The endorsements for Virginia Beach elections will appear in Sunday’s Virginian Pilot but are already available online. The bulk of the editorial is devoted to the mayor’s race. The Pilot endorsed Towne Bank president Will Sessoms over 4-term 5-term incumbent Meyera Oberndorf.
It needs someone with a vision for what Virginia Beach can become and a clear plan to make it happen. It needs someone comfortable with balance sheets and bond ratings as well as parades and ribbon-cuttings. Oberndorf has been more at home reading to children in the schools and going to civic league functions – noble, important work, but not the priorities today’s climate demands.
During the Base Closure and Realignment Committee hearings in Washington, D.C., for example, when the fate of Oceana Naval Air Station was at stake, Oberndorf was out of her league trying to make a case for keeping the base in Virginia Beach. In front of governors, senators and four-star generals, she was unprepared and, along with the other Virginia officials, defensive and unpersuasive.
Virginia Beach deserves a mayor who will never again put the city in that position.
For City Council, the paper endorses incumbents Rosemary Wilson (at-large) and Harry Diezel (Kempsville) as well as challenger Glen Davis (Rose Hall). For School Board, the Pilot endorsed incumbents Rita Sweet Bellitto (at-large) and Dan Edwards (Centerville) along with challenger Erika Walker-Cash (at-large) and Brent McKenzie (Rose Hall). Of the latter, the Pilot said:
His energetic, knowledgeable and articulate challenger, Brent McKenzie, would be a markedly better choice. McKenzie, a teacher at Norview High School in Norfolk, has worked in the revenue commissioner’s office and in the General Assembly as a legislative assistant. He has a good rapport with lawmakers and has been endorsed by three Beach delegates and two sitting School Board members. His relationships and his understanding of budgets would be great assets on the School Board.
Way to go, Brent!
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Actually, I believe that Meyera Oberndorf has served 5 terms as mayor (elected 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004). It should be an interesting race. Any feelings on how it might turn out?
You are correct, based on this. I was relying on something I read earlier that said she was seeking a fifth term. I fixed the post.
As for how it will turn out – well, I think Oberndorf will pull it out.
Hey Vivian–Are Virginia Beach elections nonpartisan like Richmond? Since Meyera Oberndorf is a Democrat, I think its amazing that she has continued to be re-elected in Virginia Beach. Why do you think she has never run for the state Senate, US House, etc.? Do you think the whole illegal immigration issue has hurt her?
Yes, VB’s elections are nonpartisan. But all politics is local and I think that’s why Meyera has been re-elected so many times. As for higher office – I think she did run for something but I can’t seem to find anything on it right now.
No, the illegal immigration issue hasn’t hurt her. I don’t recall it coming up in this race at all.
Ah here it is. She ran for state senate in 1979 (as a Republican) and lost, aborted a run in 1981, and lost in 1983 as an independent.
I found a reference to an attempt in 1998 by Democrats to get her to run again for state senate but the story is behind a firewall & I can’t get to it.
Viv,
Thanks for the publicity and nice words. I’m looking forward to Election Day. Talk to you soon.
Brent
Vivian–Thanks for that information and the link!
I abstained from the Beach Mayoral election because someone educated me that I really am not caught up on local issues. Please forgive me. But due to my occupation I find it impossible to keep up with things.
However I was severely tempted by Meyera Oberndorf’s advertisement where she claimed the endorsement of 2900 of the Beach’s police officers, fire fighters and teachers. 2900 has to be not just a majority, but most of them. But in the end I decided to honor my own decision to abstain. I hope those of you who are better informed choose wisely for me.
Dear Little David:
Care. Caution. Compassion.
These are Watchwords for Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf. Some accomplishments during Meyera Oberndorf’s tenure as Virginia Beach Mayor include: Economic Development and Job Creation More than 17,000 jobs and more than $300 million in revenue for VB were spared when Oceana Naval Station was saved from closure by the BRAC Commission. Procured the authority for and constructed the Lake Gaston Pipeline that supplies critically needed water to VB. Built Towne Center and the new Performing Arts Center attracting thousands of visitors and shoppers to Virginia Beach. Built the new Virginia Beach Convention Center attracting thousands of visitors weekly. Rehabilitated Atlantic Avenue resort area attracting thousands of Virginia Beach tourists annually. Meyera led the purchase of Princess Anne Commons (Lake Ridge). Public Education and Safety: Under Meyera’s leadership 21 elementary schools were built or refurbished. Under Mayor Meyera’s leadership, Virginia Beach has been consistently ranked as one of the safest of its size in the country. Built the oceanfront hurricane protection facility and operation “Big Beach”. Because of her consistent record, Meyera is proud that more than 2,900 Virginia Beach Teachers, Firefighters and Police Officers have endorsed her 2008 Re-Election Campaign. Other Notable Facts: Virginia Beach has been selected as one of the five best managed cities in the country by Syracuse University & Governing Magazine. Virginia Beach was selected in the October 2008 issue of Black Enterprise Magazine as one of the 20 Best Places to Retire in the country. Virginia Beach was selected by Ladies’ Home Journal Magazine as the #1 city in the entire country for women. Mayor Oberndorf was recognized by Newsweek Magazine as one of the 25 Most Dynamic Mayors in the U.S.
This is not a race to obstain from.
All the Best.
Vote Tomorrow!