Let’s see. Checking my calendar it appears that we are soon to be 2010. Right?
Just making sure.
It’s not making the Virginian-Pilot’s reporting yet, but three stories are converging in Hampton Roads and how they turn out will tell us a lot about Hampton Roads politics and the issue of race.
The ball started rolling slowly when Virginia Beach Councilman Ron Villanueva decided to run for Delegate. Villanueva, a Republican of Filipino descent, has been the only non-white Council candidate that Beach voters have chosen in the past decade.
Now that he’s Delegate-elect Villanueva, the remaining 10 Councilmembers get to pick someone to serve out his term until the end of 2010.
The question that’s being quietly asked and answered isn’t “Whom will be chosen?”, but “Should all white candidates be instantly disqualified?”
Should a minority Councilman who resigned should be replaced by a minority? And which minority? Must a Filipino Councilman be replaced by another Filipino? Or should the replacement at least be of Asian descent? How about an African-American? Or a Middle Easterner? Does the actual race of the appointee matter just as long as it’s not Caucasian?
Not easy questions to ask, and even less even to answer.
And what about women? Since Ron is a male, does that automatically mean his replacement must be? Or are gender politics different from racial politics?
The lobbying is active, but not as active as you’d think it would be. It’s not exactly a fantastic time to be an incumbent, and being appointed now means running for re-election the same year – in 2010.
Be careful what you wish for.
On top of that, Virginia Beach is also appointing a vacancy on the School Board. Dan Lowe resigned, and Carolyn Weems shifted to his district seat. They’re both white, but no one is demanding that whomever finishes Weems’ term be the same. 18 folks have lined up to serve, far more than anyone who’ve run for these seats in a long while. Dan Lowe was unopposed since he first won in the 90s.
Gets even more interesting if the City Council appoints a School Board member to Villanueva’s Council seat, which opens up another School Board vacancy.
Add to all that drama the story about light rail.
The $232 million light rail project becomes the $328 million dollar light rail project, and the day after HRT Chief Mike Townes says that’s the limit, he says costs could rocket up to $340 million.
Townes hasn’t resigned, and he said no one formally asked him to. HRT’s executive committee didn’t fire him, but the full board meets in January. WVEC reported, “Townes told reporters Wednesday afternoon he will still have a job after January.”
Sounds like a dare to me.
So far, Townes’ most public supporter is Councilman Paul Riddick. (Read the Virginian-Pilot’s rundown of the quotes of Board members).
What does race have to do with any of these stories? Right now, publicly, nothing at all. Should race be considered in these issues? Will race be a determining factor, even if no one admits it is?
Or will each of these three political decisions be made colorblind and simply on the merits of the individuals involved?
I’d love to know your thoughts.
Editorial note: The Virginian-Pilot did report on the race issue, so it is being discussed.
Villanueva said he has spoken with about 10 candidates who are interested in the position.
“I hope they pick somebody who brings a new skill set and adds to the diversity of the council,” said Villanueva, the city’s first Filipino-American member of council and the only current minority.
Mayor Will Sessoms said candidates will be evaluated on their qualifications, not race.
“But to say that wouldn’t be on my mind, would be a lie,” Sessoms said.
The Beach’s population is almost 30 percent minority, mostly African American. The council’s lack of diversity has drawn criticism.
“It’s pretty important that we highly consider and solicit a minority,” Councilman Bob Dyer said. (Pilot)
