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Milteer faces familiar challenge
Published Monday, October 27, 2008
A rematch in the Whaleyville Borough this election pits challenger Jay Quigley against Curtis Milteer, who beat him eight years ago.
Milteer, the current councilman for Whaleyville, has represented the area since 1980, spending two of those years as the appointed mayor.
Quigley, who works for Lipton Tea, has a background with both the Navy and the Suffolk Police Department.
Now, he’s back again challenging the man who serves almost as a human history book for City Council. Quigley says that his lack of historical connection to the city’s governing body is one of his best attributes.
“I’m not politically connected,” he said. “I don’t have a bunch of people supporting me (as far as contributing to my campaign). I really just want to get in there and do the right thing for the people of the Whaleyville borough and the whole city.”
“Someone needs to get in there and not put themselves first, which these career politicians do, acting like it’s their birthright to get this seat year after year.”
Quigley says that while out campaigning, he hears the plight of his fellow neighbors on issues from the assessment process to crime rates.
“I want their vote and I’m going in there with vigor and let the city manager and city staff know who they work for,” he said. “There’s not even a perception of me owing people anything, to me that’s good.”
While Quigley is embracing his position as a political outsider, Milteer counters that his experience over these past three decades makes him a better candidate and makes Suffolk a better city.
“We’re running our campaign on experience and performance,” he said.
Milteer said that in his seven terms of office, the city has spent more than $6 million in his borough for housing needs, recreational facilities and the community center in Whaleyville.
He also said that he sees the hurdles the residents of his borough must cross. Milteer has a series of challenges he wants to lead the people of Whaleyville through in the next four years, including improving the schools, upgrading tax exemptions for senior citizens and installing a sewage plant to service Whaleyville.
In a letter written to voters, Milteer calls his career on Council a “privilege,” adding that “now, more than ever, is the time for experienced representation on Council.”
The Whaleyville Borough is one of two with contested council seats this year. The Nansemond Borough features a contest between Trisha James and incumbent Leroy Bennett.
A preview of that race is set for Tuesday’s edition of the Suffolk News-Herald.
Election Day is Nov. 4.
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Comments
Posted by jaypquigley (anonymous) on October 28, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a good article, however I would like to add a few comments. I applaud Mr. Milteers efforts to better our borough, but I cannot help but notice his pride in pointing out his spending this or spending on that. These are tough times financially, and I would like to hear some of his accomplishments toward the goal of saving money and reducing taxes, thus giving us more money to spend on our personal needs. I also note that a drive through some of our neighborhoods shows the amount of neglect that been allowed to exist for decades. Claiming credit for the water project is an affront to the citizens who were denied the basic service of drinkable water for 30 plus years. The credit goes to the Virginia Health Department for forcing the city to provide us with water and, if after 28 years we still rely on septic tanks, it is unrealistic to think that the next four years will magically be different. Again, these are trying times for us all and we need to know that our elected officials are doing everything possible to not only enhance our quality of life, but to be frugal when it comes to wasting our tax dollars. Noting that you obtained six million dollars for our borough over a twenty eight year span for basic services that should have been a part of our every day lives is not an achievement, but an acknowledgement that the city still to this day is not looking out for the every day citizen. I hope to change that.
Jay P. Quigley
Posted by jamnik9502 (anonymous) on October 28, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to know how long Mr.Quigley has been a resident of Suffolk in the Whaleyville borough.
Posted by jaypquigley (anonymous) on October 28, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have lived at 138 Lane Street for 10 years.
Posted by jamnik9502 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well sir, not long enough. The Whaleyville borough is rooted in deep history with alot of families living in that borough for decades. Land passed down generation after generation. Personally I want someone who is going to preserve the history,and leave the borough as rural as possible. I don't want to see it grow like Northern Suffolk. I absolutely love waking up in the morning to quietness, and good smelling morning dew grass. I am not old at all,however, I feel with you in office that is what it would do. We need someone in office that has been in that borough for 25+ years. Who will help the real estate assessments, so a new generation can afford to experience a great life of rural Suffolk.
Posted by jaypquigley (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Perhaps you should check who has been getting donations from building association if you are concerned about more homes and increased assessments in our area. I happen to enjoy the same things you do as a resident of downtown Whaleyville. The real estate assessments have been increased consistantly over the years(decades?) and no one ounce of care for the residents has been displayed. Do you think our current council has any inclination to halt the sprawl of homes and businesses and preserve our rural area? Implying that 25 years as a council member equals care for the average citizen in faulty logic. Our current council has, for many years, voted in lockstep with each other to increase taxes, increase assessments, increase fees for service and embark on prospects that do not serve your or me. You should visit my myspace page and reread my positions in regard to the direction the city has been going. You may have mistaken me for someone else. City first, political career second.
Posted by eResumes4Vips (anonymous) on November 12, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a native-born Suffolkian; yet a transplanted Central Texan, my comment is not so much about the political challenge between the candidates. After all, I am ineligible to vote in Suffolk.
I observed Tuesday's Veterans Day holiday by witnessing a Military Parade. Units from America's III Phantom Warrior Corps, High School JROTC units, and Girl & Boy Scouts marched in cadence to the precision marches of the 1CD Army Band.
As a Military retiree, I felt a great sense of pride and patriotism. The parade excited me as if I were a kid on my Dad's shoulder while watching the East Suffolk H.S. Band marching in a Downtown Suffolk C-Mass Parade.
To be an American, during this historic time in history...it's truly surreal. A hopeful message of 'Yes, We Can!" permeates the hopes and dreams of Americans everywhere. Yet we have many challenges.
The 2008 Central Texas Veterans Day Parade was represented by 5 generations of war veterans...WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm/Iraqi Freedom. For an 8th season, we have soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines (women & men) serving in combat zones.
Suffolkians of the Whaleyville borough, were fortunate to have had not only one but Two military veteran candidates. Mr Quigley served in the US Navy; Mr Milteer, a Korean War Veteran.
I have never met Mr Quigley, yet with prejudice, I have met Councilman Milteer. He is my paternal uncle (Dad's side). As a child, I listened with awesomeness, Uncle Curtis' recollection of the bitter Korean winter on the demilitarized zone (DMZ). Strangely, he always smiled when discussing his war experiences...the hardships.
What's my point. "Yes, We Can!" That mantra, as ushered in by President-Elect Obama, is how we get things done. The beauty of it all, is that both Mr Quigley as well as Mr Milteer served our country honorably via military service. So that, Suffolkians, Virginians, Texans, and Americans would have the priviledge to make their own individual political choices.
The 2008 elections have passed; the real work is yet to begin. "Yes, We Can!" is perhaps more important today than at anytime in American's modern day history.
--Andre V. Milteer
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