COURTHOUSE — The Virginia Beach City Council chose Rosemary Wilson to serve as its next vice mayor during a special meeting on Thursday, Sept. 23, at City Hall.
Wilson, a realtor who previously served on the School Board, has served on City Council since 2000, and she holds an at-large seat. She was selected to be vice mayor by her colleagues from among three candidates who sought to replace former Vice Mayor Jim Wood following his recent resignation.
The vice mayor is chosen by the council from among its own members, and the process is separate from the ongoing effort to appoint a replacement for Wood in the Lynnhaven District.
Wilson earned six of 10 available votes. City Councilmember Aaron Rouse, who also holds an at-large seat, gained three votes, and City Councilmember Sabrina Wooten, who represents the Centerville District, voted for herself.
“This is not just a title,” Wilson said following the vote. “This is a job, and you have to work very closely with your colleagues, and communication is really important.”
Wilson pledged to communicate with colleagues and build consensus, and she said she will work closely with city staff.
“We have a lot on our plate, and I promise to work really hard with Mayor Dyer,” Wilson said.
Mayor Bobby Dyer, who supported Wilson, has noted that the role of the vice mayor in Virginia Beach is much more robust than how it is described in the city charter – essentially, as a stand-in for a mayor when they are not available.
Wood left the City Council effective Wednesday, Sept. 1, for a professional opportunity. On his watch as vice mayor, duties included overseeing the consent agenda items during meetings, shepherding the budget reconciliation process and overseeing appointment processes for boards and commissions.
“To those who are willing to step up to the plate and put their name in nomination, I thank you,” Dyer said prior to the vote during the Thursday, Sept. 24, special meeting. “The role of vice mayor – especially in a time when we’re going to be changing voting systems and economic development is at an all-time high – is going to require a significant sacrifice of time and effort for whoever is selected.”
Earlier this week, the City Council adopted a process for the council to select a vice mayor from among its own ranks, which had been recommended by the city attorney’s office during a recent council retreat.
Under the formalized process, members of the council can nominate themselves, no second of such nominations is needed and voting processes (including new nominations, if necessary) continue until a candidate for vice mayor passes the six-vote threshold or a meeting is adjourned.
There was only one round of voting needed during the special meeting to determine the new vice mayor.
“I would like to submit my name as a nomination for the vice mayor position,” Wooten said. “This is the second time I’m committing myself to go before you for this position.”
Wooten sought the job in January, when Wood was selected to continue in the role. At that time, Rouse had nominated Wooten to serve as vice mayor.
“My passion to lead in that area has not gone away,” Wooten said during the special meeting on Thursday, Sept. 23. “I have a passion to lead, and I think many of you know just because you’re not successful one time, it doesn’t mean that you should stop availing yourself to lead.”
Wooten said she has been working hard for citizens since taking office, and she would continue to do so in the role of vice mayor.
“I’m up for the hard work,” Wooten said. “I’ve committed myself to do it, and I have the track record that shows it.”
City Councilmember John Moss, who holds an at-large seat, nominated Rouse.
“I think we have three good candidates,” Moss said. “This is always about who is the best, and I believe Aaron Rouse has the time, which is always critical. I think he has the ability to connect with people. He’s demonstrated he can build coalitions out in the community and, I think, on the council, as well.”
City Councilmember Michael Berlucchi, who represents the Rose Hall District, nominated Wilson.
“I think that many of you are familiar with her … long and outstanding record of public service,” Berlucchi said. “Ms. Wilson was elected to serve as a member of the School Board until the year 2000, when she was elected to serve on this body. Voters continue to send her back to City Council. She has an outstanding reputation in our community.
“At this time,,” Berlucchi continued, “when we’re experiencing a variety of monumental challenges, experienced leadership, ability to build a coalition and an established record of community and public service are paramount.”
In voting, Berlucchi, Dyer, Wilson and City Councilmembers Barbara Henley, Rocky Holcomb and Louis Jones backed Wilson. Moss, Rouse and City Councilmember Guy Tower supported Rouse. Wooten cast a vote for herself.
“I’m very humbled and honored to my colleagues (for) their confidence in me,” Wilson said moments later.
Wilson said it had been more than three decades since a woman served as vice mayor, and she tipped her hat to former Mayor Meyera Oberndorf and former City Councilmember Reba McClanan, both of whom served in the role.
Wilson also acknowledged Henley, her current colleague on the council, who also served previously as vice mayor.
“It’s a real honor to follow in your footsteps and I certainly look for your advice and counsel, as well as Mr. Jones, who held that (position) for 16 years,” Wilson said.
Rouse, in remarks, thanked those who supported him, and he added that he feels the City Council has become “extremely” partisan.
“This is supposed to be a nonpartisan body, and it has become extremely partisan,” Rouse said. “To me, that effects not just this body but the city because we are a Dillon rule state. Regardless of what party is in power in Richmond, the fact that this body has taken a partisan stance, it hinders the ability for our citizens to get the necessary resources that they need here.”
Rouse said he respects his colleagues, but he also addressed the lack of people of color who have been selected to represent the community in recent appointment processes. Wilson is white, and Rouse and Wooten are Black.
“When we think about our city and where we’re going and where we want to go and the opportunity that we had to signal to young professionals, the workers, our region, the state, the world, that we are moving forward, that we do value diversity – not just in empty rhetoric – we missed that opportunity,” Rouse said.
Rouse asked what that says to the city staff and citizens.
“We talk about diversity and inclusion,” Rouse said. “I just so happen to be African American. What does this say, the fact that we continuously look backwards and go backwards and never move the needle forward?”
Rouse noted that an appointment for the Lynnhaven District seat will happen soon, and recent appointments have not led to any minorities placed in such leadership roles.
“We missed an opportunity today,” Rouse said.
Wooten congratulated Wilson, and said she was hopeful for the future.
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