Ed. — The following are responses to questions posed by The Independent News to candidates in the election for the District 2 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.
ELAINE FEKETE
- Residence: Sandbridge
- Age: 59
- Occupation: Realtor
- Military Service/Education: College degree
- Endorsements: State Sen. Bill DeSteph, Virginia Beach City Councilmember John Moss and Virginia Beach School Board Member Laura Hughes
- Website: elainefekete.com
- Phone: (757) 435-6965
- Email: elainefeketeforcouncil@gmail.com
- Social Media: @elainefeketeforcitycouncil on Facebook
What are your specific qualifications for this office? I have lived in District 2 for 27 years as a homeowner in Sandbridge. Dur-ing these years, my family and I have experienced Sandbridge becoming the vibrant and cohesive community that it is today. As in all communities, there have been speed bumps along the way which is why I am running for office.
I was raised on a family farm in nearby Southampton County, and therefore I am very familiar with the farming industry which is vital to our city as the #3 industry and makes up a large portion District 2. I have been involved in local government issues for years as an advocate for community and city-wide concerns, such as flooding, infrastructure, taxes, fees, schools, and Sandbridge short term rentals.
Currently, I serve as Vice President of the Sandbridge Beach Civic League with nearly 2,000 members. As such, I have worked with many city departments such as planning, zoning, public works, engineering, and the City Manager and budget office and will be ready on day 1 to serve all residents.
In my previous business experience, I was responsible for half billion-dollar budgets. I am skilled in high level negotiations and collaborations and adept at prioritizing multi-departmental responsibilities such as budg-eting, planning, forecasting, marketing, operations, and distribution.
What is the most important issue facing the city and how will you address it in office? The most important issue facing the city is the increasing cost of living and the effect on the quality of life of the citizens. Residential real estate assessments rose 11.29% this year and Council voted to raise taxes 9%. This effects every citizen whether you own or rent your home. Despite the economy facing the worst inflation in years, despite the State working to refund surplus taxes to citizens, and despite the city projecting excess revenue, Council voted to raise taxes.
What are your three main policy priorities?
- I will work to provide tax relief in the immediate future and greater fiscal responsibility in the budget process. I will fight for a suspension of the meal tax, which is the 3rd highest in the country, and for a return of 50% of the tax surplus to the citizens.
- Despite the flood referendum, it is important for me to continue to fight for the flooding solutions that were not included in Phase 1 in areas such as Indian River and Sandbridge roads and throughout Pungo and the southern watershed. I will also ensure that the money freed up in the budget due to the referendum is allocated to the deferred maintenance on ditch-es and drains.
- A priority of mine that I find lacking on Council today is to be a true repre-sentative of the citizens, to seek their input and to be their voice on Coun-cil. I will be the voice of the people and will bring back transparency and accountability to the citizens.
Should city services such as water and sewer be extended south of Indian River Road to promote development of rural communities? I will seek and support the will of the residents. From talking to many, it is my understanding that city services are not wanted, nor is the development it might bring. I understand and support the business district’s need for city services in downtown Pungo. Virginia Beach needs to be more pro-business in the rest of the city, not just the Oceanfront.
Do you support the agricultural reserve program, or ARP? Should its dedicated funding be maintained at a consistent level? Now more than ever it is imperative that we support our farmers. The number of farms in Virginia appear to be declining each year. The agriculture industry in Virginia Beach is the 3rd largest industry in the city generating $170 million in sales.
Having grown up on a family farm, I understand the uncertainty and risk farmers go through from season to season. As the costs associated with farming are rising, I think it would be wise to evaluate the program at certain intervals to make sure it is sufficient to meet the needs of the intended purpose.
Do you believe nonfarming businesses should be allowed on agriculturally zoned land in the rural area of the city? I will rely on community input and respect property rights. There is already a precedent for non-farming businesses in the rural part of the city such as kennels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, wedding venues, etc. There are other businesses that could be conducive to a rural community and help supplement their needs such as small country stores and services that are needed in the area.
I do not support large development in the rural community, but I will be open to individual situations where people have an opportunity to help with the costs of holding on to their land.
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 support the Appellate Court’s decision in Holloway v. Virginia Beach because I feel the decision as to what voting system is used in our city should be made by the citizens.
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 fully supported the efforts by former Councilwoman Jessica Abbott in 2020 to let the citizens decide whether they wanted district voting by proposing a non-binding referendum be placed on the ballot. Unfortunately, Council chose inaction, which led to a Court instead of the citizens making a decision. Going forward, the public should be given ample information and time to reach their own conclusions. I am not comfortable making a decision as a Council member without the input of the voters where the appearance of impropriety is unavoidable. We should expect that all Council Members feel the same way.
