Name: Richard W. “RK” Kowalewitch
Age: 64
Website: https://www.facebook.com/RKforVBMayor

Biography: Owned and operated RK’s Surf Shop at the oceanfront for 31 years. Currently, self-employed in residential construction and building with an OSHA certification. My wife retired in 2019 after 38 years of teaching school. I am been heavily involved in local politics for the last 24 years. When I saw corruption, I have gone after it to fix it. I will do the same if elected. John Atkinson and I worked together to keep the bad deal of light rail from coming to Virginia Beach. I have been talking about the importance of keeping up with stormwater maintenance and about the lawlessness at the oceanfront and the shortage of police officers in Virginia Beach for over 17 years. Many times, I have spoken in front of City Council and other local groups on many issues concerning the local community–including election integrity!

What is the top challenge facing Virginia Beach, and how would you address it?

• To follow proper procedures to fix defects in the City Charter & to stop violations of election law. Below are 2 examples:
  • Charter § 3.01:1 states Va. Bch. has a 7-3-1 at large voting system. The voting system was changed knowingly and illegally by City officials in 2022 to a 10-1 district system. Officials claim there is a court order. That court order was VACATED. Va. Code § 15.2-200 was NOT followed to legally amend the charter. An ordinance does not supersede the charter of a city. The Charter takes precedence over general state law as well. The Charter is a superior law. The Charter can only be changed by having a charter election/referendum and then having the General Assembly approve the Charter change with a 2/3’s vote in both houses.
  • In the mayor’s race for 2024, there are 2 INELIGIBLE candidates. These two candidates violated Charter § 3.02:2, The Constitution of Virginia Article VII Section 8, and Va. Code § 15.2-1535. These candidates should NOT be on the ballot in November.
• Worst economy in 50 years. We cannot tax our citizens out of our city. It is a huge mistake. We need to run a leaner government to help our citizens in these hard times. Citizens’ needs should be addressed first; not the needs of special interests.

What is your view on preserving agricultural land while also addressing the affordable housing crisis?

• The Green Line needs to be observed. The Agricultural Reserve Program needs to be audited and tweaked.
• Unfortunately, in a free market economy, the market dictates what the price of houses will be. The City of VB carries $1.2B in bond debt, not counting the unfunded unmandated pension liabilities. I do not think it is fair for citizens to pay for one person’s gains or the profits of any developers.

I think it needs to be explored to provide some incentives for police, firefighters, and teachers. They are a key part of the economic structure in a free enterprise system. I am for whatever will make this city better and is fair for all businesses and citizens. The citizens and businesses are already paying high taxes and fees. I want to decrease these, not increase them. I will be fiscally responsible with our budget.

How do you view Virginia Beach’s continued growth strategy? What would you change?

The Green Line needs to be observed. I do not feel the City should be changing existing neighborhood single-family zoning to multi-use without consent of the neighborhood. If there is an opportunity in a new development area, we can then have a conversation.

What is your view on changing the operational model of the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center?

I believe the City should continue to own it, but hire proper management that will work for the City, and come up with a realistic strategy with a priority list of how to address repairs and budgeting. I would be glad to serve on that committee.

What is your view on taking money from individuals who will likely have business before the
city?

I am assuming you are referring to campaign contributions in this question. I believe Va. Code § 2.2-3100, conflict of interest law, should be followed. I will work with legislators to make them even more stringent. I will also seek a Charter change to put the strongest language possible with consequences for the appearance of improprieties to be addressed. I believe the government should be fully transparent. I believe all elected and appointed officials must be transparent. Officials violating these laws need to be held accountable and have consequences. Trust in government is essential for the citizens.

How will you still value constituents with whom you disagree with?

I will listen to all citizens with an open mind. I believe in a level playing field for all businesses and citizens. City decisions need to made that would not set a bad precedence for the future.

I believe we should honor the law in having local nonpartisan elections. In a nonpartisan race, there should be NO endorsement of candidates by any party. There should be severe consequences for candidates and the parties violating the nonpartisan rule. If the citizens want to change their local elections to partisan, that would require going through the proper steps to add it to the Charter.