Roger Fawcett is a candidate for Suffolk City Council – Sleepy Hole Borough. His name will appear on the ballot on November 5, 2024.
Fawcett, who currently sits on Suffolk City Council, is running against Ebony N. Wright for Suffolk City Council – Sleepy Hole Borough.
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.
Name: Roger Fawcett
Age: 72
Website: rogerfawcett.com
Biography: My wife and I have lived in Suffolk for 23 years. We have three adult children. I dedicated my life to public service. I capped my career as a firefighter by serving as Fire Chief at the Norfolk Naval Base. I then served with the Virginia State Police as a sex crimes compliance investigator. As a young man, I served as a sailor in the US Navy. Today I serve “full-time” as the Sleepy Hole Borough member of Suffolk City Council.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for re-election for the Sleepy Hole Borough seat on City Council to continue my important work on excellent and conservative financial management of taxpayer dollars while also providing the city services that city residents told me that they want. These services include fun and accessible parks and recreation centers, excellent and responsive first responders, funding great schools, well-stocked libraries, and highways that move our residents without too much congestion. Highway congestion is a tough one to fix due to the incredibly high costs of new bridges and highways. It’s an important fight and I am working to get these road projects funded and constructed.
What is the top challenge facing Suffolk, and how would you address it?
The top challenge is keeping taxes low during these times of high inflation and runaway prices for the many items Suffolk needs. I support responsible economic development for commercial uses that reduce the tax burden on families and homeowners. This is a top priority. Commercial properties do not have children. They do not use parks and libraries. The benefit is that the taxes paid by these properties has the effect of reducing the tax burden on our residents who need great schools, park and libraries and other city-provided services. These commercial properties provide jobs and pay taxes, but do not use many of our resources and services in return. Commercial development and new jobs are a win-win for the city’s homeowners and residents. As a Member of Council, I focus on this challenge by being pro-business, keeping our tax rate low, our city streets safe and funding our public schools and first responders.
What is your view on preserving agricultural land while also addressing the affordable housing crisis?
Both of these two so-called “competing” goals can be accomplished. There is so much property that is ripe for housing development in areas that are NOT agricultural lands. There is no reason to pave over and build subdivisions on farmland. It can – and should! – be avoided. The City’s comprehensive plan determines zoning that identifies agricultural lands and residential properties and we are developing the Suffolk 2045 plan to lay out our long-term plans.
How do you view Suffolk’s growth strategy? What would you change?
City Council is developing the Suffolk 2045 plan to lay out the long-term growth and economic plans. I encourage residents who are interested to get involved in this discussion. I gladly welcome citizen input and ideas. This fall I hope to support a plan that protects and defines our green spaces, parks, and waterways, identifies our growth corridors and outlines our plans for managing responsible growth.
What is your view on taking money from individuals who will likely have business before the city?
Let us be very clear about this; I do not take money from anyone. People donate to my campaign committee because they support my candidacy for city council. I strictly follow the laws of the Commonwealth. I report all contributions made over $100 by the deadlines set by the State Board of Elections. This disclosure of contributions brings transparency. If any voter has a question for me about a campaign contribution, I am happy to answer their question and listen to their concerns. Over the course of 12 years serving in public office, no one has ever questioned me about a contribution to my campaign.
How will you still value constituents with whom you disagree with?
I respect that other people may have opinions and ideas different from my own. Importantly, I am always willing to listen and hear them and their views. We live in a representative democracy. Our Constitution preserves our right to free speech and peaceful assembly. I took an oath as a young Navy sailor to defend that right. That oath never expires! As a public servant, I enjoy hearing and listening to the views of others, even views that I might disagree with. That is part of what makes America great!