Support of public safety workers, return to recycling among top issues in Chesapeake City Council race
Candidates seeking seats on the Chesapeake City Council say continued support of public safety workers and a return to curbside recycling are among the most pressing issues facing the city.
Thirteen candidates are competing on the November ballot for five at-large seats. Vice Mayor John de Triquet is seeking his eighth term, while councilwomen Ella Ward and Susan Vitale are pursuing their fifth and second, respectively.
The city ended its contract with TFC Recycling earlier this year as a cost-saving measure to fund other priorities, such as pay raises for public safety workers, in the 2022-23 budget. Before then, Chesapeake was the only city in Hampton Roads that didn’t charge for recycling services.
Before the budget was adopted, de Triquet attempted to save curbside recycling by suggesting a $15 fee in addition to lowering the real estate tax rate by 4.5 cents, but the motion failed 5-4.
De Triquet, 73, told The Virginian-Pilot those remain priorities for him. He added that the city must continue to balance its rate of residential and commercial growth and build on progress made with increased pay for public safety workers and educators.
Ward was among the council members who voted for de Triquet’s motion, and if elected, she wants to continue advocating for both measures. As a retired Portsmouth Public Schools administrator and former Chesapeake School Board member, Ward also said ensuring schools are funded and providing a quality education is another priority.
Ward, 76, has also been a board member of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and the Hampton Roads Transportation Organization for more than 14 years.
Ward and Vitale, 55, praised the current council’s support for improving internet access and connectivity, a need they said was evident throughout the pandemic. Vitale said a portion of the broadband ring being constructed can be leased out to businesses, which helps the city generate more revenue.
Vitale also said she wants to improve the city’s tax relief program for senior adults by raising the taxable total income cap from $350,000 to $450,000.
Vitale is managing director at Microsoft Corporation and spent more than 20 years as a U.S. Navy intelligence officer.
Amanda Newins, 30, is the top fundraiser in the race so far, bringing in nearly $42,000 since the start of 2022. Newins, a lawyer and vice president of the Chesapeake Bar Association, said the City Council has made progress with increased pay for law enforcement officers, but added it’s not enough as other cities are still offering more.
Newins also said the council needs to do more to make the process of bringing a business to Chesapeake easier. She suggested reducing the license fees and taxes to help businesses get started and “moving in the right direction.”
Newins’ campaign season saw some controversy earlier this month, when a civil suit was filed against her by her great aunt, Shirley B. Davis. The elderly woman alleges Newins mistreated her and her late husband in addition to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and property from them.
Newins’ attorney, Alison Zizzo, called the lawsuit “baseless” and believes it’s politically motivated as it’s “so close in time to an important election.”
Newins has received support from about 20 elected leaders and officials despite the allegations, including Mayor Rick West, councilwoman Debbie Ritter and de Triquet.
Les Smith Jr., 61, said he’s disappointed the city hasn’t been progressive enough and hasn’t attracted enough businesses that provide entertainment and recreational amenities, such as convention centers and sports facilities. He also said the city isn’t planning well enough in advance or investing properly for its infrastructure needs.
Smith, self-employed in the financial industry, spent nearly 30 years with the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Department.
Candidates Daniel Whitaker and N. Baxter Ennis said they would have supported de Triquet’s motion for recycling and reducing taxes. Whitaker said having more “like-minded” people on the council could make such efforts easier.
Whitaker, 46, is the president and owner of D2W Electric Inc., an electrical contracting company in Chesapeake.
Ennis, 69, is a council-appointed member of the Chesapeake Hospital Authority and said the city should be promoting the quality health care provided by Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. He spent 21 years in the U.S. Army.
Santiera Brown-Yearling, a respiratory therapist, said in addition to recycling services, residents have told her they’re concerned about flooding and the lack of bike lanes and other pedestrian-friendly amenities.
C. Jeff Bunn, a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway, spent almost 40 years with the city’s economic development and parks and recreation departments. Bunn said the city should prioritize and promote tourism as it’s a great way to generate additional tax revenue. He spent 14 years on the Chesapeake School Board.
Karen Moultrie, an analyst at Defense Logistics Agency in Portsmouth, said she’s running to improve communication with and provide more resources to underrepresented communities, particularly those made up of minorities. Moultrie said more recreational opportunities should be provided in those areas, for example.
Moultrie reported to The Pilot that she received a doctorate degree in executive leadership from the University of Charleston, but the school confirmed Thursday that she left the program before obtaining the degree.
In a phone interview Thursday, Moultrie acknowledged the university has informed her that she’s a few credits short of the degree. But she said she’s still enrolled and working to complete the credits.
Candidates B.D. Knowles, Brian Scott Economy and Patricia King did not respond to requests for an interview.
Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com