How should the city address concerns about sea level rise and recurrent flooding aside from projects funded via last year’s referendum? The recent bond referendum for flooding does very little to address sea level rise and recurrent flooding in District 2. Projects that are located in District 2 are actually for the benefit of areas north of the district such as the West Neck Bridge project which will address flooding issues on Nimmo Parkway and London Bridge Road. The biggest concerns in the district, that are being ignored, are Indian River Road, Sandbridge Road and deferred maintenance on drains and ditches.
Has the city done enough to help the restaurant and hospitality industry recover from shutdowns related to the pandemic? The most feasible and beneficial action the city could do to benefit both the industry and the community is to suspend the meal tax which is the 3rd highest in the country. This would help defray the increased cost of eating out and would hopefully draw patrons back to restaurants. The city has surplus tax revenues. We can afford to do this and we should do so right away. While the State is looking to return surplus tax revenue, our city is looking for more ways to spend it. Making it more affordable to dine out helps citizens and businesses.
BARBARA M. HENLEY
- Residence: Charity Neck
- Age: 80
- Occupation: Henley Family Farm
- Military Service/Education: Master/Urban Studies
- Endorsements: Virginia Beach Professional Fire & EMS
- Phone: (757) 426-7501
- Email: barbarahenley@cox.net
- Social Media: Facebook
What are your specific qualifications for this office? I was born and raised in Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach. My husband and I, our sons, and all of our grandchildren attended Creeds Elementary and the schools that serve this area. I was a teacher in the Virginia Beach school system. We have earned our living raising food on Henley Family Farm and have welcomed thousands of people every year to come and enjoy the farm experience. I know the area, the people and the needs. I have been honored to serve, first as the Pungo Borough representative on council, and then as the Princess Anne District representative. This experience provides important knowledge and understanding needed to keep Virginia Beach strong for the future. For the first time, I am running to serve Ward 2, of 10 wards in the city. Our priorities differ a bit from the rest of the city. I have shown you that Princess Anne has always been Number 1, and I want to keep our beloved southern part of the city the special place that it is.
What is the most important issue facing the city and how will you address it in office? One of the most significant results of the pandemic was the effect it had on community relations. The isolation necessary to prevent the virus spread resulted in a serious impact on our community organizations’ ability to meet and operate. As a result, many of our civic organizations are at a point now of trying to reorganize and rebuild their membership. We need our civic organizations and we need that connection with our citizens. The strength of Virginia Beach has been the relationship between our local government and our citizenry, and rebuilding that connection and confidence is critical.
What are your three main policy priorities?
- Public Safety: Our people need to feel and be safe. That means strong Police, Fire and Emergency Services Departments, but also safety on our streets with important traffic control and enforcement, as well as protection during natural disasters which would include flood and stormwater control.
- We must display fiscal responsibility which requires that we are prudent with expenditures both for operating costs and capital costs which impact our debt commitments. We must provide adequate services while controlling costs and taxing requirements borne by our citizens. Building our tax base with good economic and job generators is essential.
- Maintaining all of our neighborhoods as good places to live is critical. Making sure that we provide good infrastructure, including schools, for all of our neighborhoods is our responsibility. Adhering to good planning policies will assure that we protect the quality of our neighborhoods while providing for those needs which offer necessary services and economic opportunities.
Should city services such as water and sewer be extended south of Indian River Road to promote development of rural communities? No. When urban services are provided, urban development follows. Rural communities then cease to be rural. It is important to understand the effects of every council decision and to avoid unintended consequences.
Do you support the Agricultural Reserve Program, or ARP? Should its dedicated funding be maintained at a consistent level? Yes. When we developed and adopted the Agricultural Reserve Program in 1995, we provided a very important means for land owners to have an option when it becomes necessary to address property needs, such as estate planning and settlement. This program has been highly successful in helping us maintain our rural area as well as our agricultural industry. An important reason for its success has been its dedicated funding source which has always assured it could meet the needs of and obligations to applicants and it must be maintained.
Do you believe nonfarming businesses should be allowed on agriculturally zoned land in the rural area of the city? It is important that land uses be compatible, especially in the agricultural area. Non-agricultural uses which are necessary to serve the community should be located in the existing commercial nodes.
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 believe that the original ruling contained statements as fact about Virginia Beach which simply are not accurate and could not be allowed to go unchallenged. Also, the issue of coalition voting was seriously misrepresented. These misrepresentations are just too serious to be allowed to stand without challenge.
