LOCAL ISSUES:
Economy: We must create an environment that encourages businesses to locate in Chesapeake and grow in Chesapeake. Bringing diverse businesses, including manufacturing, retail, tourism, professional services, and others will provide job opportunities for our citizens. Those who are willing and able to work should be able to find a job in our city.
Infrastructure: Our infrastructure needs have been grossly underfunded and ignored over the years. We must maintain and build adequate roads and bridges, ensure sanitation systems are secure, meet our energy demands of the future, and protect our air and water from pollutants.
Commerce is essential to the city and to the Hampton Roads region as a whole. Road projects as outlined by the MPO must be funded in order to keep our city, our region, and our port thriving. Growing our economy by stimulating commerce will allow our localities to reduce real estate taxes. In addition, funding our transportation needs is essential to ensure adequate evacuation routes in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. I support funding these transportation needs with measures that minimize the impact on our citizens, particularly those on a fixed income.
Public Safety: Providing safety for all the citizens of Chesapeake is a fundamental role of government. The city of Chesapeake has a critical need for adequate police officers and public safety equipment. Supporting initiatives that encourage police officer recruitment and retention is essential to public safety. Providing competitive salaries and benefits is an essential component of my plan.
Education: Our public schools produce the future leaders of our city, state and nation. They are essential to providing a workforce prepared to meet the future workplace needs. We must ensure that our children have a safe learning environment free of gangs and drugs. Our growing gang problem must be addressed and aggressively tackled. Cooperation between city and school leadership will be required in order to make a difference. Codes of ethics should be considered as a foundation to character development of our future leaders.
Tax Burden: The best way to provide the many services enjoyed by citizens is to stimulate the economy by encouraging businesses (private sector) to come and grow in Chesapeake. It is imperative that we create an economic environment that will encourage private-sector job growth to reduce the tax burden on Chesapeake citizens.
