Daun Hester: 'No more fear tactics'

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - It's a challenge, but Norfolk Councilwoman Daun Hester said she is ready for it -- taking on veteran Mayor Paul Fraim in the coming election on May 4.

In her first interview about her campaign, Hester told WAVY.com that the city's leadership has lost touch with the citizens. She said it's time for more transparency and more collaboration with the people the city serves.

"I think it's time," said Hester. "I know it's time. We just can't keep operating as we are, with people being in fear that they will lose something if they disagree with you. We're not going to do that any longer, not in this city, not with me as mayor. It's not right. It's time for me to stand up for the citizens. It's time to help move us in a direction where our citizens feel included, where they are a part of the process, where we value their opinion."

Hester, the first African-American woman elected to Norfolk's city council, said the city is in serious need of change. "We just can't keep going in this direction, and if I don't do it who will?"

Hester said she thought for a long time about the ups and downs of risking a run for mayor. "And once I decided, I said, 'OK, let's just go for it.'"

The soft-spoken former teacher said her decision to run shocked many people, even her own friends. "One of my colleagues said to me, 'Daun, have you lost your mind?' And I said, 'No. I've found it!'"

She also found a strong desire to change the way the city operates. "We can't operate from a Gestapo tactic where it's my way or no way."

But what are Hester's chances in upseating a popular mayor who has held the post since 1994?

"My chances are great," said a confident Hester. "I have been just overjoyed, overwhelmed with the response from people about my deciding to run."

She said there are even more people who support her, privately. "Where people are afraid to publicly support you because they don't know if they will be ostracized or if their neighborhoods won't receive funding depending on who is on the council. That's not the way for a city to operate."

"I know I've had enough experience and I have the skills and the talent to lead."

When it comes to support from her fellow councilmembers, they are all lined up behind Mayor Fraim.

But Hester said, "It's not the other seven councilmembers who will make or break this election, it's the people in the communities. They're the ones I'm concerned about. They're the ones that I want to stand with me."

Hester's run for mayor comes at huge political risk. After 14 years on council, if she loses, city code will force Hester to give up her seat.

"But, I'm planning to win. I'm planning for the citizens to come out and say, 'We do want something different. We do want change. We do want a leader who will work with us, come help pick up trash with us, who will walk in the neighborhoods with us, who will listen to us, who, even when we disagree, will still agree to have a conversation. You know, you can't just cut off people when they disagree with you.

"I'm risking this for the citizens of Norfolk and for the city and the direction that the citizens want to move in. As an elected official I am supposed to take risks for the citizens. And, if they want me they will keep me. They will make sure that I am in this position."

Hester said if she becomes mayor she has several top priorities. "I think we need to concentrate more on small businesses.

"We have to help them move to a more global economy. I think if a business wants to compete in our city we need to be able to open the process so that we have more people, more businesses being able to take advantage of some of the contracts and procurement opportunities we have to offer. We don't do that very well."

Hester also said Norfolk businesses sometimes operate in an environment of fear. "The business owner may not agree with something that a council member wants than we ostracize that business and they don't get any business. Those things do happen."

"But, you know neighborhoods are my passion," said Hester. "We are doing something now in neighborhoods that is exciting and new and took Dr. Whibley and I three years to get it approved by council. In four of our communities, Park Place, Lambert's Point, Kensington and Villa Heights, we are beginning what we are calling a 'visioning process.' We are empowering citizens to better their own communities. It's the things they want to see done, how they want them done, including themselves in the process and the city supports that."

Hester said the people in the neighborhoods should have more control in making their corner of the world safer and more beautiful. "Is it trimming the Crape Myrtle trees we have all over the place that makes it look pleasing. Is it providing just a few dollars for say neighborhood blocks to compete for $1,500 to be able to help with painting and putting out shrubbery on a block. It's things like that that get people involved and engaged and talking to each other. We've