Ed. — The following are responses to questions posed by The Independent News to candidates in the election for the District 9 seat on the Virginia Beach City Council. Answers to our questions in this series generally are not edited, aside from obvious punctuation issues, spacing and formatting, or for clarity. The print edition containing our full voter guide is now on stands through this coming weekend.
- News coverage about races in Virginia Beach is at this link.
- News coverage about voting system changes is at this link.
- Please reach John Doucette, the editor, with any questions or concerns via email.
- Find the main page for the complete 2022 voter guide at this link.
T.J. MORGAN
- Residence: Chesapeake Beach – “Chic’s Beach”
- Age: 56
- Occupation: Chiropractor/Gym Owner/Professional Bodybuilder
- Military Service/Education: Kempsville High School 1984, University of Richmond 1989, Life University 1993 and Texas Chiropractic 2006
- Endorsements: Dr. Clancy Holland, Kendall Tata and Dr. Truman Baxter
- Website: votetjmorgan.com
- Phone: (757) 498-8455
- Email: tjforvbcitycouncil@gmail.com
- Social Media: @tjmorganforvirginiabeachcitycouncil on Facebook, @tjmorganforcitycouncil on Instagram and @tjcitycouncil on Twitter
What are your specific qualifications for this office? I have owned and operated Morgan Wellness Center and Chix Beach Gym since 1993 so I understand what it takes to survive in business in an ever-changing economy. I have been the President of the Chic’s Beach Civic League which covers the largest borough in Virginia Beach. As the president it has given me lots of experience as a leader in a very diverse community which includes both party affiliations. I have coached high school football for the last 25 years and understand the meaning of teamwork, persistence, and sacrifice. I have my Doctorate in Chiropractic. In my profession I must work with people everyday and diagnose the cause of problems to find the solutions and communicate that effectively. I feel the combination of these experiences gives me unique qualifications for City Council.
I believe our children need opportunities to succeed in this global economy that are not being met entirely. I would like to see if we can look at adding another vocational school in District 9 in the Diamond Springs Road corridor that would offer apprenticeship programs as carpenters, plumbers, and electricians in the Northern region of Virginia Beach where we have so many students who are not college bound.
What is the most important issue facing the city and how will you address it in office? Smart Economic Development that will grow our local economy and develop a prepared work force.
Create more and better housing. The best way to bring more affordable housing to Virginia Beach is to stop preventing or limiting developers from building more affordable housing in our city.
Affordable housing does not just come in the form of just single-family homes, duplexes, and apartments. It can be facilitated by encouraging small-scale housing options like accessory dwelling units, tiny homes, and micro-apartments to name a few.
Our zoning laws, parking requirements, and even building codes need to be updated to allow for more mixed-use and multi-family housing options. If I am fortunate enough to be elected to City Council, I will be open-minded and will be an advocate for the creation of more affordable housing option in our great city.
What are your three main policy priorities?
- Safer Communities by prioritizing public safety and giving our police, fire, and emergency responders the funding and resources needed to keep these professionals and our citizens safe.
- The Best Schools by promoting education and ensuring a safe and productive learning environment for students, teachers, and parents.
- Better Mental Health Services by re-evaluating our views regarding those with mental health challenges and make proper professional care available and accessible to those in need.
Should city services such as water and sewer be extended south of Indian River Road to promote development of rural communities? At this time — and I repeat at this time — I do not believe we should extend water and sewer services south of Indian River Road until the benefit to the citizens overwhelmingly outweighs the cost. Future capital improvement investments may be reevaluated when it becomes a more obvious priority.
Do you support the agricultural reserve program, or ARP? Should its dedicated funding be maintained at a consistent level? I think the Agricultural Preserve Program or ARP is a very smart way to maintain a large geographical green space in our unique city. I would support maintaining the funding that was decided by City Council. Agriculture is a $130 million industry in our city that cultivates a wide range of crops and activities such as fruits, vegetables, livestock, and greenhouse operations. Maintaining the diversity of Virginia Beach is what gives it such appeal.
Do you believe nonfarming businesses should be allowed on agriculturally zoned land in the rural area of the city? I personally believe there are certain types of small businesses that may have a little or zero carbon emissions that would be acceptable. I like that we still have a large equine community in the southern portion of Virginia Beach. The Pungo Strawberry Festival is one of my personal favorites and I believe that businesses that are confined to an art or craft that utilizes our home-grown resources should be allowed.
