2008 Voter Guide: Suffolk Mayor

Thomas A. Powell Jr.

Powell, 37, is running for mayor in Suffolk

Opponents: Andrew B. Damiani, Michael J. Debranski, Linda T. Johnson, Roger A. Leonard, Dwight A. Nixon, Deborah Wahlstrom (write-in)

Years in city: In 1978, at the age of 7, family moved to Turlington Road; since 2004 has resided in Lakeside in the Suffolk borough

Education: Gateway Christian High School; bachelor's degree in communications from Pensacola Christian College

Occupation: President and creative director of The Addison Group, a full service marketing and advertising agency in downtown Suffolk

Family: Wife, Wendy; four children: Julia, 9, Tre, 7, Jack, 5, and Jude, 3.

Civic involvement: Downtown Rotary Club, director and active member; Center of Hope and New Beginnings, director; active member of Nansemond River Baptist Church; active member of Greater Suffolk Council; past chairman, Jamestown 2007 committee; former vice chair and chairman, United Way; former youth director, Liberty Baptist Church in Suffolk

Candidate questionnaire

Question 1: What makes you the best candidate for mayor?

I believe the challenges I have faced in my own business, The Addison Group, have prepared me to face the challenges of being mayor. The clear communication and teamwork I will bring make me the best candidate.

Question 2: What should be the city's top priority now? How can it be achieved?

Our top priority should be to re-connect with Suffolk's citizens. Our citizens deserve a voice in city decisions. Together we will make the best decisions for Suffolk's future. We can achieve this through greater transparency and giving a voice to our citizens.

Question 3: What will be the city's most pressing issue in 10 years, and how can the city prepare for it?

At the rate we are growing our most pressing issue in 10 years will be infrastructure needs. However, through smart growth and a clear vision for the future, we can anticipate our need and ease the burden on our residents.

Question 4: How should the city continue to develop? What does ''controlled growth'' mean to you?

Growth is good if it is smart. I think that establishing a vision for the future and growing in ways that are mutually beneficial is essential. Smart growth will make our economy stronger and provide a higher quality of life. I will be committed to retaining our green space and protecting our villages from overdevelopment.

Question 5: If you were mayor, what would be your approach to regional efforts in Hampton Roads?

Considering how interconnected we are in Hampton Roads, we must have a working relationship with other cities. Regionally, Suffolk has a strong position because of our room to grow and access to ports. We need to be a proactive player in our region, not a spectator.

Question 6: Should the city and state raise more money to pay for transportation projects? If yes, how?

Our current economic situation makes it impossible to raise taxes on our hard-working citizens to pay for transportation needs. We must look for ways in this tight economy to trim our budget and to prioritize the areas that require funding to secure Suffolk now and in the future. Failing to address transportation needs could leave our city crippled for years.

Question 7: What, if any, improvements should be made to the Holland Road corridor? How should these be paid for?

We need to address the issue of utilities and to the future with expansion along the Holland Road corridor. We need a plan, based on research and engineering, factoring in projected growth and we need action. For funding we must prioritize our needs and streamline our budget.

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