MEET THE CANDIDATES

The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press are publishing Q& A guides to help you get to know the candidates better. Look for candi- date guides from local races this week. And find special coverage of all the races at PilotOnline.com and dailypress.com.

Portsmouth’s mayor

First-term Portsmouth Mayor John Rowe decided in January not to run for reelection, shaking up a city where politics are sharply divided by race. Rowe is white, and both white and Black candidates are running to replace him.

All six people vying to claim his seat vow to change this notoriously dysfunctional city for the better.

To help readers decide who to choose at the ballot box, The Virginian-Pilot asked them to tell voters about who they are, and we asked each one three questions about what they’d do if elected. (Candidates were told to limit each answer to 100 words; some did not, and their answers have been edited for space and in fairness to those who followed the rules.)

The Pilot will also have a full story on the mayor’s race coming soon, but for now, here are the candidates in their own words.

Paul J. Battle

Age: 72

Occupation: Business Owner Tranquility Manor - Battle Music & Entertainment

Previous office held, if any: Portsmouth City Council member, 2019present

Education: Graduate of Norfolk State University , I.C. Norcom High School

What will you look for in a city manager?

In selecting a city manager, it is important that we wait until after the election so that a fresh bond could be created with the new members of council. I would look to select one who is trustworthy and respectful of Portsmouth’s citizens, someone with an understanding that the human element is the most important element in this city. Each community is uniquely different; therefore, I would like for the city manager to be able to provide the needs that the different communities require to have a happy and successful way of life.

How can the city be less divided by race? By creating a platform where people can have healthy and respectful interactions between one another, such as festivals and events that promote the best in us. When we move into the policy making and political realm, I will make sure we have experienced facilitators who maintain a positive narrative. Encourage people to stay away from those things that serve as sparks which ignite those who trigger hatred and bigotry. As mayor I will be inclusive just as I have been on the council and I will deal with the development of the entire populous rather than just a few. What needs to change in the police department? I would take a better look at the hiring process to ensure that officers who have been released from other departments are not being hired by Portsmouth. We need to hire and train the best individuals, recruits who are able to be sensitive to the needs of each community within this city. I would initiate incentive programs to get a better pool of recruits to select from. A police officer has to be sensitive to the population he is serving; if not, that officer is not an adequate fit.

Shannon Elish Glover

Age: 55

Occupation: President/ Owner Commonwealth Employee Benefit Solutions, Inc.

Previous office held, if any: Portsmouth City Council member, 2019-present

Education: Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary studies, Norfolk Virginia

What will you look for in a city manager?

Our city manager must be able to communicate effectively with citizens, department heads and members of council. They must be able to inspire city department heads and employees to work together to ensure that city services are running efficiently. They must work to create more transparency in our government and build relationships with local media to improve our image. Our next manager must find new ways to improve citizen access to government services and increase participation in our government. They should develop innovative ways to attract businesses which support industries in Portsmouth and collaborate with our school system to train citizens for those jobs.

How can the city be less divided by race? Our city can be less divided by race if we build relationships based on trust and mutual understanding. The history of Portsmouth is rich, yet we cannot ignore the past of our old Southern port city. I am committed to healing the racial divide in our city. As mayor, I will bring the National League of Cities REAL (Race Equity and Leadership) Initiative to help our community to end racial disparities, heal racial wounds and build a more equitable community. We all must work together to build a better Portsmouth.

What needs to change in the police department? Based on recent newspaper reporting, we must have a full review of our police force and its practices. We must ensure that our officers are treated fairly and in an equitable manner. I support our police force. They do an amazing job each and every day. This is our opportunity to improve so we must take advantage and create the best police force in the region.

Anthony W “Tony” Goodwin

Age: 47

Occupation: Real estate and business development

Previous office held, if any: No answer Education: Real estate and auctioneering trade schools in Virginia and North Carolina, adult studies courses at Virginia Wesleyan and general studies at Tidewater Community College

What will you look for in a city manager?

Portsmouth’s next city manager must come with an experience of managing a community of 100,000 people-plus that is diverse and impacted by a large military presence. They have to have an open mind to new business attraction and retaining talent that typically leaves our city for jobs. This is also a regional initiative that The Hampton Roads 757 region through the GO Virginia program has put forth and Portsmouth must be competitive in the market daily and be part of the solution.

How can the city be less divided by race?

“Race issues” that divide a community accomplish nothing. We must establish a mindset that we are one city looking to strive to be the best we can. This is necessary to move forward and to deny this, we are only hurting our future generations. This city is so rich with pride and we can overcome yesterday’s challenge just as much as we did 60, 70 or 80-plus years ago. Leadership that can listen to the people is the first step.

What needs to change in the police department?

