Dwayne Whitehead: Virginia has been luckier than some states, with a lower, overall unemployment rate, but we all know somebody who has been hit by the stagnant economy. We’ve all seen the unsold houses, the empty apartments, and the closed businesses. There are simple solutions.
We need to reduce the regulations that hurt small businesses. The vast majority of jobs in our country are created by small businesses, yet we pass laws and regulations that cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. That money, instead of paying for bureaucratic red tape, could be paying your salary, or providing a job for your neighbor or friend.
We need to improve education – statewide. Some of our schools systems in Virginia are state-of-the-art, but as a state, our test scores are not improving, and the 74th District in particular has a number of failing schools. To attract businesses, we need to offer an attractive workforce of bright, educated, and motivated young adults, and a school system that continues to serve the needs of ALL Virginia’s children.
We need to keep taxes fair and consistent. We cannot lower tax rates temporarily for large corporations, then raise them on small, local businesses to make up the difference. We cannot lure businesses here with gimmicky tax deals, only to raise rates unreasonably later on. And we cannot expect our small business leaders to grow, and hire, and succeed if we do not give them a healthy, reliable business environment.
The formula for jobs? Fair Rules. Flourishing Schools. Fair Taxes.
Dwayne Whitehead: As a life-long native of the Richmond area, I am a product of our city schools, and I have children of my own now attending schools in the area. I have watched as these schools have struggled financially to be everything for every child; I have seen these schools wrestle with difficult home situations that bring some children into our schools unprepared or unmotivated to learn; and I have watched as the school systems have slipped into despair, leaving teachers frustrated by requirements that prevent them from teaching the basics; parents distrustful of schools that seem to disregard their input; and children – the ultimate tragedy – without the skills and education they need to succeed in life.
For too long, we have all seen the problems, but we sit on the bench with our own team, refusing to work with the other team to create solutions. But solutions do not have political philosophies, and children do not wear party labels, and the businesses looking for skilled employees care less which way the lever gets pulled, and more about giving their businesses a chance to grow and profit.
As an independent, I pledge to work with all parties – the parents and the teachers, the democrats and the republicans, and the leaders of Virginia, to find solutions for our troubled schools, our stagnant test rates, and our lack of skilled workers. As long as children are failing, we cannot rule out any option that might help. In education, I'm an "all of the above" guy.
Fixing education is a two-for-one winner – our kids get better educations now; and our local businesses have a better workforce tomorrow.
Dwayne Whitehead: My priority -- and guiding principle -- in the legislature is the restoration of human dignity. Our society is founded on the idea of contributing citizens. When government programs, no matter how well intended, cause people to become dependent, instead of helping people to remain independent, we all lose something.
Every single law enacted in Virginia should encourage all of us to be the best we can be, not the least. I will view every piece of legislation through that lens -- does it build up our dignity, or does it tear it down? Does it leave us stronger, as individuals, and as a community, or does it leave us weaker?
The subtle undermining of human dignity can be seen in deteriorating neighborhoods, in rising crime rates, in struggling schools, and in broken families. While we cannot legislate dignity, we as leaders should model it, and we as legislators should protect it.
payers -- instead of creating methods to ensure that they pay for their crimes while still working and supporting their families. We allow neighborhoods to deteriorate. We raise children with no sense of real accomplishment.
Every single law enacted in the state of Virginia should enhance human dignity, rather than detract from it.
Dwayne Whitehead: The 74th District needs effective and respected leadership.
In four years in office, Mr. Morrissey has only been able to pass four relatively insignificant bills. He talks about the legislation he's introduced, but the truth is, 80% of his bills have been entirely ignored by his colleagues.
As a citizen, I have a proven track record for identifying problems and bringing people together to implement solutions. As an independent, I have worked successfully with both Democrats and Republicans to get things done. I have earned the respect of my peers and my community, as well as the esteem of the many leaders with whom I have worked over the years.
Once in office, I will continue to pull people into the aisle with me to pass effective legislation to strengthen our families, improve our schools, protect the investment we have made in our neighborhoods, promote business growth, and create a brighter future and a better Virginia.
Joseph D. Morrissey: Answer not Available
Joseph D. Morrissey: Answer not Available
Joseph D. Morrissey: Answer not Available
Joseph D. Morrissey: Answer not Available
Campaign Address:
Dwayne Whitehead for Delegate
5928 Nine Mile Road, Suite 3
Henrico, VA 23223
Campaign phone:
(804) 381-6866
Campaign Email:
info@whiteheadfordelegate.com
Phone (direct):
(804) 836-3162
Incumbent?:
No
Age:
45
Career:
For nearly twenty years, Dwayne Whitehead has served as the pastor of World Overcomers Church in Fulton Hill. He has been actively involved in neighborhood and regional programs, working to address problems of education, housing, and poverty. He developed Good Samaritan Escort Service, to transport the elderly and disabled; Take It To The Bank, to teach teens money management; after-school programs for troubled youth; and summer daycare for working parents. He has worked with the Fulton Hill Civic Association, the Church Hill Neighborhood Housing Board, the Micah Initiative to support and enhance public schools, the Character Club, to help children build character and connections, and AMEN fellowship. He and his wife have seven children, and have raised three foster children.
Biographical Information
