The following message was was originally sent to Portsmouth City Council on January 11, 2021. Unfortunately, it appears that a council majority bloc is intent on opening the City of Portsmouth to numerous potential law suits with its inexplicable actions related to the selection of a Portsmouth City Manager. Nonetheless, the truth will come out.

Portsmouth City Council Members:

It is an understatement to say that Portsmouth, VA, is at a critical crossroads in its future. Portsmouth suffers from a declining population, increased poverty, failure to attract viable businesses, a large number of unhealthy citizens, high taxes and racial problems. Should I name more problems? Yes, this City Council has already made some highly questionable appointments.

When Norfolk, VA, went looking for a City Manager, this is who Norfolk hired:

Larry “Chip” Filer, PhD. Larry “Chip” Filer, PhD steps into the role of City Manager following a long and illustrious career in innovation and economic development at Old Dominion University. Dr. Filer served as the Associate Vice President for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development as well as a Senior Fellow in the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy and a Fellow in the Commonwealth Center for Recurrent Flooding Resiliency.

When Virginia Beach went looking for a City Manager, this is who Virginia Beach hired.

Patrick A. Duhaney joined the City of Virginia Beach as city manager in July, 2020. Prior to taking on his new role, he served as city manager of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he had been employed since 2009. While there, Duhaney served in a variety of roles, including contract compliance specialist, chief procurement officer and assistant city manager. Before his work in local government, Duhaney served in the U.S. Army on active duty and in reserve capacity from 1999 to 2015 under combat.

The summaries above are from the respective cities’ websites.

It is the City Council’s duty and responsibility to hire a City Manager with the education, knowledge and experience to move Portsmouth forward. The citizens of Portsmouth will hold you accountable for your actions.

Sincerely,
Lawrence Owes, President
Westbury Improvement Association