The Portsmouth Police Department, just like other departments with Portsmouth city government, must be on a path of being there for the citizens. Let’s face it, the police are in a national spotlight and even before all of this PPD was already preparing for the implementation of the new 21st Century Policing Program put in place by the former administration. I believe we are on the right path and we need to support their goals.

Danny Meeks

Age: 46

Occupation: Owner, Empire Services, Inc. Previous office held, if any: Portsmouth City Council, January 2013 to November 2016 Education: Cradock High School and Manor High School

What will you look for in a city manager?

Portsmouth’s city manager is essentially the chief executive officer of the city — they must have an unparalleled knowledge of the city’s finances, lead our employees by example, and be extremely responsive to residents and businesses in our great city. I believe we need to streamline the city’s operations, rethink existing processes, and get this city moving forward on behalf of all our people. I’ll be looking for a candidate with the ability and resolve to change the status quo in Portsmouth!

How can the city be less divided by race? I believe a lack of communication and dialogue is exacerbating the problems facing our city. As your mayor, I will hold quarterly meetings with our Civic League presidents and faith leaders of Portsmouth to hear the concerns and problems facing our communities; I will ensure our city manager, police chief, and fire chief are in attendance. The mayor sets the agenda for the city and as your representative, I will make sure everyone has a seat at the table and the needs of our communities are made a priority.

What needs to change in the police department? I believe our police officers need to be retrained to emphasize deescalation in their mindset and approach to situations. That being said, as mayor, I will ensure our police department is fully funded and our officers have the resources needed to keep our residents safe. Portsmouth has fewer than 180 sworn officers officers — well below the budgeted 260 sworn officers — with several officers in the process of moving to other departments. As mayor, I will restore confidence in our city, regain the trust of our police officers, and keep our residents safe!

H. Cliff Page Jr.

Age: 73

Occupation: Sculptor Previous office held, if any (include dates you served): None Education: BFA: ODU; MFA: ECU; Graduate and Post Graduate studies: Instituto National de Bellas Artes, Mexico; Fulbright-Hays Fellow, Italy; Radioman/ Electronic Technician, and Foundryman

What will you look for in a city manager? A seasoned professional with proven positive experience in a medium sized city with historical/architectural and tourist focus, who can work with Portsmouth’s neighboring cities to improve intramodal transportation and regional connectivity. An individual who can prioritize needs and allocate resources to the maximum benefit of our citizens. Someone who has a visionary and creative approach to increasing revenues, minimizing costs and lowering the citizen’s tax burden, while building a staff that is focused on outstanding performance, efficiency and friendly personal service to our citizens and those who want to do business in Portsmouth.

How can the city be less divided by race? I want to see a more responsive government composed of five wards cutting across racial, economic, and social demographics that would elect wardsmen with two-year tenures. These individuals would be the spokesmen for their ward’s issues and problems. Three at-large councilmen would be elected serving three-year terms and a mayor serving at-large for four years.

What needs to change in the police department? Our last two police chiefs’ strengths were in community and public relations. We need top leadership in the police department that will be expert in the criminal code and who are willing to enforce the law with equity and deliberate response to effect safety throughout the city and not play politics but are proactive in preventing crime and aggressive in stopping crime and in solving crimes. Our police force, in particular, needs increased forensic and detective personnel. Our patrol forces are severally understaffed, stressed, and therefore largely ineffective.

Donna B. Sayegh

Age: 79

Occupation: Retired Previous office held, if any: None

Education: Stony Creek High School; Findlay Sr. High School; Richard Bland College: Associates in Arts in business; Louise Obici Hospital School of Nursing: Diploma in nursing; Old Dominion University: Bachelor of Science in nursing; International Institute for Restorative Practices: Masters in restorative practices and youth counseling.

What will you look for in a city manager?

I will look for the ability of the city manager to: Assess the functional structure of the city and align its departments with each other along with the boards and commissions so authority is delegated appropriately. Check job descriptions of departments and have department heads trained in how to evaluate employees yearly. Check job description for human resources director so that hired staff know how to do his/her job description of recruiting, selecting, orienting and training employees. Create an office where by conflicts with city staff will provide coaching, counseling and disciplining actions; planning, monitoring and appraising job results.

How can the city be less divided by race? The elected and appointed will make an assessment of the city’s policies and procedures to make sure there are no discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity in the sale or rental of housing or employment or anything that uses race to prevent a man or woman from accomplishing their goals to pursue happiness.

What needs to change in the police department?

The police department needs to create a police commission over the police chief. A board of five commissioners who are volunteers appointed by the mayor. Each holds a non-police job but still gives more than 20 hours a week to the commission. It will act much the same as a corporation’s board of directors. The commissioners will listen to community concerns, set police department policies and determine new directions. The chief will handle the daily operations of the police department, reports to the board of commissioners and attends their meetings to provide updates on workings of the police department.