The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
Prescott Sherrod received most of his campaign money from business leaders and Mayor Will Sessoms. Dennis Free, the undersherriff, tapped into the law enforcement community for his cash. And several conservative-leaning contributors are backing John Moss, who used to head the city's taxpayer alliance.
According to the campaign reports through the end of September, which were filed earlier this month, the three candidates for Virginia Beach's at-large City Council seat have raised $62,511.
Sherrod, the owner of an information technology consulting firm who was appointed in July by the council to fill the seat until the election, is leading the group with $28,498. Sessoms gave him a $10,000 contribution.
"The mayor is showing some commitment and trust in my capabilities," Sherrod said. But he noted that he has other contributors too.
More than a quarter of Free's $23,460 in contributions came from law enforcement or local government sources, including the Virginia Beach Police Benevolent Association, sheriff's deputies and an in-kind consulting donation from his boss, Sheriff Ken Stolle.
Free said he did ask some deputies to contribute, but they are also his friends.
Requesting money from some deputies was appropriate, Free said, since he isn't responsible for firing or hiring employees. That's the sheriff's job, Free said.
"Honestly, it's their choice," Free said. "I don't play that game of support-me-or-else."
Moss, who lagged with $10,553, received money from the Tidewater Libertarian Party, a Virginia Beach Republican women's group and from Toni Hedrick, a businesswoman who recently ran unsuccessfully for City Council and is helping Moss with his campaign.
Some contributors have given money to all three candidates.
Vice Mayor Louis Jones gave each candidate $500, each under different corporate names.
"I've been equally kind and fair to all of them," Jones said. "I know all of them. I'm just trying to show impartiality."
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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City Council Candidates
This is an interesting race:
Candidate one does not like government, but both him and his wife works for the government,looks like someone is willing to give up one or both paychecks. (reduce the size get rid of me)
One candidate is a businessman,and will support the things that will bring business to the community and broaden the tax base/don't increase taxes just broaden the base.
The third candidate, law and order, understand that some gun control is commonsense. The early americans had a muskett(sp). I believe everybody should own one muskett and we could reduce crime because we would not have the automatic weapons. The police and military should have all other guns. (fulfill right to bear arms)
Dicide and conquer
Sadly what will probably happen is that Sessoms puppet will be elected by default by splitting the vote of those against big government and handing over our city to developers.
It is sad that we ultimately end up with representation by a candidate that more than likely will gain less than a majority of votes. But that's the way it is.
Character
Has DeSteph picked out what he will wear for Halloween yet? Hard to beat a Genie costume for big laughs.
He probably has. He's
He probably has. He's dressing up as a light rail train. This will put the scare as well as a deficit in VB citizens check books.
Vote Dennis Free
For those who want change in Virginia Beach, the surest way to get it is to vote for Dennis Free on November 8. It would be a shot across the incumbents' bows prior to next year's Council, where 5 seats are up (including the Mayor's). Free has a proven track record at the Sherrif's Office of getting a better bang for the buck, and could then extend it throughout the City government.
John Moss' only chance is if turnout is under 20%. Even if Satan intervened and Moss won, status quoers would write it off as an anamoly and business as usual would continue.
VA Beach City Council Election - Nov. 8, 2011
3 candidates, 1 will win, 2 will lose.
Prescott Sherrod - an advocate for bigger local government, higher taxes and fees, increased city government spending. The favorite candidate of far left liberals, Marxists, and people who love Obama.
Dennis Free - gun control advocate, seeks to disarm all of the public & squash the second amendment in VA Beach, also an advocate for bigger local government, higher taxes and fees, & increased city government spending.
John Moss - an advocate for people who actually pay income and/or property taxes. He is not in favor of the ever increasing nanny / welfare state advocated by the Democratic Socialist party.
Tuesday evening, November 8, one of these men will be celebrating.
Kudos to all 3 men.
Wrong
Dennis Free - gun control advocate, seeks to disarm all of the public & squash the second amendment in VA Beach, also an advocate for bigger local government, higher taxes and fees, & increased city government spending.
Dennis only advocates controlling guns to the extent that criminals should not have them. Dennis told me recently that in his entire 30+ year career as a law enforcement officer, he has never been concerned with a law-abiding citizen legally owning a gun.
Having recently went to a debate
with an open mind and no favorites, there was no doubt that Mr. John Moss is the ONLY candidate. He balances a large budget, has the MOST local government experience and does not owe anyone anything, a true man of the people. He would be able to build a bridge with the military and Virginia Beach. With that said the other two seemed overwhelmed and even clueless.
No relevancy
Actually, the City Manager balances a large budget as well; so do the existing members of City Council. Moss has been a federal bureaucrat almost all his life, spending billions of defense related dollars. The relevancy of that to a local government budget is a real stretch. His disdain of employees is revealed in the VBTA's call for replacing all city and blue collar workers with government contractors. They want to close schools, rec centers, parks, libraries, museums, economic development, stop all PPVs, get out of all regional partnerships, and essentially go it alone, the cost of which would be far more than today. Moss just likes to pontificate, so he wants to be on Council so we have to watch him on TV. No thanks.
Thanks for the tip, Mike!
"Close schools, rec centers, parks, libraries, museums, economic development, stop all PPVs, get out of all regional partnerships." That would certainly stop some wasteful spending, help balance the city budget, and put some money back in cash-strapped taxpayer pockets. Heck, we might even be able to finance trash collection without a fee if we did some of that. And you say John Moss is the candidate who would do that? Well then, I know who I'll vote for...John Moss. Thanks for the tip, Mike!