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? It has been the City’s practice that a requested change in our voting system be preceded with the question before voters in a referendum, or otherwise a properly noted public hearing on the question. This was NOT done. A voter referendum invites and provides for much debate and discussion so that voters are able to determine for themselves whether they favor the change. We must provide opportunities for our citizens to understand the effects of any change. Any question should be before the public long enough for these debates and discussions to occur before a change in our voting system goes forward.
How should the city address concerns about sea level rise and recurrent flooding aside from projects funded via last year’s referendum? Each person needs to be a part of the solution. Virginia Beach is a city of waterways. It is important that we all understand how our drainage system works, and where the water goes after it leaves our property. The City, going forward, has developed specific drainage plans required for each part of the city if new development occurs. It is important that we maintain that system. The City has responsibility for public features but we all can help on our own property with things such as living shorelines, rain barrels, and litter control.
Has the City done enough to help the restaurant and hospitality industry recover from shutdowns related to the pandemic? Our revenue income from restaurant and hospitality industry taxes indicate that we are well on the way of returning to pre-pandemic levels. During the pandemic, we were able to offer various financial assistance opportunities to our hospitality industries, as well as to many of our other businesses, especially small businesses. Work force development has been a particular need. Working with all of our businesses to help them be successful is ongoing and necessary.
MICHAEL MAUCH
- Residence: Pungo
- Age: 39
- Occupation: Small business owner
- Military Service/Education: Some college
- Website: muachforvb.com
- Phone: (757) 339-9494
- Email: michael@mauchforvb.com
- Social Media: @mauchforvb on Facebook
What are your specific qualifications for this office? I was born and raised in Virginia Beach, Pungo specifically, and still live there. I attended Creeds Elementary, Princess Anne Middle and Kellam High School. I have hunted and fished Back Bay since grade school. I opened my first business at the age of 19, remodeling kitchens and bathrooms.
As small business owners of a “farm-to-table” restaurant and retail store, we are no strangers to hard work and long hours, and I am more than willing to roll up my sleeves and get to work. Those traits are what provide for our family, but my passion is to continue serving my community.
I’ve served on many different boards, commissions, committees and non-profits, including the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association, the Atlantic Avenue Association and the Resort Advisory Commission.
I believe that through all of these, I have a good understanding and balance of how our city government works, the needs of our community and business community and the value that our non-profits bring to the community and city. As well as an extensive understanding of two of our top economic engines in this city, agriculture and tourism.
What is the most important issue facing the city and how will you address it in office? District 2 is the largest district in the city and a large makeup of the land in the district is Agriculture. Preserving our Agricultural Community is very important to me. As a lifelong and a current resident of Pungo, decisions that are made for our agricultural area directly impact myself and my neighbors. Preservation of our communities and the makeup of our communities are of the utmost importance to me. That is why I will continue to have unwavering support for the Green Line and preservation of the Agricultural Reserve Program.
What are your three main policy priorities?
- Flooding: Citizens overwhelmingly funded flooding projects with the bond referendum and these projects must be completed on time and on budget, but there is much more to do. Recurring flooding and wind tides need a much more comprehensive solution at a faster pace than the city has moved in the past.
- Neighborhood Safety: Virginia Beach is consistently one of the safest large cities in the US. I will continue to support our Police, Fire and all First Responders who continue to do so well with so many vacancies. Recurring vacancies have gone on for decades, and it’s time we solved the problem.
- Expanding Jobs: Virginia Beach must attract companies with jobs that will bring our children back to Virginia Beach after graduation. Furthermore, I will make sure that we are expanding existing and establishing new programs that will teach hands-on skills to provide a prosperous career in the trades.
Should city services such as water and sewer be extended south of Indian River Road to promote development of rural communities? I completely oppose opening up our rural community to runaway development which is exactly what would happen if these services were extended.
Do you support the agricultural reserve program, or ARP? Should its dedicated funding be maintained at a consistent level? 100% I support the ARP and think that without it, our agricultural economic engine and way of life would have been destroyed by now.
Do you believe nonfarming businesses should be allowed on agriculturally zoned land in the rural area of the city? I want to protect and preserve our rural lifestyle and agricultural economy and will oppose violating that trust.
Do you support the city’s successful appeal of the Holloway v. Virginia Beach voting rights case, which may mean the 10-district system under which you are running may change? The city’s appeal was successful, but the bottom line is voters had no say in this major change of the electoral system. I’m running in District 2 because it is my home and birthplace, and think that these new systems demand new leadership that can cross district lines and secure majority support on Council for our needs.
