Ed. — From the Sunday, Jan. 17, print edition.
COURTHOUSE — The City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 5, selected City Councilmember Jim Wood to continue in his role as vice mayor.
While mayors in Virginia Beach are directly elected by the people, vice mayors are chosen from among the elected members of the council by a majority of their peers.
Wood, a businessperson who represents the Lynnhaven District and is serving in his fifth term on the City Council, has been the vice mayor since January 2019.
The city named Wood vice mayor in an 8-3 vote during the meeting, which was held by electronic means due to restrictions related to the novel coronavirus pandemic. The other nominee for the position was City Councilmember Sabrina Wooten, who represents the Centerville District.
City Councilmember Rosemary Wilson, who holds an at-large seat, nominated Wood to return as vice mayor, adding that Wood has done much more than the perception of the job as a backup when the mayor isn’t available.
“In our situation, we rely on our vice mayor to fill in and communicate with all the council members, between the mayor and with staff, and really help us get along through a lot of different issues, protocols and especially during budget season. …
“He has done an outstanding job,” Wilson said, “and, as you can tell from his resume, that experience is extraordinary, and he’s someone that we really need to continue in this position.”
City Councilmember Aaron Rouse, who holds an at-large seat, nominated Wooten for the role, prefacing his remarks by saying he wanted a more “robust” conversation about selecting a vice mayor.
He also praised Wood during his remarks to his colleagues, saying he did a great job representing the city during his last term as vice mayor.
“Now, where we are come 2021, I think a different perspective and a different sense of leadership is needed for our city that will be more encompassing with different viewpoints from all of our different communities here in Virginia Beach,” Rouse said.
Speaking of Wooten, he added, “I think she would do a great job representing our city. I think she can speak to different perspectives, one that I think is missing now, and also I think with her record and going forward with Mayor Dyer, I think they both would do a solid job of making sure every member of council is heard from and also making sure every segment of our community is well represented.”
Wood had support from Mayor Bobby Dyer, Councilmembers Jessica Abbott, Michael Berlucchi, Barbara Henley, Louis Jones, John Moss, Wilson and himself. Rouse and Wooten supported Wooten’s nomination, as did City Councilmember Guy Tower.
“Congratulations Mr. Vice Mayor,” Dyer said after the vote, “and, Ms. Wooten, thank you for being willing to step to the plate with Mr. Rouse’s glowing endorsement.”
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