Do you support the city’s successful appeal of Holloway v. Virginia Beach voting rights case, which may mean the 10-district system under which you are running may change? I personally like a system much like our state in that we have the delegates, senators, and Governor. I would like to see a voting system in Virginia Beach that is similar. The smaller districts maintain opportunities for candidates that are maybe less known outside of their communities and allows them to compete and represent them. The large super wards encompass a candidate that has a larger constituency that gives them a larger perspective view of the city region they represent. Lastly it gives the mayor more of a mandate position when they win the support of the entire city.
It is likely the new City Council will need to reconsider our local voting system following the Holloway v. Virginia Beach reversal in the appeals court. How should the council do this while engaging citizens? I believe the City Council should do a thorough evaluation of several types of potential voting systems in an open forum. Then they should take the top three and let the citizens decide in a special vote.
How should the city address concerns about sea level rise and recurrent flooding aside from projects funded via last year’s referendum? Ways to address concerns about sea level rise and recurrent flooding are to explore adaptation strategies by area of interest. For instance, the northern portion of Virginia Beach has many lakes that can be utilized and customized as a natural in-flow of stormwater through weirs.
The southern rural areas can be protected by maintaining drainage ditches that feed into natural lands with lots of permeable ground and forestation.
Has the city done enough to help the restaurant and hospitality industry recover from shutdowns related to the pandemic? In my opinion the restaurant and hospitality industry were one of the most affected types of businesses from the pandemic. Some have been able to adapt and overcome the social distancing guidelines and restrictions, but many have not based on their business model and location. I think it would be a good idea for the city to consider investigating some creative ways to incentivize consumers and help drive them to these industries.
JOHN D. MOSS
- Residence: Witchduck Point
- Age: 68
- Occupation: At-large Council Member and retired 42-year Navy civilian
- Military Service/Education: U.S. Naval War College (senior officer class) M.S. 2000; John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Senior Federal Fellows Programs 1999; Old Dominion University MPA 1978; VT TECH B.A. 1976, and Princess Anne High School 1972
- Endorsements: State Sen. Bill DeSteph, Virginia Beach School Board Member Carolyn Weems and former City Councilmember Nancy Parker
- Website: councilmanjohnmoss.com
- Phone: (757) 636-1534
- Email: johndmoss4109@gmail.com
- Social Media: @councilmanjohnmoss on Facebook
What are your specific qualifications for this office? I have served on City Council as an At-large Member from 2011 to present, as an At-large Member 1992 to 1995, and the Kempsville Borough Member 1986 to 1990. During all those terms served as liaison to various council commissions. I have done the job. I judge I have done the job well. Yet, it is the voters’ judgment on my last four years that counts.
Served as a DOD civilian for 41 years prior to retirement holding various positions responsible for resource management and warfare requirements. I retired from the position as the Director for Submarine Warfare Programs, Warfare Development and readiness for Commander Submarine Forces. The Secretary of the Navy recognized by 42 years of contributions with the Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the highest award a Navy civilian can received. I was part the leadership team that built and executed and $22 billion annual program to deliver undersea warfare capabilities and capacity to advance the nation’s defense and military readiness advantage.
What is the most important issue facing the city and how will you address it in office? Keeping local government (city and schools) affordable – not pricing residents of Virginia Beach out of Virginia Beach. First, adopt the revenue neutral real estate tax rate as the default source for budget guidance and revenue growth would be limited to growth in transactional revenues at current rates for the City Manager’s recommendation.
Keeping on schedule with the execution stormwater projects and elimination of the maintenance backlog on legacy systems of ponds/lakes, canals, ditches, and piping. Oversight by Council and the Citizen Bond Referendum Oversight Committee.
Public safety – incrementally increase size of the police force and new academy.
What are your three main policy priorities?
- Public Safety: Specifically growing the size of our police force, which requires building a new law 21st Century law enforcement academy, and continuing initiatives to improve retention and recruitment.
- Flood mitigation. Effective and efficient execution of the Bond Referendum flood prevention projects and accelerated work down of maintenance backlog
- Affordable government. Elimination of the local sales tax on food, refund fifty percent of last year’s budget surplus back to Beach residents, phasing the meal tax down from 5.5 cents to 2 cents on top of the six-cents sales tax by a quarter percent over the next two years and then half-cent per year for the next four-years, which enables revenue growth to facilitate the reduction, and economic development to grow non-residential revenues.