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 we will hear from many citizens when they vote in November about having one (or fewer) City Council elections on their ballot. I will engage with the citizens in District 2 about the 10-district system and gauge their views on this system and all Council issues and determine the path forward based on the voters’ input.
How should the city address concerns about sea level rise and recurrent flooding aside from projects funded via last year’s referendum? There needs to be a real conversation about long-term solutions to this long-term threat. Current leadership hasn’t gotten very far, and we must acknowledge that the bond referendum is a piece of the solution, but the flooding impacts in District 2 are much different than those faced in the rest of the city, and there hasn’t been nearly enough attention on that.
Has the city done enough to help the restaurant and hospitality industry recover from shutdowns related to the pandemic? As the owner of a “farm-to-table” restaurant, I had a front row seat to everything from protests that damaged our business to Covid shutdowns that almost ended our business. The city did so much from opening the beaches to advertising help to tax cuts for restaurant patrons. We have made it through a trying time much better than most cities.
NANETTE MILLER
- Residence: Litchfield Manor
- Age: 65
- Occupation: Commander, US Navy-Retired
- Military Service/Education: US Navy, 31 years / Master’s Degree-American Government, Regent University
- Website: miller4vb.com
- Phone: (757) 777-6175
- Email: nanette@miller4vb.com
- Social Media: @miller4vb on Facebook
What are your specific qualifications for this office? I bring a culmination of serving in the Navy for 30 Years, married for 40 years and being a resident of this city for 65 years. As a veteran, navy wife, mother, and grandmother, I want my grandchildren to enjoy the wonderful city that I grew up in. My experiences while serving my country has given me a broad understand of management and leadership. I have managed large budgets, and I have led and manage people to accomplish the tasks. I was trained and educated to understand the importance of forecasting the future and being prepared for it.
I have local, national, and international experience. I will be a strong advocate for the citizens of Virginia Beach, and for the future of Virginia Beach.
What is the most important issue facing the city and how will you address it in office? Taxes by far is the most important issue our citizens are facing right now. With inflation at record levels not seen since 1981, our tax rate on personal property, real estate and food are having a devastating effect on many of our residents. A complete review, considering the expected rate of inflation and total tax burden on our citizens, needs to be balanced with the services provided by the city and school system and then balanced with our future economic development.
What are your three main policy priorities? Lowering taxes for all citizens, ensuring public safety, and finding a balance between economic development and land use. Lowering the tax burden for all of our citizens will have an immediate effect at every level of our economic base in the City of Virginia Beach. Fully supporting and funding our Public Safety System is the cornerstone of a well-run city and needs constant attention to ensure its capability is focused on providing safety. The city of Virginia Beach is growing so fast that everyone needs to slow down and find a balance between economic development, land use and the new stormwater management program.
Should city services such as water and sewer be extended south of Indian River Road to promote development of rural communities? Extending water and sewage south of Indian River Road will make a dramatic change and one that will potentially promote development farther south. The question is what the rural residents want and if they need city water and sewage. This discussion must be with the citizens to ensure balance of agriculture preservation while meeting the needs of citizens.
Do you support the agricultural reserve program, or ARP? Should its dedicated funding be maintained at a consistent level? Farming is an important part of our local and statewide economy, preserving it is paramount. The ARP is now coming to it’s first maturity term, the 25-year mark. I would like to maintain the program and ensure another 25 years of success.
Do you believe nonfarming businesses should be allowed on agriculturally zoned land in the rural area of the city? About 30% of farms across the country participate in nonfarm business, Nonfarm businesses provide support for the farm itself, it also can provide an additional income stream for a farm and it’s a way to help ensure the preservation of the farming. I will fully support a discussion on this topic to determine how it will benefit farmers and our community.
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 support Ms. Holloway’s right to bring suit to challenge the voting system and that Virginia Beach did it’s due diligence by challenging the first decision. The citizens of Virginia Beach deserve to have a say in the voting system to select our School Board and City Council representation
It is likely the new City Council will need to reconsider our local voting system follow-ing the Holloway v. Virginia Beach reversal in the appeals court. How should the council do this while engaging citizens? The city council should hold a public forum for the citizens over a 30–45-day period. The city council should then craft a coherent and appropriate question to be placed on the ballot. The citizens should determine our voting system.
How should the city address concern about sea level rise and recurrent flooding aside from projects funded via last year’s referendum? Sea level rise is a huge concern for the city and especially in District 2. I believe the $500 million bond referendum was only the starting point for what has been determined to be the larger, most important problems across the city. The city Comprehensive Plan and Stormwater Management Plan has also outlined many of the smaller, neighborhood issues on flooding. There is good information on what the problem is and what it will take to address those problems. We need a plan to address the sea level rise and flooding beyond the $500M referendum. There should be a prioritized list of the recommended projects and a timeline to start those projects.
