First Big Powwow Of 2011

The Virginia Beach City Council is now scheduled to hold a Retreat on January 21 and 22 of 2011. It will be in the Department of Economic Development (DED) Conference Room (10th Floor, Town Center tower) from 8:30-5 each day.

Having attended every Council Retreat since 2002, after Christmas I plan to post some pointers on how you can try to have a policy impact on a Retreat.

Direct Mail Chutzpah

As an observer of Virginia Beach politics, I'm used to hearing statements made that are outlandish. However, I received a direct mail piece today that is one of the biggest ones I've seen this year.

It's from the Democratic Party of Virginia, and on the 2nd Congressional District race. It attacks Scott Rigell for contributing money to Barack Obama's Presidential campaign, and having stated in a debate that he wouldn't repeal Obamacare. That's right: the Democrats went after Rigell for giving money to their own President's campaign and not wanting to revoke his health care initiative! Do they believe people are too stupid to read who sent it? (It appears on the mailing twice.)

With stuff like that, no wonder many people are so cynical about politics.

Some Form of Regionalism

Our latest poll question was on what to do in terms of regional consolidations. 45% want to consolidate both cities and services, 13% want to consolidate services alone, while 42% want no consolidations.

As our cities become more homogeneous, I believe having separate cities side by side will make as much sense as two Germanys after the fall of the Berlin Wall. As Karl Marx would say, consolidation is a "historic inevitability".

The new question is on the VBRA request to curb food & beverage sales at Resort Area events. Do you support or oppose it? Why or why not?

RAC October 7, 2010

Yesterday afternoon Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) held it's October meeting.

Mark Schnaufer gave a Briefing on the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study (VBTES). Of primary interest to Commissioners were the route alternatives between Birdneck Road and the Convention Center.

A letter from the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association (VBRA) to Resort Administrator Mike Eason was presented to the RAC. The VBRA wants food and beverage sales curbed at Resort Area events, believing they are taking away business from restaurants there. The RAC sent the matter to it's Oceanfront Enhancement Committee (OEC) for study and a possible action plan.

A landing page of Resort Area projects for the City's vbgov.com website was shown. It would give residents online information about ongoing initiatives. The RAC approved going live with it, provided an easier gateway can be established so people can find the information.

Of top interest in the Plan/Design Review Committee's (PDCR) report was that planning for the third tower of the Ocean Beach Club is underway.

Finally, on October 15 Phase I of the Laskin Gateway Project will be completed, with Phase III beginning that day. Closure of Laskin Road for work there has now been delayed until January, so as to not interfere with Christmas shopping at businesses there.

Will Sessoms Steps In It

While I didn't vote for Will Sessoms for Mayor, I've had high hopes for what might happen with him in the Mayor's Office. After all, we're finally moving forward again after four years of stagnation. However, the Mayor has made a major blunder with his list of endorsees for the November 2 election.

One huge problem: it's an all-White slate, even with a couple quality minority candidates (Andrew Jackson and Tanya Bullock) on the ballot. Next year is a City Redistricting year, where the minority communities - and others (including myself) - will probably push for reform of Virginia Beach's obscene at-large election system for City Council races. So if Sessoms blows off minority Council candidates in 2010, then eschews reform of the electoral system in 2011, what minority support would he expect to have for reelection in 2012? Will has painted himself into a corner.

Add to that Republican ire over Sessoms' endorsement of Jody Wagner for Lieutenant Governor in 2009, which is only inflamed by Sessoms choosing Barbara Henley for reelection against Tanya Bullock.

I've opined before (The V-P's Sessoms Puff Piece, 7/8/09) that Mayor Sessoms could have easily won reelection in 2012 by assembling a coalition of the business community, the Republican establishment, and the minority communities. Instead, he's now in self-destruct mode. If Sessoms believes business community money alone can win elections, ask Page Lea (2002), The Yes Campaign (2002), and Margaret Eure (2004).

Reality For The "No One Rides The Bus" Tin Foil Hat Set

Last night I made a trip out to buy groceries. 3 of the 4 buses I was on were standing room only. (Inbound 20, Inbound 23, and Outbound 20.)

Al Sharpton Is Coming To Virginia Beach

I knew that title would get your attention. The 2010 Freedom Fund Banquet for the Virginia Beach Chapter of the NAACP will be on Friday, October 29 at the Town Center Westin. A Reception will be at 6 P.M., followed by Dinner at 7 P.M. Tickets are $75 for the Banquet plus a one year membership in the Chapter, $50 for the Dinner alone.

The Keynote Speaker will be Al Sharpton. Regardless of what you think of Sharpton, he's the kind of individual who can bring national attention to the inequities here in Virginia Beach. Therefore, his visit should be welcomed by everyone except our elitists. (Then, maybe he can save them from their own stupidity.)

I mailed in my check this morning.