CANDIDATE FORUM
Burke Urges Openness, Bennett Pushes Development
Cape Charles voters will choose between Dan Burke and Steve Bennett November 6 to replace Councilman-elect Don Clarke, who passed away in May. (Wave photo)
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
October 30, 2012
About 70 residents turned out last Thursday for a Candidate Forum at the Palace Theatre, where Steve Bennett and Dan Burke answered written questions submitted from the audience.
Northampton County Supervisor Willie Randall moderated the event.
In introductory statements, Steve Bennett cited his four years’ experience on Town Council. Bennett was defeated for re-election, but is getting a second chance to run due to the death of councilman-elect Don Clarke in May.
Bennett is a project manager with the architecture and engineering firm Clark Nexsen in Norfolk. Previously he was employed by Baymark Construction Corp., the developer of Bay Creek, where Bennett and his wife, Nan, live.
Bennett served on Town Council from 2008 until June 2012. During the forum he lamented both the previous lack of residents’ interest in town government as well as the current degree of contentiousness over the pending sale and use of the old school at Central Park. Bennett admitted that the sale of the old school “could have been handled better.”
Candidate Dan Burke emphasized his professional career at Schlumberger, the world’s largest oil exploration company, where he was manager of engineering, director of security, and an environmental affairs officer. Burke said he believed his career experience would serve him well when called on to make decisions as a councilman.
Now retired, Burke has lived in Cape Charles 14 months, although he and his wife, Linda, have vacationed here for years. Burke said they chose to live in Cape Charles after falling in love with its small town charm. They reside on Madison Avenue in the Historic District.
Burke is running on a platform of accountability, accessibility, and openness in government. He criticized Town Council for holding numerous closed session meetings resulting in decisions of major importance without input from town residents. [Read more…]
Town Council Candidates Bennett, Burke Face off Tonight
Dan Burke
Steve Bennett
By CAPE CHARLES WAVE STAFF
October 25, 2012
Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Palace Theater, Cape Charles residents will have a chance to hear and question the two candidates running for Town Council.
The candidates are, in alphabetical order, Steve Bennett, a Bay Creek resident with years of political activity in Cape Charles, and newcomer Dan Burke, who moved to the Historic District 16 months ago.
Town Council elections normally are in May. The November 6 special election, concurrent with the Presidential election, is due to the death of Don Clarke, who was elected May 1 to Town Council but passed away in June before taking office.
Thursday’s candidate forum was organized by Town staff with the cooperation of Arts Enter.
The moderator will be Northampton County Supervisor Willie Randall. [Read more…]
THURSDAY 10/25: Town Council Candidate Forum at Palace Theater
Cape Charles Town Council candidates Steve Bennett and Dan Burke will debate and answer questions at a candidate forum 6 p.m. Thursday, October 25, at the Palace Theatre. [Read more…]
3 Candidates File for November Town Council Election
Larry Veber
Dan Burke
Steve Bennett
By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
August 20, 2012
When Cape Charles voters enter the election booth on November 6 to choose their next President, senator, congressman, and more, they will also see a local race that for the first time in Town history is sharing space with a national election.
Way down at the bottom of the ballot will be a three-way race for one Town Council seat. The candidates are: Steve Bennett, Dan Burke, and Larry Veber.
Unlike the national contests, the local candidates will not be identified by political party, since Council races in Cape Charles are non-partisan.
Because the special Town election will take place concurrent with the Presidential election, no extra expense is incurred.
Virginia election law does not provide for runoffs. Whichever candidate receives the most votes wins. Where three candidates are vying for one seat, the winner hypothetically could receive as little as 34 percent of the vote if each of the other candidates received 33 percent.
Town Council elections normally are in May. The November special election is due to the death of Don Clarke, who was elected May 1 to Town Council but passed away in June before taking office.
After Clarke’s death, Town Council appointed Veber to serve in an interim capacity until a special election could be held.
Steve Bennett and Larry Veber were both elected to Town Council in 2008, and were both defeated for re-election in May 2012. Of the five candidates running in May, three were elected, Veber placed 4th, and Bennett came in 5th.
When Town Council had to pick an interim replacement for Clarke, the majority supported Veber. [Read more…]
