The Issues
Spending for us.
Politicians tend to spend others money, taxpayers money, as if it was not their own. There has to be a time to prioritize what is right for this city, its citizens, and bring a common sense approach to spending.
Each area in Norfolk, each area within a ward, sees its own priorities and at times it appears that one ward becomes jealous of another’s success in receiving certain funds.
At the same time, Norfolk as a whole must realize the economic benefit that Ward One brings to this city and state. Ward One is the economic engine of the Commonwealth through the ports and the roads that run through it. Ward One can become the economic engine of the city through Wards Corner and its redevelopment.
Wards Corner
The revitalization of the Wards Corner area is a priority.
Many politicians come before civic leagues and say they want better schools and will be hard on crime. Those same individuals, however, often lose focus on what the real cause of the problem is.
The revitalization of the Wards Corner area, in and just outside of Ward One, will bring jobs, education and opportunity to the residents that live along the Little Creek Road corridor to Titustown, and up Granby Street and North to the Pretlow Library.
A plan has been in place since 2004 and advocated for in the past, but nothing seems to have become a priority with the City.
Wards Corner will be mine.
In these tough times, federal funding and state funding may not be available, but rebuilding Wards Corner through infrastructure construction, grants, tax abatements, and NRHA funds can happen.
Once businesses move in, hotels are constructed, and homes are occupied, citizens will have a renewed sense of purpose and pride in our place – Wards Corner.
Flooding
Mason Creek at Northside and Willoughby flood with nor’easters and hurricanes. And while sand dune replenishment has been one of the greatest buffers for the Willoughby area, folks in the Mason Creek area need help.
I pledge to involve the local, state and federal government – including the Navy - to examine and do everything possible to save homes in these flood areas, because nobody should have to fear the sound of thunder or falling rain.