Should city services such as water and sewer be extended south of Indian River Road to promote development of rural communities? No.
Do you support the agricultural reserve program, or ARP? Should its dedicated funding be maintained at a consistent level? No and No. If a City Council majority maintains the Green Line and does not self-fund or subsidize the extension of water and sewer south of the Green Line there is no need to buy development rights that cannot take place anyway. Additionally, the City’s Stormwater Management regulations creates capital cost of compliance in the transition area that makes future development very difficult at workable price points.
Do you believe nonfarming businesses should be allowed on agriculturally zoned land in the rural area of the city? No. This would require significant public engagement and study before I would consider this option. I give the status quo benefit of the doubt. I did not vote for the de facto authorized convention facility south of the Green Line.
Do you support the city’s successful appeal of Holloway v. Virginia Beach voting rights case, which may mean the 10-district system under which you are running may change? Yes. I supported the appeal that resulted in a moot judgment and no legal liability for the city to pay the plaintiff’s legal fees. I did not concur in Federal Judge Jackson’s ruling on the applicability of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to Virginia Beach. I supported sustaining the autonomy of Beach residents working with their elected City Council to draw district lines rather a Federal District Court appointed special master from California. I was on the losing side of a 6 to 5 vote to have a referendum on district system in August of 2021.
It is likely the new City Council will need to reconsider our local voting system following the Holloway v. Virginia Beach reversal in the appeals court. How should the council do this while engaging citizens? Council should not be in a rush to get something in front of the General Assembly. Council and the public should engage in extended deliberations. All stakeholders must be at the table. It may take multiple working groups that feed an executive committee to narrow down the options for more focused public vetting. Until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the Alabama Section 2 case on its docket, options should not be finalized for a referendum vote.
How should the city address concerns about sea level rise and recurrent flooding aside from projects funded via last year’s referendum? Mitigating sea level rise (prediction is 1.5 feet by 2050 and 3.0 feet by 2100 or could be supplanted by higher numbers) requires staying the course on a multigenerational scalable investment program built on dynamic policy evolution, soft solutions, hard solutions funded by local, state, federal and private funding. Financing our legacy and newly created stormwater discharge capability and capacity requires a sustained commitment; a sustained commitment that should be funded to the extent possible with revenue growth at current tax rates.
Has the city done enough to help the restaurant and hospitality industry recover from shutdowns related to the pandemic? Yes, from a direct support perspective. There is more that we need to do from broader perspective. What needs to be done are action items which benefit all Beach residents. Specifically, lower the meal tax, increase the size of the police force and additional investment in technology to align with the growth in population and its geographic dispersion, mental health services in partnership with the state, various fiscal policies to make government more affordable, and increase faith in free enterprise increase economic growth rates. What grows transactions from residents will also grow transactions from visitors.
JOASHUA “JOASH” SCHULMAN
- Residence: Thoroughgood
- Age: 43
- Occupation: Attorney and Managing Partner of Town Center Office Suites
- Military Service/Education: Michigan State University College of Law, East Lansing, MI: J.D., Magna Cum Laude, 2005; Michigan State University – James Madison College, East Lansing, MI: B.A., International Relations, 2002
- Endorsements: Virginia Beach Police Benevolent Association, Local 34; Virginia Beach Professional Fire & EMS, Local 2924; Virginia Beach Education Association (PACE)
- Website: schulman4vb.com
- Phone: (757) 687-8168
- Email: info@schulman4vb.com
- Social Media: @schulman4vb on Facebook and Instagram
What are your specific qualifications for this office? I care deeply about the future of our city, and I am ready to lead. I plan on bringing a voice of collaboration to our City Council. I want to help create opportunities for our children to thrive and remain here, instead of leaving for other markets. I’ve volunteered in city-wide and regional initiatives for 12 years and I’ve developed great relationships with our elected and regional civic leaders. I have a reputation for being a listener and a steady, reasoned voice in the room. I am a leader in our business community and serve as Vice President of Virginia Beach Vision, Board Secretary of the Central Business District Association, and a member of the Regional Board of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. I volunteer as a mentor in our schools and helped establish a scholarship program for seniors at Princess Anne High School who exhibit a desire to remain in, or return to, Virginia Beach upon graduation and make a difference in our community. I’m a steward of our environment and serve as Chair of our city’s Wetlands Board, a Board Member of Lynnhaven River Now and I’ve volunteered on the city’s Forest Conservation and Reforestation Working Group.
