Keith J. Strausbaugh

Strausbaugh, 23, is running for City Council in Virginia Beach (At-Large)

Opponents: Georgia F. Allen, Leona M. Shuler, Lawrence J. Teator, Rosemary A. Wilson

Years in city: 22

Education: Floyd E. Kellam High School, Class of 2003, co-valedictorian; bachelor of science in criminal justice, Old Dominion University, 2003-2007; Currently: master of arts in English, Old Dominion University, 2007-2009

Occupation: Graduate teaching assistant

Family: None

All too often it seems people get involved with politics for the wrong reasons. It's not about the voters to them; it's about the pull and the connections the position entitles them to use or abuse. So why am I running? I need a job and I feel I'm qualified to represent the citizens of Virginia Beach. In addition, I'm not connected with any business sector, nor any local government body. If elected, I would bring intelligent and objective decision-making to the council. Yes, I'm inexperienced, but I'm also a quick learner with a successful academic track record. In any given situation or debate I will ask the question: What is best for the citizens of Virginia Beach? NOT: What is best for the beach economy? NOT: What is best for the developers? NOT: What is best for my friends, family, or associates? NOT: What is best for the military? No, the question will be: What is best for the citizens of Virginia Beach? I'll weigh pros against cons and arrive at a rational and objective decision.

Given the cost of gas and current traffic congestion problems, the light rail should be considered a legitimate transportation option. That being said, I do not support the light rail at any cost. Every effort should be made to bring down the price of construction and implementation.

An appropriate answer now could be drastically different than an answer a year from today. Concerns change, issues change, economies change. It's these broad, future-oriented questions that attempt to pin down a politician and force him/her to make a statement that they later regret. You cannot decide what to cut until you're put into that exact position with all the options in front of you; anything else is irresponsible guesswork.

Minimum. I don't support using public monies to fulfill private interests. These improvements aren't being made for residents; they're being made to benefit developers and better capitalize on the tourist dollar.

Affordable housing; School renovations; A transition to interactive politics whereby citizens are engaged and more informed in the decision-making process (such as an electronic mailing list that residents can sign up for to receive brief summaries of important council actions with the accompanying reasoning behind the actions).

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