Citizens peppered Weeks with questions and concerns about the current mayor's disconnect with citizens, particularly on the city's weak immigration policy and sky-high property taxes.

Weeks addressed those issues as well as several other hot topics civic league members asked.

Immigration

Question
Should Virginia Beach become a sanctuary for illegal immigrants?

Answer
In 1986, the federal government promised to crack down on illegal immigrants. That has not happened. Many of the illegal immigrants here are ones who have overstayed their visas.

Three things are clear.

One, the "don't ask don't tell" policy of Virginia Beach refusing to ask national origin during an arrest was wrong and was recently changed.

Two, we need to be tough about fines for businesses who knowingly violate the law. And we need to push for greater latitude at the federal level to expand legal work programs.

Three, this needs to be a concerted effort among federal, state and local governments to be effective. No one part of government can do this alone.

We are a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws. If you or I evade paying income taxes, we have severe penalties. You shouldn't be able to live and work in the United States while evading taxes and living in secrecy.

Question
Should landlords be allowed to rent to illegal?

Answer
If renters are illegal, they should be evicted or the business license of the renter will be revoked. Landlords should submit documentation to the city of the tenants' immigrant status and the city should check with the federal government. If tenants are illegal, they should be evicted or the renter will lose his or her business license.

Property Tax

Questions
Q - How much money does the city need to operate?
A - Much less than it's getting.

Q - Is it being spent wisely?
A - I don't think it is. It's a question of priorities. How much is enough when it comes to public-private partnerships and building more communities in an already congested city. At what point do we begin to reprioritize our efforts and focus on the communities and citizens we already have, and the children growing up in those communities.

Where Virginia Beach gets into trouble is in its excess. The mayor is supposed to be a leader in this area, and in my opinion she's done great for most of her career, but she is now a sideline player allowing other folks to set the course for this city. I am running for mayor to change that.

I want to cap real estate assessments at a certain percentage every year. Just because your home is worth more, doesn't mean City Hall should get more.

No longer will you receive from the city a real estate assessment that has jumped more than 20% in one year. I will end double digit assessment growth.

When the cost of homes goes up 20% a year, you're squeezing your citizens out of the community.

Question
What additional improvements can be made to schools without additional tax money?

Answer
Again, I think it's a matter of priorities, and I think we need to reprioritize our thinking when it comes to our schools.

For example:

- The demand for high paying skilled labor in our area is high, but we don't promote that in our schools.

- We've financed and created some outstanding high school magnate academies for college bound students such as the Health Sciences Academy at Bayside High School, the International Baccalaureate Program at Princess Anne High School, the Legal Studies Academy at First Colonial High School, the Mathematics and Science Academy at Ocean Lakes High School, the Technology Academy at Landstown High School, the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Salem High School, and the Global Studies Academy at Tallwood High School.

- I support all these programs and feel they are a wonderful stepping stones to success. But I will also pursue the same investment and focus for Vo-Tech schools for skilled labor such as masonry, mechanics, electricians, air conditioning/refrigeration and heating, auto body and paint technology, automotive services technology, carpentry, cosmetology, culinary, electricity, plumbing and heating, welding, early childhood education, fashion design, practical nursing, and more.

- We love to see our seniors head off to college, but a majority of our high school seniors are not going to college...that's always been a fact...and it continues to be a fact. We need to direct more attention, focus and investment in our Vo-Tech programs so these young adults can fill the tremendous need we have for skilled labor and make a decent living.

The principal sets the tone for the school. And if too much authority is stripped from that position, then you'll have mediocre schools. Leaders need to have the authority to get the job done.

Crime

Question
How can the city deal with gang issues?
Would you lobby on the state level on behalf of the magistrate's office to include new funds to hire additional magistrates and other staff members?

Answer
The first thing to understand is gangs are a regional issue. One city doesn't just have them, and they don't stop at the city line. So, the first thing I'd do is call a summit of city leaders in our neighboring cities and strategically work together on this issue.

Of course, we'll need state assistance, and the Attorney General's office has been a leader in alerting cities across the Commonwealth.

We need to educate citizens, families, and parents on how to spot behaviors that lend themselves to gang activity.

And we need to work with the General Assembly to firm up penalties for those involved in gang activity, too.

Recreation Center

Question
If elected, how can you ensure that Bayside will be a full-size recreation center as opposed to a scaled down size as is proposed?

Answer
It's a question of competition for dollars, and it's one we need to win.

Oceanfront and Town Center get a good share of the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funds, and road improvements seem targeted to the southern part of the city. Bayside needs to make its case to Council and to a Mayor who believes in spending money where it counts - in the neighborhoods without hotels.

Creating community recreation centers was one of the smartest decisions our past leaders made. I know there is enough money to give Bayside a full-size recreation center. Again, it's a matter of reprioritizing our efforts, and I would be willing to lead the way for Bayside on that matter if elected.