this week if voters will remove him from office at the age of 83 or keep him to serve out his term.
Precincts will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Absentee voting has been going for weeks, with a little more than 200 ballots cast in person as of Friday afternoon. The registrar also has e-mailed or mailed about 300 more.
Early voting appeared to be heavier in areas where Holley lost when he was challenged for re-election two years ago. A list of people who voted absentee or were sent a ballot as of July 2 showed that of the nine most active precincts, seven sided in 2008 with challenger Martha Ann Creecy, who lost by about 200 votes.
This is the second recall election of Holley's career. He was voted out in 1987, elected again in 1996 and has won re-election three times since.
Residents began circulating petitions last year to force the recall question. In May, after eight months of work, two organizers submitted about 8,500 names. More than 1,300 were thrown out because they were unidentifiable, came from unregistered voters or were duplicates, but that still left enough names to meet the threshold spelled out in the city charter.
They needed enough signatures to match 30 percent of the voters who turned out for the most recent gubernatorial election. That meant 6,669 names.
The recall effort began after a former aide said Holley was verbally abusive and made her do his personal tasks on city time. Recall advocates also contend Holley is no longer able to competently lead the city.
Supporters have rallied behind the mayor. They point to his legacy as a local civil rights trailblazer, his devotion to the city and his work on behalf of businesses as reasons to keep him.
No one submitted signatures to get on the recall ballot as a candidate. If Holley is voted out, the City Council will appoint a successor to serve until a special election, likely in November.
Dave Forster, (757) 446-2627, dave.forster@pilotonline.com
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Recall Election
In the words of the most-hated Mayor in the US of A, Dr. James Holley III, "A recall election is just another election. You win some, you lose some."
He'll surely lose because of the hatred we have voiced against him. I got my "Yes" robocall today. Thanks for encouraging me to get Dr. Holley out of the hate bull's eye. Vote "Yes."
Loved the "extreme makeover" of the Personal Assistant on TV today.
Mayor Holley & the recall election
Mayor Holley has served Portsmouth the past few years and for that service, work and dedication I thank him.
Now the recall election gives the citizens in Portsmouth a chance to quietly let him fade into the sunset --- if the voters say no then what happens good, bad or indifferent the city must live with for 2 more years and I honestly don't see how we could put up with any more of his "leadership". To honor the Mayor vote Yes and let him retire the way he choice by recall election.
Mayor Holley & the recall election
Mayor Holley has served Portsmouth the past few years and for that service, work and dedication I thank him.
Now the recall election gives the citizens in Portsmouth a chance to quietly let him fade into the sunset --- if the voters say no then what happens good, bad or indifferent the city must live with for 2 more years and I honestly don't see how we could put up with any more of his "leadership". To honor the Mayor vote Yes and let him retire the way he choice by recall election.
goodbye and good riddance
Your time has come Mr holley and hopefully someone will look into you running your mouth off about your little escapades with our money! you are no more than a glorified bernie madoff! Except you sir are still skirting by the law!
Holley
Well, I watched the whole interview that Andy Fox had with Holley,with was
30 minutes long. It was very informative, and reinforced my decision to vote YES on Tuesday. Holley had slurred speech,and admitted to doing what his ex-assistant said he did because it was part of his "persona". The job that she was doing,should have been done by him or his wife,not by a City Employee on City time. Canceling Playboy subscriptions, tummy supports, and "turkey neck cream", was not part of the assistant's job duties. When Holley asked Andy Fox whose duties they were, Mr.Fox told him it was his duty to take care of personal items, to which Holley replied
" I have never done it before". The interview proved to me he is not capable of running this City, and had made us the joke of Hampton Roads.
Please, those of you who live in Portsmouth,vote YES on Tuesday and show the rest of Hampton Roads that we will not stand for bad behavior or incompetent politicians.
Dear Lord....
I pray that the voters of Portsmouth come out on Tuesday and VOTE TO RECALL the so-called Mayor. I am tired of the embarrassment he has (and still does)created for an already challenged city. The citizens of Portsmouth need some sane and tactful representation. Amen.
Get back!!!
I "recall", while working security @ Intelos Pavillion at a Kenny G concert, a fellow bouncer had to "stiff arm" Holley to keep him from grabbing "Mr. G". His reply?......"but I'm the Mayor of Portsmouth!".....while wearing his yellow suit complete w/ ruffled shirt.
Citizens of Portsmouth - Take Back Your City!
How this could go on for as long as it has
is a travesty of justice to every citizen of Portsmouth.
Redeem, reclaim and re-establish sound leadership to your town-
the time is NOW.
USPS owns your Mailbox!
"No part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle.
A flyer cannot be placed in a mailbox after putting a stamp on it unless the item was actually mailed. According to Sect. 508.3.1.3 of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM):"
The Post Master WILL call you with a warning....but then it's a bit too late, since the mission was accomplished?
Voter Literature in my mailbox this am (Monday)
Holley apparently follows his own interpretation of the law. This morning we found pro-Holley voter materials IN our mailbox. As most know, this is highly illegal and is basic campaigning rule 101. The material is paid for by "Mayor James W. Holley, III" and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Steering Committee".
That also leads to an interesting comment. Does the MLK family know their name is being used on a political action committee? And, the president of that committee is no less than the HUSBAND of the city's registrar? AND a key member of the city's electoral board is also on that committee.
Holley's actions and machines smell more and more in Portsmouth. The sooner we can get rid of him and his appointees, the better.