Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer
by Kerry Dougherty
Virginia Beach Councilman Aaron Rouse — on the job for a mere 14 months — has announced that he’s ready to resign his seat to run for mayor.
Sigh.
Some of us who supported him for council feared this might happen. It’s a bad move. Very bad.
First, Mayor Bobby Dyer is doing a terrific job. Why in the world would voters fire him?
Dyer’s been in office since November of 2018 when he was elected to fill the remainder of Will Sessoms’ term after the former mayor abruptly quit. That expires this year and Dyer’s seeking his first full term as mayor.
In the convulsive 2018 local election — where three city council races went to recount, one councilman was removed by the courts over a residency problem, and the political establishment backed his opponent — Dyer won with 82,201 votes, and 51.8 recent of the vote.
An impressive victory.
Once on the job, Dyer enthusiastically embraced the Something In The Water festival proposed by Virginia Beach superstar Pharrell Williams to turn the annual Beach College Weekend from one fraught with problems and violence to a celebration of diversity.
While some members of council left town during SITW, Dyer was a cheerleader and earned shout-outs from an appreciative Williams.
A month later, Dyer had to pull the city together after the mass shooting at the Municipal Center that left 12 people dead and others injured. Dyer didn’t grab a mic and grandstand in front of the cameras as some politicians did.
He offered quiet leadership and comfort to a city in shock.
Then, a few months later, the embattled and unpopular city manager quit, leaving Dyer to keep the city operating smoothly while a replacement is sought.
Dyer, a former Marine, PhD, college professor and a physical therapist, says he’s met with members of the public more than 750 times since he’s been in office.
The mayor pledged to encourage investment in the city by creating a level playing field during his campaign. His even-handed approach and support of small business seems to be working, judging from the number of new enterprises that have sprung up around the city. A welcome change from the institutional cronyism that governed the city in the past.
“I promised to be the mayor for everyone and that’s what I’m trying to do,” Dyer told me yesterday.
Not easy in a city that for decades was polluted by rampant favoritism and backroom deals.
On top of that, Dyer shows respect and patience with members of the public when they come before council to speak. He’s never, to my knowledge, accused an individual of being a “liar” as his predecessor did. He actually seems interested in what the public has to say.
Refreshing.
“Bobby D,” as he calls himself, has mastered the art of maintaining a delicate balance on council. He keeps debates and discussions between members — including two who ran against each other in a bitter election — polite and respectful.
As far as Councilman Rouse goes, what has he done in his short time on council? Who is blowing in his ear, telling him that running for mayor is a good move?
Look, I endorsed Aaron Rouse in 2018 and was delighted when he came in first in the at-large race. He garnered 67,089 votes.
Of course, Rouse is a Democrat and as such is expected to support higher taxes, bigger government and gun control. Still, he was a refreshing change from the corruptocrats who’d been running the city. Unfortunately, Rouse missed an opportunity to show that he was a different kind of Democrat when he supported the city budget last spring that included yet another hike in the onerous trash fee.
Until 2011, trash collection was considered a core public service and covered from the city’s general fund. City officials — itching to raise taxes without using the “T” word — instituted a $10 a month trash fee. This flat fee is assessed on every house in the city, regardless of its value.
Naturally, the fee has risen steadily and in 2019 it jumped from $23 to $25 a month. This is a regressive tax that hits the poor harder than it hits the rich. Rouse might have shown himself to be the populist he claims to be by insisting this tax hike be stripped from the budget.
Instead Rouse voted for it. Disappointing .
Rouse’s biography is compelling. He grew up in Seatack, was a standout football player at Virginia Tech and for the Green Bay Packers before coming home to Virginia Beach.
At 36 Rouse brings youth, vigor and charisma to a council composed of — let’s face it — some fossilized politicians.
Virginia Beach Democrats endorse in City Council races, which means Rouse is almost guaranteed about a third of the vote. Should the Republicans decide to do the same — and they may break with tradition to do so to help Dyer keep his seat — Rouse will almost certainly lose.
Win or lose, Rouse’s vacant At-Large seat will likely go to one of the cronies with yard signs at the ready. There are some deeply unhappy power brokers in this city, waiting for the opportunity to stem the good government movement on council.
If Rouse has his eye on the governor’s mansion he could get there by serving on council for at least a full term — and doing something remarkable while there — before running for the General Assembly.
The move from City Council to the state house is relatively common. A leap from Virginia Beach mayor to an elected position in Richmond? Doesn’t happen.
Someone please tell that to Aaron Rouse.
Before it’s too late and he writes that irrevocable letter of resignation.
This column was originally published at www.kerrydougherty.com.
