Smigiel announces for Norfolk Council

Tommy Smigiel, the Virginia Teacher of the Year in 2007, has announced that he is running for Norfolk City Council. He is seeking to represent Ward 5, a seat currently occupied by Randy Wright.

Smigiel is a lifelong resident of Norfolk and a resident of Ocean View. He graduated from Norview High School and Old Dominion University. In his announcement, Smigiel, an assistant principal, said that he will make neighborhoods and schools a priority.

“I believe our neighborhoods and schools have been neglected and ignored by the city for too long.  While the city has funded millions of dollars in downtown projects – some of which have failed or gone over budget – criminals have been allowed to infiltrate our neighborhoods.  Lack of infrastructure and flooding are not being addressed.  Assessments and taxes are penalizing homeowners. Our children are in schools with leaking roofs and outdated materials, yet are criticized by some City Council members when state benchmarks are missed.”

Smigiel continued, “I am running for Council because I believe it is time that Ocean View was represented by someone who listens and understands.  I believe our citizens, my neighbors, want a representative that spends his time improving their neighborhoods and lives while protecting their pocketbooks, not selling them out to absentee slumlords and letting gangs and prostitutes run their communities.”

The election for Norfolk City Council will take place May 4, 2010.

Way to go, Tommy!

The entire press release is below the fold.

For Immediate release
September 11, 2009

Former Virginia Teacher of the Year to run for City Council Tommy Smigiel will be a champion for our neighborhoods and schools

OCEAN VIEW, NORFOLK – Thomas “Tommy” Richard Smigiel, Jr., a lifetime resident of Norfolk, announced today that he will run for the Ward 5 seat on Norfolk City Council.  The Election will take place on May 4, 2010.  Tommy is an Ocean View native and was raised in the Bayview section of Norfolk.  An award winning educator, Tommy has dedicated his professional career to helping the children of Norfolk be successful in school and their personal lives.  Tommy was recognized as the 2007 Norfolk Teacher of the Year and subsequently was selected as the 2008 Virginia Teacher of the Year and finalist for National Teacher of the Year.

Smigiel will make neighborhoods and schools his number one priority.  Tommy stated, “I believe our neighborhoods and schools have been neglected and ignored by the city for too long.  While the city has funded millions of dollars in downtown projects – some of which have failed or gone over budget – criminals have been allowed to infiltrate our neighborhoods.  Lack of infrastructure and flooding are not being addressed.  Assessments and taxes are penalizing homeowners. Our children are in schools with leaking roofs and outdated materials, yet are criticized by some City Council members when state benchmarks are missed.”

Smigiel continued, “I am running for Council because I believe it is time that Ocean View was represented by someone who listens and understands.  I believe our citizens, my neighbors, want a representative that spends his time improving their neighborhoods and lives while protecting their pocketbooks, not selling them out to absentee slumlords and letting gangs and prostitutes run their communities.”

Smigiel is committed to government transparency.  He stated, “I will not support closed door discussions.  If it can’t be discussed in public, then it is not good business for the city.”

Tommy Smigiel attended St. Pius X Catholic Primary School and graduated from Norview High School.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Old Dominion University and his Master’s Degree in Education from Cambridge College.  Tommy returned to his own school, and taught Science and Leadership at Norview High School for eight years.  He is in his second year as an Assistant Principal at Granby High School.

Smigiel understood at a young age the importance of giving back to the community.  As a teenager he volunteered his summers at Tarrallton Recreation Center and coordinated fundraisers for Operation Smile and the Northside Community Park Playground.  Tommy continued his service to the community as an officer and board member of the East Ocean View Civic League, coordinating neighborhood clean-ups and the community newsletter. Because of his activism, Tommy was appointed by City Council to the Norfolk Environmental Commission and is active in promoting a cleaner, environmentally friendly city.  Tommy has helped organize and fundraise for Norfolk’s Relay for Life.  His students have been inspired to get involved as well, raising thousands of dollars and volunteering countless hours to Norfolk charities.

His wife Shannon is a Norfolk Public Schools Elementary guidance counselor, and they have two daughters – Devin and Erin.  They currently reside in East Ocean View.

For questions, please contact Tommy Smigiel at 757-214-1663 or via email at SmigielWard5@cox.net.  Because he is an assistant principal, he is only available after school for interviews but will make every effort to respond promptly to your inquiry.