David “Hutch” Hutcheson is a candidate for Virginia Beach City Council – District 1. His name will appear on the ballot on November 5, 2024.
Hutcheson, the incumbent, is running against Ryan T. Gilliam for Virginia Beach City Council – District 1.
The first day of in-person early voting at your local registrar’s office for this election is Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. Click here to see who is on your ballot.
10 On Your Side reached out to all of the candidates running in this race, with a request for a bio and a list of questions to answer. If you do not see the candidate listed with a profile, we did not receive one.
Biography: After 35 years of dedicated public service, Fire Chief David Hutcheson retired on December 1, 2022, from the Virginia Beach Fire Department. In January 2024, David was elected during a special election for the District 1 / Kempsville City Council seat. David is very involved and respected at the local, state, regional and federal level. He is an original member of Task Force 2 Urban and Search Rescue Team (VATF2) and was the Sponsoring Agency Chief for the team. Serving as a member of the VAFT2 has put David in many complex disaster situations including Oklahoma City Bombing, numerous hurricane deployments and the Haiti Earthquake of 2012. David Hutcheson has an undergraduate degree from Hampton University and has a masters degree in Homeland Security from the Center of Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Post Graduate School. Hutcheson is a member of numerous professional organizations including the Virginia Beach Fire Chiefs Association where he served on the Executive Board as president. He is extremely proud to have expanded the cancer presumptive legislation for all fire fighters in the Commonwealth which included a full JLARC study. He still co-chairs the Virginia Beach Rescue Conference. His family owns Greenbrier Florist, which his mother founded in 1977 and his sister runs today. David handles day-to-day operations at the florist. He was a long-term volunteer for Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team (NEST) and member of its executive board. He has been married to Amy for 33 years who retired as a crisis counselor and they have two sons one of which is a Virginia Beach firefighter and the other is a helicopter pilot for the U.S. Navy.
His passion to serve coupled with his passion for humanity, is evident in all his does.
Why are you running for this office?
I am seeking re-election to continue my commitment to serving the citizens and visitors of our great city. My journey began 37 years ago when I joined the Virginia Beach Fire Department as a Kempsville volunteer. Over the years, I advanced through the ranks, ultimately serving as Fire Chief until my retirement in January 2023.
During the last 12 years of my career, particularly after serving as Chief of Operations, I worked on various teams across the city. This experience allowed me to build relationships and gain insights into the workings of other departments, including Public Works, Management Services, Human Services, Emergency Management, E911, and the Police Department.
With this extensive knowledge, I have spent my first six months as the District 1 Council Member, applying what I’ve learned to benefit both District 1 and the entire city. My priorities remain: enhancing public safety, ensuring high-quality education for every child, improving workforce housing, expanding access to mental health services, and fiercely safeguarding taxpayer dollars.
What is the top challenge facing Virginia Beach, and how would you address it?
In the past six months, I have personally spoken with over 500 constituents from District 1, as well as citywide residents and business leaders. The key issues they have raised include roads, education, mental health, flooding, and affordable housing. Among these concerns, safety has emerged as a predominant theme, encompassing various aspects. Most frequently, constituents have highlighted the need for traffic calming measures in their neighborhoods and addressing flooding issues throughout the city.
In the coming four years, I will work closely with city staff to prioritize and tackle our district’s roadway concerns and address the significant stormwater issues we face, with an understanding that more challenges are likely ahead.
What is your view on preserving agricultural land while also addressing the affordable housing crisis?
When addressing issues in other districts, I will carefully consider the perspectives of both constituents and council members in those areas. Considering Councilwoman Barbara Henley’s concerns and those of her constituents, I advocate for a cautious approach to service extensions until further data can be reviewed. I expect reciprocal respect from fellow council members regarding District One’s preferences, ensuring that decisions are made with a focus on community interests and well-being. However, it is essential that our city remains accessible and affordable for everyone to foster a thriving community. We cannot truly be a community if city workers cannot afford to live here. We must first explore all possible solutions and then identify areas where affordable housing can be developed, particularly in existing mixed-use options. For example, aging shopping centers present opportunities to introduce mixed-use housing. I am currently collaborating with developers on three projects in District 1, including the conversion of a 1970s shopping center into mixed-use condos and apartments. This initiative aims to provide affordable housing and reduce runoff into the Elizabeth River by decreasing the asphalt footprint. The Council should continuously review and update policies to ensure the cost and feasibility of building and living in Virginia Beach remain manageable.
How do you view Virginia Beach’s continued growth strategy? What would you change?
The core of my work philosophy is collaborating with residents, city staff, and stakeholders. Effective governance starts with listening to and trusting subject matter experts. In 2023, the Planning Department developed a 2040 comprehensive plan update to guide future development across the city. The comprehensive plan is exactly that—comprehensive. It is unrealistic to expect any one person to fully articulate this strategy in concrete terms, as it is a living document that is periodically amended to reflect current trends and needs. The city staff and our residents did just that in 2024 and it is an ongoing process.
What is your view on changing the operational model of the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center?
When the current operational model was first brought to my attention during one of my initial council briefs, and I learned of the interest from private entities in forming a partnership, I believed it was in the best interest of Virginia Beach taxpayers to explore all available options and have a fully transparent process. The amount needed for infrastructure repairs runs into the multimillion-dollar range, and the annual tax burden we are requesting from citizens is unsustainable.
That said, I am fully supportive of giving the foundation ample time to work with city staff to develop a plan that ensures a healthy environment for our marine life, our citizens, and visitors to the center.
What is your view on taking money from individuals who will likely have business before the city?
In compliance with Virginia campaign finance laws, all campaign contributions are publicly accessible. I fully adhere to these regulations and will recuse myself from any decisions if a conflict of interest arises.
How will you still value constituents with whom you disagree with?
I dedicated 35 years of my life to the Virginia Beach Fire Department, with the last ten years serving as either Chief of Operations or Fire Chief, leading over 500 personnel. Throughout my career, I have encountered a wide range of opinions and perspectives. One of my strengths has been my ability to listen and gather information, valuing others’ viewpoints even when they differ from my own. Early on, I learned the importance of surrounding myself with people who provide honest feedback rather than just telling me what I wanted to hear. This approach has been crucial both in life, in the fire service, and now serving on City Council where it’s vital to have a realistic and informed perspective, because if not it could be downright dangerous.