Biography: Christine E. Smith is a native of Norfolk, VA. She was born and raised in the Berkley section of the city and currently resides on the east side. Christine graduated from Lake Taylor Senior High School. She has a degree in Accounting from Hampton University. Christine is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 35 years of experience in government accounting. Some of her experience includes being a Deputy Comptroller, Adjunct Instructor, Auditor, Budget Analyst and a Norfolk City Deputy City Treasurer. Christine was also responsible for developing, implementing, and managing an Entry Level Professional Accountant and Mentoring Program for a former employer. In this program, Christine prepared entry and junior level employees for roles in leadership. Her experience as a Certified Public Accountant will be well utilized in making budget decisions for the city council.

While she has been successful in her professional career, Christine also finds time to give back to her community. She provides financial literacy workshops for faith-based organizations and nonprofit entities. Christine is a member of the Norfolk Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a public service organization that focuses on promoting academic excellence, social responsibility and civic engagement. She tutors high school and college students in algebra and accounting. She also tutors our youth in reading and math. In the 1990s, seeing a need in her community, Christine started a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. This was an IRS-sponsored program that provided income tax assistance to low-income individuals. Additionally, Christine served on the Planning Commission in Norfolk, VA. In this capacity, she advised the city council regarding community growth, economic development, land use and zoning. Her experience on the Planning Commission will prove to be invaluable to the City Council decision-making process. Furthermore, Christine was elected to the Norfolk Public Schools School Board to represent Ward 4. Her role on the school board was to develop policies that focused on improving student achievement. She’s very familiar with the demands of public office. Christine wants to use the knowledge and skills she’s acquired as a CPA, and former member of the planning commission and elected school board member, to help move Norfolk forward with fiscal responsibility, and in economic development and public safety.

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

Public safety is a top challenge facing Norfolk. While 2023 saw a significant decrease in crime, city efforts must continue until we all feel safe. We need to hire, train, equip, and retain quality law enforcement, fire and safety, emergency medical services and personnel and hold them accountable for the overall safety of our city. Recruitment should start with our students in Norfolk Public Schools for entry-level positions. Additionally, we should recruit students attending our local colleges such as TCC, NSU, ODU and others. Furthermore, consideration should be given to local former military personnel. They often have the training and expertise to serve in these positions. NPS students, local college students and prior military personnel are people who generally possess a vested interest in the city where they reside. This is just one way to leverage local resources to support the needs of our city. We need to incorporate this concept as much as possible. I also believe additional adjustments can be identified within the budget to better address this need.

What is your view addressing the affordable housing crisis?

I would like to see more affordable housing infused with market-rate housing and less concentration of poverty. We can create zoning policies that address affordable housing with below-market rates. This concept could be extremely effective when developers request special exceptions to rezone land for housing. The city could possibly offer developers incentives to set aside units to be rented or purchased at below-market prices.

Do you believe the city focuses too much of its efforts downtown at the expense of other areas in the city?

The city has done a great job jumpstarting development downtown. I believe downtown is quickly getting to a place where it will be self-sufficient in development and the city can begin to direct resources towards other areas, especially Superward 7 including Booker T. Washington High School.

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

The materiality and frequency of monetary donations should be taken into consideration to avoid a conflict of interest and/or impropriety, real or perceived. If a public official receives substantial and frequent contributions from a donor, they should recuse themselves from voting on projects associated with that donor. Policy would need to be established to define new or change existing requirements.

Norfolk has long been accused of having a shadow government, in which decisions are made by influential business leaders who support certain elected officials. Is this a fair criticism?

I believe every city in the USA including Norfolk has “various” groups of influential leaders who support specific candidates and elected officials. It is an inherent characteristic that’s embedded in the political process and should not be limited to a single group when discussing influential business leaders who support certain elected officials in Norfolk, VA.