I have confirmed via various sources that three people will be interviewed Thursday for the council vacancy in Superward 7. Those three are Brenda Andrews, Alveta Green and Jimmie Wilson.
Andrews is the publisher of The New Journal & Guide, Virginia’s oldest black weekly newspaper. She ran for the seat several years ago. Green is a former member of the Norfolk School Board. Wilson is the former aide to Del. Algie Howell and ran in the primary for treasurer in 2005.
In a phone call this morning, Wilson confirmed that he intends to run for the seat in November’s special election. Mayor Paul Fraim has indicated that he prefers the person appointed agree not to run. It is unclear to me how many members of council agree with the mayor on this, so I don’t know if it will disqualify him from being appointed.
Interviews are scheduled for Thursday at 3pm.
My question is: How can City Council members/mayor restrict an appointed interim councilmember from running for the position in the November special election? I agree keeping Daun in her seat until the November election makes the most sense politically as well as for governing continuity. Seems to me appointing someone who “promises” to warm the seat until the November election is not only silly but stupid since political promises are made to be broken. Bu then lately Norfolk’s Council memebers haven’t demonstrated good common sense.
Posted by Rediford New | Monday, July 5, 2010, 3:35 pmThey can’t. But I think it’s a good idea to try to do so; otherwise, they have basically chosen who the next elected representative from Ward 7 will be by creating an incumbent.
Daun was the best choice but she will not be appointed.
In politics, your word is your bond. I suspect if someone was appointed with the understanding that they would not run and then did so, there would be a not-so-quiet effort to defeat them come November.
Posted by vjp | Monday, July 5, 2010, 10:03 pm