Remarks for Mayor Fraim
Announcement to Run for Mayor 2010
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
11AM
Downtown Marriott Hotel

On May 2, 2006, for the first time in 90 years the citizens of Norfolk selected their mayor by popular vote. History was made.

This May 4, 2010, for only the second time in 94 years, they will again have that opportunity.

I was highly honored to have been selected your mayor four years ago.

Today, I come to you again, once more asking for the privilege of serving you.

And, so I now announce my candidacy for the office of Mayor of the great city of Norfolk.

It has actually been my honor to have worked for you as your mayor for the last 16 years. It is what I do every day. It is my passion.

Most would agree that Norfolk has come a long way in that period of time, making tremendous progress across the City. There is a widely shared belief that we are headed in the right direction.

Because of the progress, because of the experience which I have gained over time and can still put to work for all of the City, I believe I have earned the right to ask for your vote.

I am prepared to run on my record of accomplishment as a public servant.

Global, national and state economic downturns have certainly had their impact on this City and our budget. But, I stand here today confident that we are weathering this crisis and are poised to move forward.

Since becoming the popular elected mayor we have lowered the tax rate from $1.35 to $1.11 – a full 24 cents or 18 percent in the last four years. We have diversified our economy, survived the closing of the Ford Plant and expanded the real estate tax base by seven billion dollars.

But elections are about the future and there is much to do.

Our school system, already an urban model of success, needs improving. We need to do more to improve the physical needs of our school buildings.

The crime rate is lower, but it needs to be reduced even more. We need to pay more attention to youth and gang violence.

The quality of life, as good as it is, could be better. We, and the region, need to do a better job of supporting the arts. And we are soon going to build one of the great public libraries in the country, thanks in large measure to Frank and Jane Batten.

We have to continue our support for the military, their families and our veterans. We need to become the best place in the world for the military to do business and remain the only port for nuclear aircraft carriers on the East Coast.

My optimism about the future rests not only on our ability to accomplish what I have just mentioned, but also on what I see unfolding in the months ahead.

A light rail mass transit system, the envy of the Commonwealth, is in our immediate future. A high-speed heavy rail passenger system which will connect us to the East Coast high-speed corridor is bound for us. Of this I am certain. The expansion of the mid-town tunnel is being finalized.

Even in these difficult times, over a billion dollars of construction is underway – a strong vote of confidence in the future of the City.

We are well-positioned to become the transportation center for the region and economic, financial, education and arts hub of Hampton Roads.

While all of this will come to pass – governing is really about representing the people.

We live in a perfectly diverse community. Your mayor must be mindful of this every day and work to ensure that matters concerning civil rights, equality, affordable housing, safe streets and neighborhoods and promised resources for all of our public schools be delivered fairly, consistently, and address daily by the mayor.

I again commit to you, all of you, to be such a mayor.

My continued goal is to unite this City by leading a government that is inclusive in its approach to community issues, that builds on its diversity – a government that is accountable and is a force for good and optimism in the lives of all of its people – a government that values its citizens and its employees.

No mayor accomplishes anything by himself. Together with the City Council, the General Assembly delegation and the constitutional offers, the mayor must lead a united approach in order to move Norfolk forward. Your elected officials should work as a team for the common good. That is why I am so thankful to be joined here today by so many of Norfolk’s elected leadership and thankful for their support.

As I look around this room, I see so many people who have been important in the life of this City and in my life. I have learned from each of you.

While we have sometimes differed, we have never questioned each other’s love for Norfolk, and you have always supported me and my family and for that I am very, very thankful.

I ask again for your support. As our campaign moves forward we must recommit ourselves to the rewarding task of building a brighter future for our daughters and sons. And, if we do, we will deliver another historic victory for all of Norfolk.

Thank you very much.