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| Mayor Meyera Oberndorf says she plans to start raising money about six months before Election Day. (The Virginian-Pilot file photo) |
By Richard Quinn
The Virginian-Pilot
VIRGINIA BEACH
It's 16 months before the next mayoral election, and the latest campaign finance reports show former Vice Mayor Will Sessoms had $221,711.51 sitting in the bank on June 30.
Well over a year before Election Day, Mayor Meyera Oberndorf faces a challenger who has already raised more than twice what she raised in her last campaign. And Sessoms plans to increase his war chest to at least $500,000 by the time voters cast their ballots.
"Every year, the price of running for office goes up," said Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political scientist. "Every time I think there's a ceiling, we add another story to the campaign finance building."
What will probably be the most expensive mayoral race in Virginia Beach's history is fueled by several factors.
 Will Sessoms was a council member from 1988 to 2002 and vice mayor for 10 of those years. The Virginian-Pilot file photo |
Next year's city election is the first to be held in November. Municipal races have long been held in the spring, but they were recently switched to the fall, where they will now compete with federal elections.
Also, any candidate looking to unseat Oberndorf, a five-term incumbent, needs strong financial backing to do it, said Dave Iwans, a consultant to Sessoms' campaign.
"It's going to take a serious candidate with some serious resources to compete effectively," Iwans said Friday.
Sessoms' largesse was revealed earlier this month in reports filed with the state Board of Elections.
Much of his money comes from the business community. Sessoms, a council member from 1988 to 2002 and vice mayor for 10 of those years, is president of TowneBank Virginia Beach.
Oberndorf did not file a report. She told Inside Business, a Hampton Roads business journal, that raising funds this far in advance of an election would conflict with her elected duty.
Oberndorf was out of the country on city business Friday and couldn't be reached for comment. Sessoms was also out of the country Friday and unavailable for comment.
Oberndorf has said she plans to start raising money about six months before Election Day.
Don Weeks, a former councilman and another declared candidate, hasn't filed his first campaign finance report, either. Weeks has started a Web site for his supporters, www.cityhallforall.com.
The mayor hasn't said how much money she plans to raise but hinted it would be difficult to match Sessoms' tally.
"I have to be very candid with you," Oberndorf told Inside Business. "I am not a very strong fund raiser."
Perhaps making the path more challenging is that Sessoms has already tapped some of the people who gave to Oberndorf's last campaign.
And some of those contributors gave much more to Sessoms than they did to the mayor, a review of campaign finance reports show.
Developer Michael Sifen gave Oberndorf $750 in her last run. Sifen has already given Sessoms $10,000. Similarly, developer Doug Ellis gave Oberndorf $1,000 in 2004. This year, he's given Sessoms $5,000.
Sabato said he is not surprised to see the expense of campaigning rise in Virginia Beach. Similar-size cities have already had races cost more than $1 million, he said.
"What we're seeing in Virginia Beach is part of a national trend, it's part of a state trend," Sabato added. "There's no end to it. And people can expect the next election... to be more expensive than this one."
Richard Quinn, (757) 222-5119, richard.quinn@pilotonline.com
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We need new citizens
Reading some of the absolutely absurd comments herein, rather than elect new political leadership, we need new citizens to get involved in the election. I dismiss many of the comments from non residents, but even Beach people make the most ridiculous statements I have ever heard. Some condemn development when all of us live in the homes, shop in the stores, worship in churches, and work in offices and businesses created by developers and builders. Most citizens in Virginia Beach owe their most of their net worth to the developer/builder of their homes. Most citizens massively support and enjoy the institutions we have created; the library system, museums, schools, recreation centers and parks. I say, stop complaining, or move out.
SPINELESS CITIZENS
How often have I heard people complain about Mayor Oberndorf? How often have I read your complaints about not having a choice, and somehow she wins term after term. Now is your chance people!!! Here we finally have two people running against her. Treat this election as if she were already out of office and choose between the two other candidates. Her time is up. Virginia Beach is a WORSE OFF place than it was 20 years ago. Crime has steadily risen, home values are off the charts because developers have priced people out of their own homes, the oceanfront has taken a front seat to the needs of the citizens, tourists are now more important than you.
Now is the time to use your voice. She has done a terrible job and you all know it.
