Boss Burfoot

In a followup to the actions of council on Tuesday, which I wrote about here, today’s Pilot has an editorial about Anthony Burfoot’s actions and those of the council who went along with him.

After Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Norfolk needs to rewrite its “Come Home to Norfolk” housing slogan.

In the interest of truth in advertising, the slogan ought to be amended to “Come Home to Norfolk, except in Boss Burfoot’s Ward.”

This is just the latest in a string of actions taken by Burfoot. He held a public meeting and threw people out. At the last minute in the budget negotiations, he demanded $1.6 million for a park in Broad Creek, prompting the Pilot to write:

For nearly an hour, an emotional and at times caustic debate ensued. Most council members chastised Burfoot for bringing up such a large spending item at the last minute. Burfoot responded that the council doesn’t hesitate to spend that kind of money “at the drop of a hat” in downtown or Ocean View.

Burfoot said if he could not get money for his constituents, then the least he could get for them was tax relief, an apparent threat to vote against the budget. When Fraim asked Vice Mayor Daun S. Hester where she stood, she said she stood with Burfoot.

This from a guy who is thought to have impersonated a Chesapeake councilman.

In supporting his actions, the other members of council are complicit in allowing Burfoot to act this way.

What’s even worse is the three votes (Fraim, Wright and Hester) Burfoot got to enforce his law.

I’ve had conversations with developers who are unhappy with having to “kiss the ring,” so to speak, in order to get projects done. (I’ve actually heard that it is worse than just kissing the ring.) Council, and in particular Burfoot’s mentor, Daun Hester, have created something that they cannot control.

Somebody needs to clamp down on this guy – now. Such behavior is not good for the citizens of Ward 3 nor those of the city. Or else it’s time for somebody to start running for his seat in 2010.