83rd Report: Candidate Forum Contrasts Experience with Enthusiasm

At the outset, Joe Bouchard explained that he is an active member of his civic league. He joined the Navy to serve his country and to get away from cows. His career culminated in command of the world's largest naval base. He emphasized transportation and education. On the other hand, Chris Stolle told the audience that he "got into this election because of health care." His health care emphasis, he explained, was a concern for demands of the aging baby boomers. He discussed his accomplishments while he served in the Navy; first as a submariner and then as a physician. However, most of the evening's discussion centered on the transportation plan.
A strong proponent of fiscal responsibility, Bouchard explained that as Commander of the Norfolk Naval Station he reduced the costs by $2 million per year for three years running. "You may hear about fiscal responsibility, but I've done it and I know how to do it. I will take that to Richmond and the General Assembly to save your tax dollars." That was contrasted with Chris Stolle's reliance on the mantra of reducing taxes and controlling spending. He marched that Republican standard systematically as evinced by his remark that "taxation is hurting us badly."

Stolle answered a query about the Governor's pre-K initiative saying he does not support it, although he recognizes that there are individuals who would benefit from the program. He argued that many are already in a pre-K program and "we'd have to see how many would benefit from that." That was contrasted with Bouchard's strong support for the Governor's program: "Focus on the children who need it the most; the children who will end up costing us money in services that will cost taxpayer dollars." He emphasized it is affordable when you consider the long term cost reductions that have resulted in states where it has been instituted.

Stolle said that we have a fantastic school system in Virginia Beach. He focused on the Standards of Quality and fully funding them and K-12 education along with technical education and higher education. Bouchard said that the General Assembly has been reducing its share of the education expenses paid for out of state revenue. In Virginia Beach it has gone down from about 50% to about 33%. He pointed out that the local governments have to make up that shortfall and that that shows up in local property taxes.

Though the Virginian Pilot quoted one of candidates as saying that the transportation bill is "a horrible bill" and the other as calling it "an abomination", you could not tell that from the responses to questions about the bill. Joe Bouchard told the gathering that it needs major surgery while he characterized Chris Stolle's proposals as band aids. Stolle did allow that there are improvements that can be made, and suggested that the "gas tax is the way to go."

Environmental issues were another area where Bouchard has distinguished himself. Again, during his tenure at Naval Station Norfolk his command was recognized for a variety of environmental awards; reducing pollution in the Elizabeth River and an Arbor Day award among them. "I know how it's done. I know what the problems are," he pointed out that Virginia's record of tangible support for the Chesapeake Bay is worst among the watershed states. Stolle did discuss the anecdotal concerns he has heard from the constituency as he has campaigned, such as the strong smell of effluent from ships in the Bay. He believes that there are sufficient laws; that they just need to be enforced.

When discussing the challenges of public safety and gang activity, compare Stolle's "I've had the opportunity to sit in on a couple of neighborhood watch meetings" to Joe's "as a neighborhood watch coordinator myself." Once again, Joe pointed out that the state has not been a full partner by living up to its responsibility for public safety. Stolle suggested a state task force for gangs, and argued that the state has done a very good job in fulfilling its public safety responsibility. He also offered that federal immigration enforcement has been lacking.

Throughout the encounter, the contrast was clear. This is a race between a candidate with a demonstrated record of managerial and civic accomplishment that provides, he argues, the relevant resume, and another candidate with significant professional achievements and strong beliefs that may or may not translate into effective leadership in the General Assembly.

Chris concluded with the theme that taxpayers are better able to determine how they spend their money. He said that the taxpayers of Virginia do not expect the General Assembly to throw money at every issue. He allowed that he did not think that the taxpayers were reassured that the General Assembly had done a good job spending their money. Joe concluded in part by telling the audience, "I am the candidate who has proven his ability to make government more efficient, to reduce waste. I have done it. I will take that skill to Richmond."

Cross posted at VBDems.org - Blogging our way to Democratic wins in Virginia Beach! Go RK!

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