Four More Years for Meyera Oberndorf
I recently read there will be a contested Virginia Beach Mayor's race to be held in November 2008. Most citizens probably only recognize and remember one famous Virginia Beach mayor and that is Meyera Oberndorf. I do not think throwing big money at this contest will change the election results. Nice plan, but we have one dedicated mayor already and she works hard at the job daily and really deserves another term.
Better the Demon We Know
The article details more of the same. Developers contribute to their favorite in hopes of gleaning some favors in the future. If Mr. Sessoms succeeds, then expect a flurry of developmental activity throughout the choicest sections of this City. Remember the forgotten marina project for the undeveloped section of Owls Creek. That is an environmental travisty waiting in the wings to fly again and impose upscale values on the minority community of Seatack and a rude imposition on the community of South Beach/Shadowlawn. The deal with Indigo Dunes, as rotten as it may be, will be pushed ahead with certain vigor, regardless of right or wrong. I will vote for the Nicest Demon we already know, the incumbent Mayor. At least she tries real hard
Just glad they are yours!
I am just happy to know these 2 belong to VB and not any other city. For right now, VB funds all money pits and the dirty beaches they offer to tourists that are now avoiding it like the plague. VB voters, you really need to find a good candidate that can start the ball rolling into making your city the grand city it used to be not what it has become, the joke of all cities today. All the money that council and the mayor has spent without a thought of how it would be paid for because they knew they could count on the deep pockets of it's citizenry that would give it up without a peep..you poor people..at least where I live, there are no more dreamers to blow my hard earned money,we are already broke and the council knows it! You're next.
How about...
when the election rolls around, and it's only still those two, how about the people vote for the undecided. The city would be better off without a mayor. We don't need more building or our city "Giving Away" free land, that taxpayers pay for. How many citizens can "afford" season tickets for the performing arts or will stay in a hotel at Town Center?We do have a choice, not to vote either of those two in office. A trained monkey would be a better choice instead of those two walking ATM machines, who would sell out to developers.All those big developments were suppose to bring in big tax revenue, what happen?They would buy a strip of land thats not even big enough to park a bike on for over a million $$.Then tell the citizens taxes go up!
Why Sessoms?
Why Sessoms? From whence comes his mandate? He's an insider. He'll be no better. Just two choices?! Stick with Meyera if there are no other choices. At least she's fairly balanced in her approach and thought processes. Looks like Sessoms will be another Dairy Queen Man.
Time for her to go......
I will say that our dear Mayor is a nice lady...but thats it. She should have been voted out of office years ago, time for a change, any one but her. The job is way over her head, and she has turned out to be an national embarrassment for the city of Virginia Beach. Now we just have to vote out the Vice-mayor and J. Wood. Virginia Beach needs new blood and creative thinkers. Implore everyone to go to the city web pages and watch the informal sessions. Btw, can we get rid of the City Manager too, afterall, he thinks he doesn't have to serve the citizens of VB, just rule them....
Obvious
I was a long time VB resident who railed against Mayor Meyera. However, after moving away I can look back and say I was wrong. One thing I notice is VB residents vote people out and then accuse the newly elected of the same infractions. You will not receive the value from another if you vote against Meyera. In this particular case it appears that a great deal of damage could be done by electing Sessoms. If you want special interests I believe you will be voting in favor of them by casting your vote for him. his view was offered by an unemotional, unaffected viewer from outside of the box.
Why worry about development?
Va Beach has already been developed to the hilt. If you people back in the "armpit" beach of the world had voted out the good encumbant Mayor years ago, maybe things would have been different. If this guy Sessoms thinks he is going to have his say with developers because they fund him into office, think again! Please go read about what is happening in Loudoun County with a Council Member who may have had unethical dealings with local developers- the FBI is now investigating him. I still wonder when Va Beach will upgrade it's low class image, maybe Sessoms can help! And with the redevelopment of Ocean View, things are bound to get worse. Low wages, high cost of homes, poor education standards, wow- come live in Va Beach!
I hope someone else runs
I hope that I can vote for a Mayoral candidate that doesn't have the backing of the RAC or the developers. I am not going to miss voting in this election, and you can bet your last dollar and your kids' future it won't be for Meyera - I will put my own name as a "write in" before I ever vote for her. The same goes for most of the Council members (all but 2 or 3). We need a change, people - please don't let expensive campaign ads and publicity tricks make you forgetfull of the garbage we have had to put up with these last several years. Find a candidate that you know will actually listen to, and care about, the voters, not just their campaign contributors. Enough is enough.
