William S. Dodson, Jr. is a candidate for Portsmouth City Council. His name will appear on the ballot on November 5, 2024.
Dodson is running against ten challengers for Portsmouth City Council. They are vying for three open seats.
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:
Schooling:
- Certificate New York University Endodontics 2000
- DMD University of Florida, Dentistry 98
- BS University of Arizona Aerospace Engineering 83
- BA University of Richmond Mathematics and Psychology 80
- Nansemond Suffolk Academy 73-75
- Norfolk Academy 70-73
- St. Teresa Elementary Portsmouth 63-70 (Portsmouth’s first fully integrated school)
Business and Employment:
- Master Distiller, 8 Shires Coloniale Distillery 2004-Present
- Endodontist, Dodson Endodontics 2000-Present
- Instructor Osher Institute William & Mary 2022
- Instructor MCV Dental School 2005-6
- Instructor NYU Dental School 1998-2000
- Missions Trips (Panama, Haiti & Dominican Republic) 1994-1999
- Jupiter Nut Farm (plant nursery) 1984-1994
- Pratt & Whitney, Aerospace Engineer 1983-1994
- Hughes Aircraft, Computer Programmer 1982-1983
- Maymount Psychiatric Hospital, Ward Counsellor 1982
- Psychiatric Institute of Richmond, Ward Counsellor 1980-1982
- CC Chicanos Restaurant, Waiter, 1978-1979
- Maryview Hospital, ER and XRAY orderly 1976-1977
- Elisabeth Manor Club, Pool manager 1975-1976
- Waterman, self employed, 1972-1974
Other:
- Palm Beach County, Planning advisory committee (1988?)
- Gloucester County Green Committee (2010?)
Hobbies:
Many over the years: including Hang gliding, gardening, stage comedy, radio host & guest, sailing, water skiing, home remodeling and reselling, career mentoring, etc.
Married: 1983 to present, Yvonne Marks Dodson, 2 children, 4 grandchildren.
Why are you running for this office?
I have been following my local governments closely since the 80’s, often working in the background, assisting officials. After following Portsmouth Council for the last 5 years, seeing a recurring pattern of reactionary government instead of proactive government, and the blatant disregard for basic management functions, it was obvious that intervention was needed. I was angered that less than competent persons were not only being elected, but that they were hiring persons based on association over competence. The final stone was thrown when a simple building permit application was separated into 3 separate applications, making the job almost un-accomplishable, taking 4 years and negotiations with 3 administrations to complete, demonstrating the lack of government functionality. After following and assisting various persons through 2 election cycles at the state and federal level, I felt that I was well qualified to run if the caliber of candidates remained constant at the city level.
What is the top challenge facing Portsmouth, and how would you address it?
Facilitate emergence of a functional, proactive city council. Increase business enticement, attack the hurdles to business startup so that revenues are increased quickly as possible to make up the dramatic funding deficit $30mm+ annually. To increase business, crime must come down. A fully staffed police force and a cooperative commonwealth attorney’s office are necessary. The root causes of school violence and absenteeism must be addressed. One challenge? I don’t think so. There’s many many more. Our infrastructure is up to 100 years in neglect in places. The widespread disregard for work ethic by some employees is a major discouragement to those employees with excellent skills and ethics. Most departments, including but not limited to schools, fire, police, and sheriff departments are grossly underpaid. Payscales make attracting and keeping qualified employees difficult at best.
What is your view addressing the affordable housing crisis?
While the rest of the country may be in an affordable housing crisis. Portsmouth is not. Housing values dramatically lag not only the country, but the immediate surrounding cities. Crime leads the reasons. Values now are excellent for first time buyers. If crime can be controlled, Owners and investors will see Portsmouth as the best return on investment in the state. Retirees willing to sell will find money not expected to enjoy a better lifestyle. Portsmouth is also home to one of the state’s largest subsided and government supported housing populations per capita in the state.
The city has a longstanding history of disfunction on City Council. How will you civilly work with your colleagues?
The major hurdles to current dysfunction in council can easily be removed in the current election cycle by voting in new candidates. Although I feel my direct involvement in the background over the last 5 years, my study of the city’s method of management, and my background, qualify me as the best candidate, there are at least 5 of the eleven candidates that could turn the dysfunction around if the current seats were replaced.
What is your vision for the former Civic Center and Holiday Inn site in Olde Town Portsmouth?
Three plans have already been put forth to the city council. When a functional council is established, one of the three, or possibly a new plan can be selected. A functional council that is proactive with planning is necessary to prioritize the future plans. Until this current council, previous councils were ‘reactive’ neglecting the basic functions of the city. Departments are currently unable to communicate effectively to process business permits, building applications, and inspection processes, severely limiting the ability to attract businesses. Infrastructure is up to 100 years in disrepair. Employee pay dramatically lags our neighbors, inhibiting the hiring of qualified persons to replace retiring personnel. It’s not the Holiday Inn site that ‘s the problem, it’s a citywide philosophy that lacks measurement, accountability, and performance standards, and proactive thinking.
What is your view on taking money from individuals who will likely have business before the city?
Not sure why you’re asking this question. Are you implying that our current politicians are taking bribes? Bribes are unacceptable. I have an unusual circumstance. I have fully funded my retirement, I have a wonderful marriage, I am a cancer survivor, I have faced/come close to death on too many occasions to worry anymore. This position is my angry reply to incompetence in government, and a way for me to fulfill a late life legacy of giving back, of returning the wondrous gifts that God has graced in my life. I have no need for further luxuries in life and therefore no ability to be bribed, I seek for the good of the city, and its people.