Yes, I took a couple of hours last night and attended the Norfolk candidates’ forum.
I should have stayed at work.
There was a stark contrast between the incumbents, Daun Hester and Barclay Winn, and the challengers, Dwight “Coach” McDowell and Jack Stiles. While I applaud the willingness of the challengers to step up and run, that alone is not enough. Incumbents have a built-in advantage in their knowledge of the intricacies of how our government works (something, suprisingly enough, not demonstrated by the three questions that came from the Chamber of Commerce, who hosted the event), which requires challengers have at least a basic grasp of the issues. That neither was able to demonstrate that last night was bothersome.
Norfolk is filled with bright and talented people who love our city and are committed to it. One has to wonder why so few are willing to run for office, especially when the surrounding cities seem to have no shortage of candidates.
In any case, the Virginian Pilot should have no trouble following my lead and endorsing Hester and Winn for re-election.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
hey what can i say , i did my best i will still hit the doors and do my best, win or lost i know i did my best. thank you for anyone who showed up last night.
“Norfolk is filled with bright and talented people who love our city and are committed to it. One has to wonder why so few are willing to run for office, especially when the surrounding cities seem to have no shortage of candidates.”
We probably ought to ask you to answer that question for us. Would you consider running again?
Jack – I know you’re doing your best and you even knocked on my door (although you probably didn’t know that). Just remember one thing: no swearing in public 😉
anon – I’ll be announcing one way or the other in November, after the election.
i did say sorry.
Yes Vivian, after my recent dealing with a “certain” antiquated city office that offered poor service and is stuck in the 80s, I do hope you will run to help change that.
I’m not going to name the office, but it’s nice to pay online for things! 🙂
… “Norfolk is filled with bright and talented people who love our city and are committed to it. One has to wonder why so few are willing to run for office … ”
It’s called the “powers that be,” Vivian. Some call them the “made its.” Those are politicians who actively discourage and even prevent others from running. I worked for a Norfolk politician for over two years, for example, who’d terminate anyone working in the office who expressed political aspirations other than serving “at the pleasure of” the herself. This individual even went so far as to investigate employment applicants for expressed political aspirations. This individual, a Hester girl, is still in office.
maybe people are burnout by the system, it is very hard to run for public office but somtimes you have to. the system is not broken it is the people that have been elected that have boken it, to make change you have to fight for it, somtimes you need some faith keep the faith , relax and things will work out.
I also was at this event and I must say that I think Coach McDowell did very well. He is what the people of Norfolk need. Barclay Winn was his always charming self. As for Ms.Hester, I say its time for change.