Campaign notebook -- Beach
On Nov. 4, Virginia Beach voters will choose their mayor, four council members, and school board members. The candidates have their signs up. Civic leagues around the city are holding forums. Virginia Beach reporter Deirdre Fernandes is providing a behind-the-scenes view of these campaigns. This blog will feed you quotes, notes and interesting asides that she couldn’t fit in the newspaper. Check back often, because she plans to update frequently.
Category: Politics
Subscribe to this blog
Subscribe to this blog
Bowing out
06
Nov 08
12:26 PM
Meyera Oberndorf returned to City Hall Wednesday - a place that has been like a second home during her 32-year career - to concede the election and her position as the mayor of Virginia’s most populous city.
"The voters have spoken, and we will have a new mayor," Oberndorf told a group of reporters, a handful of city officials and two members of mayor-elect Will Sessoms’ campaign around 2:30 p.m.
There was an awkward moment when Oberndorf walked in to make her concession speech and saw former councilman William Harrison, a Sessoms' supporter, in the room.
Oberndorf, who has been mayor for 20 years, said she had called Sessoms to congratulate him on the campaign and his victory. According to preliminary results, excluding absentee ballots, Sessoms was ahead by more than 10,000 votes.
"The past 20 years have been an exciting time for me," Oberndorf said. "The next 20 will be as well."
Oberndorf reminisced about her tenure as mayor and improvements in the city, including the Lake Gaston pipeline and the development of the Princess Anne Commons corridor into a health and education sector.
Her office is filled with mementos and knick-knacks that reflect her years in public life: the calendar cards she passed out during her unsuccessful run for state Senate in 1979, a ceramic candy bowl made by school children, her dad’s art-deco desk set. She spent some emotional minutes with friend Joel Rubin and an aide in her office with the door closed before the press conference.
All the items will have to be removed by Jan. 1, when Sessoms is expected to take office.
Oberndorf said she is thinking of creating a foundation that will promote youth literacy.
Sessoms said he asked Oberndorf to stay involved in helping the city when he spoke with her.
"I look forward to working with her," Sessoms said. "I also think she left a nice foundation for the city."
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules. Comments do not reflect the views or approval of The Virginian-Pilot or this Web site. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment to alert an editor. Repeat offenders will be denied automatic posting privileges.
Obama and Sessoms
04
Nov 08
2:07 PM
Workers for mayoral candidate Will Sessoms are passing out mini-fliers aimed at African-American voters that say, “Obama for President, Sessoms for Virginia Beach Mayor.” Yet Sessoms has said in he is voting for John McCain and has given the McCain campaign money.
The flier contains a photo of Sessoms and Obama smiling and standing side-by-side. The back of the flier lists Sessoms’ goals, including increasing minority contractors, better mass transit and raods, and more affordable housing.
When presented with the flier at Arrowhead Elementary School this afternoon, Sessoms said he hadn’t seen it before and didn’t know about it.
Bruce Williams, a consultant for the Sessoms campaign, said he saw nothing objectionable or untrue about the pieces.
“Is there anything about it that’s not the truth?” Williams said. “Some people think there should be national change and local change.”
A private donor produced them, Williams said. The flier doesn’t say who authorized it, and Williams said that disclaimer was unnecessary.
“It showed up and we thought it was a good one,” Williams said.
The Sessoms campaign criticized Mayor Meyera Oberndorf last week for saying in radio spots and her literature that she endorsed Obama. The endorsement allowed partisanship to creep into nonpartisan local elections, Sessoms’ supporters said.
Roger Oberndorf, the mayor’s husband and campaign manager, called the flier “hypocritical.”
Kenny Golden, the chairman of the Virginia Beach Republican Party, called on Sessoms to denounce and withdraw them.
Sessoms, along with mayoral candidates John Moss and Scott Taylor, have the GOP’s support.
“If it’s true, it’s one of the most cynical things I’ve seen,” Golden said. “If he lets this piece go forward, then he is not a Republican for sure.”
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules. Comments do not reflect the views or approval of The Virginian-Pilot or this Web site. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment to alert an editor. Repeat offenders will be denied automatic posting privileges.
Record-breaking and beyond
03
Nov 08
4:10 PM
Will Sessoms has raised more than $600,000 in his campaign to become mayor of Virginia Beach.
Several large last-minute contributions puts his total at $603,991.
Sessoms received a $2,500 check from the Tidewater Builders Association, $2,000 from Norfolk lawyer Vincent Mastracco Jr., and $1,700 from the Beach Leadership Council.