Youve got to be kidding
Developers are not the problem. These are the guys that risk their own finances to bring about improvements in housing. Who lives in a house or goes to a store that developers did not build? Wake up!
The current group of misleadership running things, have brought you the (ARP) Agricultural Reserve Program. This is where they take your tax dollars and spend it to make sure that housing is more expensive for everyone else. Sure its great to drive by farms and fields, but thats not reailty. How about some leadership and planning. If I lived in Pungo or Blackwater Id be irate to have to drive and hour for school or to a decent store.
Lets have a discussion about the issues. If you dont like Developers move to Siberia!
Between the devil and the deep blue sea
Pls tell me there will be more candidates than just these two....
Hopefully the citizens of VAB will have more choices.
Sessoms and Obeadroff have prooven themselves to be all for using tax dollars for private gain. I would like to see all the localities open their eyes and make sweeping change by electing fresh and uncorupted officials into office. Along with sweeping change, it would be great to see term limits put on all elected and appointed public seats. George Washington himself said it best, no person should monopolize a seat of public trust. After the first or second term, whose interest do you think these politicians have at heart? It's not the public interest they have, it is their own and that of their friends and families. We could gain a lot and keep our govt fresh with new ideas by invoking term limits. Vote em out!
Sessoms is a joke
Sessoms gave us: the houses around NAS Oceana(BRAC), Lynnhaven Mall in the flight path, the 31 st hotel vs. the voted for city park, Sportsplex failure and a fatal EMS system that cost the taxpayers millions to fix... He is a joke! He can spend millions of developer donations but the voters are not that dumb. You can't buy an election in Virginia Beach. Sessoms is the reason the taxes are as high as they are today. He never cut the rate and has never seen a tax dollar that he wasn't willing to spend at the Oceanfront! Obendorf has been Mayor a long time but she still votes for the residents while Sessoms money trail has sprawl written all over it! I can't wait to take the debate to Sessoms and hear him explain his voting record. :-)
Are you tired yet?
I will be an interesting race if the people of V. Beach don't forget all shenanigans the current administration has put the citizens of V. beach through. The on going development of now wet lands to name one. Haven't you had enough of the one political party rule, yet? I hope you folks make a sweeping change that is felt all the way to Richmond.
Will and Bill Facism
We saw it when Sessoms was on City Council before: the residents shut out of the process, developers running wild, taxes raised annually, etc. There is no doubt that Sessoms as Mayor would be much worse. I've voted against Meyera the last two times (Corillo and Dean), but she's actually the lesser of evils in the field so far. However, Meyera will need to start fundraising ASAP as Sessoms is trying to lock her out. What this field needs is a minority progressive.
Bye Bye Meyera!
The good news is Meyera is leaving. The bad news is we have to wait until Jan 09 to see her go! If Sessoms wins that will be a huge boost for the city. He will be able to bring in some serious high quality development into this city. Maybe in ten years Virginia Beach will no longer be the laughingstock of resort cities on the east coast and will no longer be a market that caters to the lower middle class.
Its time for a change. I support Will Sessoms.
The time for a change is here and now. The city deserves an experienced and capable candidate like Will Sessoms. Meyera has failed to balance issues like housing, employment and BRAC. Her lack of vision almost cost us Oceana. She's a sweet lady but the City's issues are more complicated than she can handle. She waits for an issue like BRAC or illegal immigration to hit the fan before she tries to put together a plan to deal with the the issue. Its time for politicians to think long-term and not be 100% reactionary. I support change and Will Sessoms is the only experienced choice that we have. Mr. Weeks is just hot air. Also, under Meyera's leadership over the last 20 years the Lynnhaven River has become a toxic waste dump. Thanks, Meyera!
Just move!
I got tired of the politics and stupid goings-on in VAB when i lived there, so when I moved for school, I stayed far, far away. The only times I'm back down east are for business trips and to see family...that's it. No one could pay me enough to live back in that mess. Sure, I may not earn as much as I could living there, but I've got no traffic, clean air, and a lot of unspoiled natural areas to enjoy (unlike the sea of asphalt and vinyl). The trade-offfs are definitely worth it...quality of life is why I will never return...in addition to the petty politics of the region.