The race between incumbent Don Williams and challenger Barbara Saunders is a rematch of the 2002 race for the same seat. In 2002, Williams won by only 421 votes, out of 2,941 votes cast. Ward 1 is the smallest of the wards, containing only 6 precincts and about 13,000 registered voters. It is expected to be a close race. (The strangest comment in that article is the party affiliation of the two candidates, which, of course, doesn’t appear on the ballot.) A look at the two candidates.
Donald L. “Don” Williams
Don Williams is in his first term on council, having been elected in 2002 to replace the retiring G. Conoly Phillips. Williams previously served in the House of Delegates (1998-2001) but his seat was lost to redistricting. Williams’ complete bio can be found here. In addition, Williams’ answers to the Pilot’s questionnaire can be found here.
Williams has been calling for a 20-cent reduction in the real estate tax rate. Yesterday, the City Manager Regina Williams (no relation) presented the budget to council, calling for only a 5-cent reduction. While most of council is satisfied with the 5 cents, Williams is not and according to this article, intends to vote against the budget in its current form. (Of course, the vote on the budget will come after the election.) Even in the face of the impending loss of Ford, Williams strongly supports the reduction, saying “We need nearly every department, with the exception of police, fire and rescue, to look at what they can cut. Maybe there are some projects we need to put on hold.”
In its endorsement of Williams, the Pilot editorial gives Williams credit for getting council to agree to allow us to elect our mayor. They also point out that Williams seldom makes enemies. His opponent may disagree, as her removal from the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority board was due, in part, to Williams.
Barbara Saunders
Barbara Saunders is no stranger to politics. In its editorial, the Pilot commends her for adding to civic credentials since the last race. Her complete bio can be found here. Her answers to the Pilot’s questionnaire can be found here.
Saunders advocates a 30-cent reduction in the real estate rate. Such a reduction is considered by some to be reckless, especially with the Ford plant closing. If the proposed reduction was adopted, revenues to the city would actually fall. No problem, says Saunders. Elect her and she will find ways to reduce city spending.
Saunders has also been supportive of the Bay Oaks Parks Committee, saying that council has ignored the wishes of the residents. 5,376 residents signed a petition calling for the 21 acres to be maintained as a park.
As previously mentioned, Saunders served as a commissioner on the Norfolk Revelopment and Housing Authority board, a position that is appointed by City Council. What no one mentions is why Saunders was removed. Like so many things in Norfolk, I understand it was over the issue of race. The seven member board has the same racial makeup as council: three black members and four white members. From what I gather, by tradition, the longest serving member becomes chairman. At the time, the longest serving member was black. The three black members, of course, wanted to have him serve as chairman. Three of the white members did not, putting Saunders in the position of casting the deciding vote. Tremendous pressure was put on Saunders from many people, wanting her to cast her vote for a white candidate. Saunders chose to follow the tradition and cast her vote for Joshua Paige (no relation), who became the first black chairman.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 