TBA gave Mayor Meyera Oberndorf the same amount and the leadership council, a political action committee of young business leaders, gave the five-term mayor $300.
Sessoms has maintained a financing edge throughout this campaign and had initially set a goal of raising $500,000.
He has argued that he needed the additional money to run ads against a 20-year mayor with high name recognition.
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules. Comments do not reflect the views or approval of The Virginian-Pilot or this Web site. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment to alert an editor. Repeat offenders will be denied automatic posting privileges.
"I've seen you."
28
Oct 08
2:34 PM
We’ll know on Nov. 4th if Will Sessoms’ record-setting fund raising has helped him overcome Meyera Oberndorf’s incumbency and name recognition in the four-way race for Beach mayor.
Sessoms has run television ads, bought hundreds of signs, and mailed booklets with the more than half-a-million dollars he’s raised.
He’s certainly gotten his message out. A few days ago, while stumping at the Woods Corner shopping center most people he approached said they had caught his signs along the road or seen him on TV.
“I know you,” Timothy Burrell told Sessoms. “I’ve seen your picture.
Many of those he encountered during the 45-minute campaign stop told him they thought it was time for a change.
“I hope that change is me,” Sessoms said.
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules. Comments do not reflect the views or approval of The Virginian-Pilot or this Web site. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment to alert an editor. Repeat offenders will be denied automatic posting privileges.
Down time
24
Oct 08
1:09 PM
The four mayoral candidates were at WVEC this morning for the taping of Joel Rubin’s “On the Record” show.
It may have been the early morning (9 a.m.) event or the joy that these forums may soon be coming to an end, but the candidates and their entourage were relaxed and chatty as they waited in the lobby.
They discussed the news about thousands of overseas absentee ballots being invalidated. Robert Dean, a John Moss supporter, joked that he and Mayor Meyera Oberndorf were almost family. Dean said he had once dated a relative of the mayor.
The candidates even traded notes on their pooches.
Then they all went into the studio and duked-it out over issues such as leadership, public-private development and the city manager’s performance.
You can catch Rubin’s show on Sunday at noon on WVEC.
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules. Comments do not reflect the views or approval of The Virginian-Pilot or this Web site. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment to alert an editor. Repeat offenders will be denied automatic posting privileges.
Road signs
23
Oct 08
12:09 PM
Two of the mayoral candidates who don’t have the cash to advertise on TV have taken their show on the road.
Scott Taylor is spending mornings this week holding up a sign asking for votes across a bridge on Highway 264. His dog Cole has joined him, according to Allen Fabijan, Taylor’s campaign spokesman.
Taylor's campaing is hoping to reach commuters, Fabijan said.
“We’re doing everything we can to get him out there without any money,” Fabijan said.
Mayoral candidate John Moss and his supporters have been holding up signs and demonstrating at key intersections on weekends.
Taylor and Moss have collected $77,089 and $22,869, respectively, in campaign contributions through the end of October.
Mayor Meyera Oberndorf and Will Sessoms have bought commercial time on television stations. Oberndorf is primarily advertising on cable stations and has collected $68,349. Sessoms has bought time on both cable and network stations and has a war chest of $552,521.
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules. Comments do not reflect the views or approval of The Virginian-Pilot or this Web site. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment to alert an editor. Repeat offenders will be denied automatic posting privileges.
Breakfast and politics
22
Oct 08
2:59 PM
As part of their breakfast meeting at Jason's Deli on Saturday, the Virginia Beach Democrats will be opening the floor to the candidates for city office. That includes the 6 men and 5 women running for school board, who've had few invitations to appear before the public in this election cycle.
As folks munch on bagels, croissants, scones, muffins and fruit at the Pembroke Mall restaurant, they'll get a chance to hear candidates make their pitches. Democratic Party membership is not a requirement either to campaign or listen. The meeting starts at 9 a.m.
-- Lauren Roth
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules. Comments do not reflect the views or approval of The Virginian-Pilot or this Web site. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment to alert an editor. Repeat offenders will be denied automatic posting privileges.
Absence
21
Oct 08
10:51 AM
Lawrence Teator has missed some of the candidate forums this month. He's not the only one.
But Teator wanted folks to know that he has an excuse.
"The reason for my absence from various political functions I have been invited to from 10/10 thru 10/18/08 is due to emergency appendectomy surgery at Virginia Beach General Hospital on 10/10/08. I am presently recuperating at home and look forward to up coming events," Teator said in an e-mail.
