Empower voters
The Virginia Beach redistricting referendum has too often been framed as a debate over “developer influence” or “partisan politics.” That’s wrong; this is about our individual voting rights. The referendum will determine not only how many candidates you can vote for, but whether you can vote for or against someone in each election. In the next City Council election, a majority of seats on the City Council and School Board will be up for grabs, yet more than 126,000 voters may be unable to cast a ballot. That is deeply concerning.
The 7-3-1 system balances district representation with broader voter influence. Under this system, you keep your district representative and gain three additional opportunities to vote for — or against — candidates who best reflect your interests and family values in guiding the city and school system.
This referendum presents a fundamental choice: Do we prefer voting for a single-district representative in every other election or voting for multiple City Council members in every election? Controversial issues will arise annually, and regardless of your stance on development, or parental involvement in schools, you must decide for more than one person to truly represent your priorities.
Ultimately, this is about voter empowerment. The 7-3-1 system lets you evaluate the full field of candidates for mayor, City Council and School Board, and vote for those who align with your values and against those who do not. This is your chance to ensure your voice matters in shaping the future of Virginia Beach. The 10-1 system takes away your voting power. Vote no.
Bruce Thompson, Virginia Beach
Illegal signs
For several months now the public roadsides of Virginia Beach have seen “Vote No on 10-1” signs pop up in vast numbers, only to eventually see them be removed by city employees. Once removed, hundreds of new signs go up, and are again taken down by the city. While the signs’ misrepresentation of the issue is galling, the more offensive actions are the cavalier way the “Vote No” group routinely violates the city’s laws regarding placement of signs, as well as its corresponding disregard for taxpayer resources.
As citizens are not allowed to remove political signs on public roadsides, city resources are repeatedly spent to do this job. Why would I want a group that is so wasteful in the spending of taxpayer funds to be in control of City Council? I am voting “yes” if only to make sure this coalition that plays fast and loose with our tax dollars does not end up in charge of the city coffers.
Craig Grube, Virginia Beach
Winsome Earle-Sears
Let’s hope Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears loses this time. Seldom have I seen an angrier or more mean-spirited person seeking a position of power than the Republican nominee for governor of Virginia. The only one who comes to mind is the sitting president, and we are seeing how destructive that can be.
Both Earle-Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares seem to have a streak that runs very deep with anger.
Most people realize we are all flawed and regret things we have said in anger and frustration, and when these statements come back on us we like to think we are contrite enough and big enough to apologize sincerely and acknowledge our poor judgment. That is what Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones has done over and over and yet to no avail. There are no second chances on the Earle-Sears/Miyares score card.
To elect these two people and allow them to continue in the footsteps of our present governor would be a travesty. Their total control of our school systems throughout the state, the continuation of removing Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the government jobs lost, the denial of supporting our efforts at improving our waterways, not attempting to encourage opening up the government to save Obamacare and all the help programs that go into feeding schoolchildren and helping families with SNAP to mention just a few, is what you will get with this ticket. They are all in lockstep with the president.
Think for yourself and your fellow man and vote Democratic nominee for governor and former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Jones.
Susie Rixey, Virginia Beach
Jay Jones
There’s something I don’t understand about the furor over Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones wishing that a Republican legislator were dead.
I don’t condone his desire, but Jones didn’t kill anyone. Policies championed by the president of the United States and Republican legislators, on the other hand, have caused the deaths of multiple American residents and, if they get their way, will kill thousands more. I haven’t heard word one from their supporters criticizing these very real deaths. What am I missing?
Rabbi Ellen Jaffe-Gill, Virginia Beach
Chesapeake treasurer
Chesapeake residents will be electing a new treasurer on Nov. 4. I encourage Chesapeake citizens to vote for Wendy Roenker. Both candidates worked for me when I was city treasurer. Roenker has worked as counsel to the treasurer for 16 years. She regularly works directly with citizens who struggle paying their taxes.
Over the years, she has developed a deep understanding of all areas of the office, as well as all the tax and investment structures. Roenker has also been the treasurer’s liaison to the city’s tax modernization project since the beginning and has the knowledge to lead its implementation, updating and improving citizens’ experiences with the treasurer’s office online.
Of the two people running, Roenker is the most suitable and qualified to become the next city treasurer.
Barbara O. Carraway, former Chesapeake city treasurer, Chesapeake
Commonwealth’s attorney
While my then-wife was attending college to earn a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, Commonwealth’s Attorney Colin Stolle came to her school and gave a lecture about his office and the scope of his responsibilities. Stolle can also be seen at many different events and speaks regularly at the Republican Party breakfast held each Saturday in Virginia Beach.
Several years afterward, a cousin of mine was prosecuted by Stolle’s office for a rather shocking, inexcusable crime. A crime for which he was absolutely guilty. Despite being a friend for many years but due to ethical and legal restrictions, Stolle could not nor would he discuss the matter with me, even in the broadest terms, to protect the integrity of the case.
After securing a felony conviction, a tough prison term was handed down and the matter being concluded, I personally thanked Stolle for his steadfast commitment to public safety, legal ethics and the rule of law, no matter who the defendant happened to be.
While other city’s prosecutors are giving dangerous people dozens upon dozens of “second chances” only to victimize other innocent citizens, Stolle is the only candidate for commonwealth’s attorney Virginia Beach can trust with a proven track record of being the right man in the right job at this point in our city’s history.
Jimmy Frost, Virginia Beach
Election letters
We are no longer accepting letters related to the Nov. 4 general election and this is the final day we’ll be publishing those we’ve received. Please take time to cast a ballot during early voting through Saturday or on Election Day.