Has the city done enough to help the restaurant and hospitality industry recover from shutdowns related to the pandemic? The city acted to repeal the restaurant tax during the pandemic, which was very helpful for both consumers and business owners. The City of Virginia Beach had a surplus of revenue this year from the last year tax cycle. The city budget for 2023-2024 should reflect a tax cut across the board, food, restaurant and hospitality. The inflation and possible recession may have a devasting effect on our hospitality industry. The city needs to take steps to help mitigate the tax burden for next year and beyond.
MATTHIAS PAUL TELKAMP
- Residence: Indian River Woods
- Age: 46
- Occupation: Owner IT Consulting & Software Company
- Military Service/Education: Vocational
- Endorsement: Due the Right Thing
- Website: mptelkamp.com
- Phone: (757) 952-6841
- Email: info@mptelkamp.com
- Social Media: @mptelkamp on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
What are your specific qualifications for this office? I have a deep understanding of what the issues are within the city and know that I have the expertise to cut through to the problems. I have built a career on improving communication and improving processes to eliminate unnecessary impediments.
What is the most important issue facing the city and how will you address it in office? Flooding. I plan to actually vote on measures that will start the projects underway. City Council has fumbled the flooding issue since 2016 when Hurricane Matthew came through and flooded the Windsor Woods and Ashville Park areas section of town. That flooding was due to stormwater maintenance not being a priority since 2008 and not holding developers accountable. They have done the bare minimum in the meantime and voted to constantly defer until a future meeting. You must ask yourself if we keep electing people that will not take bold action if you will face the same thing.
What are your three main policy priorities? Flooding, Roads, and Improving Business. My previous answer shows that I know flooding is an issue and District 2 has unique flooding issues. I believe that through improving the ARP we can retain additional farmland that will help as well as planting more trees. On roads, I live off Indian River Road and close to Elbow Road. These projects are more than a decade old, and they have been discussed for almost 3 decades. It is time to start spending money in our district for roads that will provide additional safety and complete some projects. I also know that Sandbridge has a single road that floods with all the water that comes in. We must stop letting road projects languish with no help to residents. An immediate way to address the business needs, we should eliminate the additional SWaM certification and recognize the state certification.
Should city services such as water and sewer be extended south of Indian River Road to promote development of rural communities? No. We need to focus on reducing flooding and grass will not soak up as much water as agricultural crops and trees. There is plenty of areas within the rest of Virginia Beach for development.
Do you support the agricultural reserve program, or ARP? Should its dedicated funding be maintained at a consistent level? Yes. ARP should be increased. The ARP program has seen a decline in the number of acres registered with the program and maintaining the current level will not incentivize anyone to enroll new acres. The first 10 years saw 707.87 average acres per year. The last 10 has seen that average drop to 184.42 per year. I look forward to collaborating with the agricultural community to find out what more can be done as well as anyone else with interest in the program.
Do you believe nonfarming businesses should be allowed on agriculturally zoned land in the rural area of the city? No. If your business is nonfarming, what benefit would you be bringing to the community? There are more than enough other areas of town that business could be run without further reducing the agricultural aspect of our section of town.
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? No. The reason is that I believe that this would be a detriment to the communities in District 2. If we went all At Large seats, you could look at our neighbors in Chesapeake and see how that is working out. Most of their council is all from one section of town. We need diverse members on council that are not all coming from money and special interest. In addition, the city did not win the appeal. The court said that it was moot and sent it back to the District Court that presided on the case.
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 do not believe it is likely. City Council would have to request that the City Charter be changed through the state and with the current case still in court, I do not see a way forward until it is resolved with the courts.
How should the city address concerns about sea level rise and recurrent flooding aside from projects funded via last year’s referendum? We need to start voting on flooding issues and start working to resolve them. Continuing to let these issues languish because of lack of a backbone to vote on it is creating additional issues that will only continue until we have someone ready to act. I will move that boulder of a problem. Improving ARP and increasing the fauna within the Back Bay. Passing a referendum that prevents new development below the Green Line. No one said City Council was an easy job, so if you will not vote, why are you there?
Has the city done enough to help the restaurant and hospitality industry recover from shutdowns related to the pandemic? I think that depends on where the business was located. Some businesses applauded City Council. But not everyone did. That was because, like with the rest of the city, the money went to a select number of places. We must start looking at all the businesses that need help and you should not have to be someone’s friend or have an inside edge. The process must be fair and help everyone. I have talked to multiple business owners that think that City Council is not listening to them.
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