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules. Comments do not reflect the views or approval of The Virginian-Pilot or this Web site. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment to alert an editor. Repeat offenders will be denied automatic posting privileges.
Rose Hall Grumble
17
Oct 08
5:12 PM
Glenn Davis, who is trying to unseat Reba McClanan to represent the Rose Hall district, disputed claims his opponent makes on Web site.
In a press release, Davis called McClanan’s statements about her support of economic development and transportation “a fairy tale” and “outlandish.”
On her Website, McClanan - who has joked about often pressing the “no” button at the City Council dais and is running as an independent voice – says that she has promoted economic development.
“I have fought to promote economic development that generates revenue and creates much-needed jobs for our citizens,” the main page of www.rebamcclanan.com states. “I continue to be a strong advocate for our public schools, working with parents and teachers to elevate educational excellence and make our schools safer for our children.”
Davis noted that McClanan has voted against most of the phases of the Town Center development and against the budget in the past, which provided money for road and school projects.
“There are issues with the budget that someone may not like, they need to voice their concerns and make it a win-win,” Davis said.
In Davis’ press release Ira Agricola, the director of the Virginia Beach division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, said McClanan had an inconsistent record of supporting economic development.
Mike Barrett, the vice-chairman of the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, backed Davis for the Rose Hall seat.
McClanan said she has supported development along the Lynnhaven Mall corridor and the Corporate Landing business park. She said she was initially supportive of Town Center, but has been concerned as it grew that there were more restaurants than other stores and businesses in the mixed-use project.
“I’m sorry he doesn’t approve (of the Web site),” McClanan said. “But I didn’t think to check with him.”
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules. Comments do not reflect the views or approval of The Virginian-Pilot or this Web site. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment to alert an editor. Repeat offenders will be denied automatic posting privileges.
Central Business District forum
15
Oct 08
7:10 PM
When you’re at a forum hosted by the Virginia Beach Central Business District, you can expect questions about the economy.
Three of the four mayoral candidates on Wednesday afternoon fielded questions about public-private partnerships, transportation priorities, taxes, and potential budgetary changes they would make because of the economic crisis.
Here are some questions and responses:
Do you support public-private partnerships, like the ones used to create Town Center and the 31st Street Hilton?
Mayor Meyera Oberndorf and former Navy SEAL Scott Taylor said they supported the partnerships.
They are a way of spurring new development, Oberndorf said.
However, Taylor criticized aspects of both the Hilton and Town Center partnership arrangements. He said he would have preferred to see more businesses and developers involved in Town Center. Taylor objected to a portion of the Hilton contract that allows the developer to use the city land as collateral for loans to build other projects.
Former councilman John Moss said he opposes the public-private partnerships because it benefits only select businesses.
In terms of regional cooperation, what has the city done right and what has the city done wrong?
The city’s participation in the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance has helped Beach officials travel to other countries to recruit businesses, Oberndorf said. Virginia Beach, because it has the most people, pays the most into the alliance and "I'm hopeful that we'll get a really big fish that we can point to."
Moss praised the cities for working together on emergency responses. But said Virginia Beach has supported regional transportation interests, instead of its own.
Taylor said he would like to see the region work together to bring a sports team here.
What changes would you make to the budget because of the economy?
Moss said the council will have to make some tough decisions in the coming years and make some cuts. He said the city should stop hiring new employees under a defined benefit plan, which gives workers a set amount after retirement based on years of service and salary. Moss also suggested that the city freeze all positions except public safety workers.
Oberndorf said the city is already trying to save money by trimming energy costs and trying to eliminate positions through attrition, except in departments such as public safety.
Will Sessoms, president of Towne Bank in Virginia Beach, did not attend the forum because of a business conflict. In a letter, Sessoms reminded business leaders that when he was on City Council, he supported light rail and encouraged the development of Town Center. The city needs a leader with business background in “these turbulent economic times,” Sessoms wrote. Sessoms has missed some forums or left early from them, said Allen Fabijan, a spokesman for Taylor’s campaign.
“How’s he going to be an effective mayor, if he’s got this going on and that going on,” Fabijan asked.
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules. Comments do not reflect the views or approval of The Virginian-Pilot or this Web site. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment to alert an editor. Repeat offenders will be denied automatic posting privileges.
HamptonRoads.com
Entertainment
PilotOnline.com
HamptonRoads.tv
|
Calendar
Restaurants
Movies
Attractions
Community Blogs
Photo Sharing
Latest local and national news
Search archives
Search Videos
Upload Your Video
Video Feeds