What is the most important issue facing the city and how will you address it in office? Our most important issue is how we can continue to grow as a city while being mindful of the challenges presented by sea level rise, recurrent flooding and while also respecting the integrity and character of our many unique neighborhoods. We’ve experienced relatively stagnant population growth over the years, and we are trending older. To grow our economy, we must invest in and promote our city as a vibrant place to live, work and play.
We can do so through public art and cultural investments, neighborhood revitalization, and by leveraging our quality-of-life attributes with the intention of creating public spaces that promote peoples’ health, happiness, and sense of well-being. We should grow sustainably by renewing our commitment to the Strategic Growth Areas Plan, which is predicated upon the concept of creating density in places that have the infrastructure to support growth, instead of sprawling into environmentally sensitive and flood-prone areas.
What are your three main policy priorities? Improved transportation and stormwater infrastructure, neighborhood revitalization and sustainable economic growth. I’d like to gather stakeholders to update and finally implement the (now 20+ year-old) Shore Drive Corridor Plan (to include flood adaptation measures in the Joint Land Use Study and Sea Level Wise studies) to create a safer, walkable, bikeable, landscaped environment.
Annually, more than 6 million visitors travel across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to our community. Our residents and guests deserve a better sense of arrival in this gateway to our city. Neighborhoods need to be better connected to parks and rec centers and to nearby restaurants and retail. We have many aging shopping centers in our city.
With our changing economy, and the amount of impervious surface occupied by underutilized parking areas, we should focus on redeveloping these areas in ways that reflect and improve the character of surrounding neighborhoods while being mindful of flooding challenges.
Should city services such as water and sewer be extended south of Indian River Road to promote development of rural communities? No.
Do you support the agricultural reserve program, or ARP? Should its dedicated funding be maintained at a consistent level? Yes, and yes.
Do you believe nonfarming businesses should be allowed on agriculturally zoned land in the rural area of the city? As a general rule, no. I believe we should preserve and protect our agricultural industry. If anything, I’d be interested in working with the District 2 representative to see what, if any, agritourism initiatives might be acceptable on agriculturally zoned lands.
Do you support the city’s successful appeal of Holloway v. Virginia Beach voting rights case, which may mean the 10-district system under which you are running may change? I agree that district representatives should be elected by the residents within that district. I am not a supporter of an all at-large system. I will acknowledge that a 10-1 system does present some potential concerns for me. In a city as large as ours, big issues know no district boundaries. Candidates should be familiar with city-wide issues because, if elected, they’ll be expected to make informed decisions about issues that impact everyone.
It is likely the new City Council will need to reconsider our local voting system following the Holloway v. Virginia Beach reversal in the appeals court. How should the council do this while engaging citizens? I would not be opposed to a few at-large seats on our City Council so that we have a few people accountable to all voters – but that is just my own opinion, and I understand and respect the fact that people do feel differently about the issue. How we elect our public servants is a fundamental question and the answer must rest with the people. If the issue were to be revisited it would need to be accompanied by robust public engagement, a fairly worded ballot question that shows no bias or preference in outcomes, and in compliance with state law.
How should the city address concerns about sea level rise and recurrent flooding aside from projects funded via last year’s referendum? While we’ve made significant investments to address flooding with the passage of the referendum, our strategy to address sea level rise remains unresolved and unfunded. We should continue to engage our State/Federal partners, but also be open to alternative funding sources, like grants from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and sustainable cities programs. We should protect our wetlands and preserve and enhance our tree canopy because trees combat erosion and help absorb water and return it to the air. We should consider a regional BMP and employ solutions like the Bow Creek Stormwater Park to direct floodwaters away from residences.
Has the city done enough to help the restaurant and hospitality industry recover from shutdowns related to the pandemic? Considering the pandemic presented us with an unprecedented situation, I think the city did a good job helping our restaurant and hospitality industry. I give credit to our Mayor for pushing hard to get our beaches open. Our City Council wisely amended our outdoor dining ordinance and city staff worked diligently to implement the new rules and inspection processes. The city also administered several rounds of emergency assistance grants to our restaurant and hospitality industry. In retrospect, perhaps the communication about available resources could have been better, but the efforts put forward by the city saved many businesses from failing.
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