Candidate profile: Andy Wallach

As promised in my Open Letter to Norfolk Council Candidates, here is the first candidate to respond – Andy Wallach – in his own words:

 

Andy Wallach for City Council

 

I am Andy Wallach and I am running for Norfolk City Council as the Ward 2 representative in the May election. I request your support. Let me take a few moments of your time to tell you why you should hire me to represent you on Council:

 

• I am independent. My only allegiance is to you. I am not beholden, nor will I ever become beholden, to any special interest or politician.
• I believe in the power of grass roots and the power of the individual. I’ve worked community issues as President and previously Vice President of a large civic league (Colonial Place/Riverview); arguing issues before Planning and Council.
• I am an organizer and supporter of citizen-initiated action such as saving Lafayette Park from the Mayor’s effort to ruin it with a sport’s stadium. Now I am working with over 5,000 voters to reverse Council’s decision that blocks our rights to hold a referendum concerning “Bay Oaks Park”.
• Being semi-retired, I’ll work full time to ensure your voice is heard. It will be my job to listen to you every day … not just during election years.
• I’ll champion good management. I studied economics, accounting and have a masters of business administration. I’ll insist on proper analysis so that we get our money’s worth. I can work the numbers. Norfolk is a billion dollar business. Businesses provide their owners with an annual report. Where is our annual report?

 

We need to get one thing straight, your support and vote is essential to my election. Then, I can be an independent voice on City Council that speaks for you. Let me ask you some questions:

1. Does the City Council work openly with you?
2. Is the Council addressing your priorities?
3. Are you getting your money’s worth?

 

I have served my family. I have served our country.

And now I am ready to serve you.

Brief Biographic Sketch:
Name: Andrew J. Wallach
Education: BA Economics Johns Hopkins; MBA Old Dominion
Occupation: Financial Planner/Investment Advisor
Previous Employment: Retired Federal Civil Servant; Retired Naval Reserve Officer
Residency: Norfolk for 31 years; last 18 Colonial Place; previously East Ocean View and Larrymore Lawns
Family: Married to Cynthia Faschini; grown daughter and son (teacher at Granby HS); son-in-law and daughter-in-law
(optometrist Selden Optique); grandson and granddaughter
Civic Activities: President, previously Vice-President, Colonial Place/Riverview Civic League; Board Bay Oaks Park
Committee; organizer of Protect Our Public Park Spaces, successful effort to protect Lafayette Park
Hobby: MG sports cars

 

Andy Wallach for City Council – Issues (Some…I have More)

1. Property taxes as a result of higher assessments are unbearable for many residents and must be lowered. City-wide tax rate should automatically adjust for increases in the overall value of assessments so City does not get wind-fall without specifically voting to increase taxes.

2. Education is critical. I support an independent, elected school board, not one appointed by Council, which can freely negotiate educational funding with Council.

3. Openness. The electorate “hires” the Council. Discussions and decision-making, except for personal or personnel actions, should be open. All Council meetings, informal and formal, should be web cast and archived.

4. While I strongly support public transportation, I question viability of currently planned light rail system that will run on downtown streets. Mass transit needs to be regional and part of overall transportation plan.

5. Very strongly support voters’ right to hold a referendum on “Bay Oaks Park”. Council is wrong to oppose and use our money to hire lawyers to fight the referendum petition.

6. We need more fenced dog parks; relatively easy and cheap amenities that benefit our residents. In going door-to-door I am amazed at the number of dogs that live in Norfolk.

7. Private development is great; public development and subsidized private development must be stringently justified by benefit/cost analysis.

8. Citizens should have the opportunity to participate in the prioritization of capital improvement projects prior to the drafting of the annual budget.

9. Code enforcement is the key to maintaining our communities. Why were 30% of the inspector positions vacant for so long?

10. I support Police Assisted Community Enforcement (PACE) and applaud the recent actions that the Police Chief has taken to combat crime. Increasing the number of cars on patrol to 30 from 24 without increasing personnel requirements is admirable.

11. Our police, firefighter, and teacher salaries must be competitive. Currently they are not. Urban cities are more complex; our employees deserve more.

12. We owe our City employees, present and past, our gratitude. The Council lets property taxes rise at an outlandish rate but skimps on cost of living increases for our City retirees.

13. Many of our Council members benefit indirectly from City approved projects. I will never be associated with any business that contracts with any City agency or that benefits from Council decisions.

14. City infrastructure of sewers, roads, sidewalks, bulkheads in many neighborhoods need to be repaired/replaced now.

Wallach for City Council PO Box 11467 Norfolk, VA 23517

www.wallachforcouncil.org (757) 408-4497 Wallachforcouncil@cox.net