New opportunities

As Virginia Beach residents with an interest in our city’s economic future, we enthusiastically support Jody Wagner for mayor of Virginia Beach.

Virginia Beach’s economy has a long list of unmet needs, from the brain drain that has hurt us to the recent recession. And while these circumstances are not the fault of the current mayor alone, the fact that we have done little to nothing to confront those challenges is unacceptable. We need someone with Wagner’s experience and leadership skills to serve as our mayor and take on these challenges.

For many years past, Virginia Beach’s economic growth and development led the region. However, in recent years our growth has lagged behind the nation. Virginia Beach has lost population and one of our most valuable assets, our well-educated students, are leaving the region to seek better opportunities elsewhere.

Wagner has the experience and leadership needed to address the issues that are essential to growing economically as a city and expand job opportunities for everyone. Those of us who have worked in economic development understand the importance of having a leader who will listen to our ideas, address our concerns, and do all that he or she can to bring in new opportunities and be on the forefront of economic innovation. Wagner is that leader, someone who will work with us to rejuvenate our economy and solidify the future of our city.

Please — on Nov. 3, join us and vote for Jody Wagner for mayor of Virginia Beach.

Harry Lester, John Malbon, and Dubby Wynne, Virginia Beach