Suffolk residents will have the choice between three candidates for mayor this November.
Mayoral candidates are incumbent Michael Duman, and challengers Clinton Jenkins and David Bosselman. Suffolk’s mayor and city council races are nonpartisan.
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David Bosselman
Age: 62
Occupation/job title: President, Bosselman Farms, Inc.
Highest level of education: High school diploma or GED from Nansemond Suffolk Academy
Previous elected offices held (if any): Farm Service Agency County Committee
Website: davidbosselmanformayor.com
If elected, what issue will be your top priority to address in Suffolk? If elected as mayor of Suffolk my top priority will be to address the over development facing our city. Our city leadership is not in touch with the citizens of Suffolk and their concerns over this rapid growth. This over development is problematic across the city. When a city has too many citizens crowded into any given community the infrastructure begins to break down. The roads become congested and the public services as well as the school system become strained. This strain on our amenities has caused the need for more and more development and higher taxes for our citizens. The city of Suffolk has put itself in a never-ending cycle of constantly feeding on growth.
What is the right level of development for Suffolk and how would you work in office to advocate for that? The leadership of Suffolk past and present have led the citizens on this constant path of development. There has been no foresight in the development of Suffolk that would ensure the quality of life our citizens crave. City leadership must envision the need for less congestion, more recreational activities, and open space. New residents as well as lifelong residents want to enjoy a quality of life that has been the lure to live here. The time has come for our city to entertain the idea of implementing land preservation and conservation programs to balance all of this rapid growth. Our city needs to be leading the development instead of the development leading the city. The mindset of our leadership must be changed.
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Michael D. “Mike” Duman
Age: 73
Occupation/job title: President of Mike Duman Auto Sales
Highest level of education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Old Dominion University
Previous elected offices held: Mayor of Suffolk (current), City Council member representing the Chuckatuck Borough from 2011 to 2020
Military Service: U.S. Army Reserve, Captain Military Intelligence
Website: www.mikedumanformayor.com
If elected, what issue will be your top priority to address in Suffolk? My top priority will be to maintain a steady tax base by promoting economic growth while managing that growth to ensure our city retains its unique character and our citizens maintain an exemplary quality of life.
What is the right level of development for Suffolk and how would you work in office to advocate for that? Development should be balanced with the ability to provide infrastructure and public services. Our updated comprehensive plan will serve to provide guidance regarding that growth as it relates to land use, growth management, transportation, municipal services, and housing.
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Clinton Jenkins
Age: 61
Occupation/job title: Property Manager at Jenkins Real Estate, LLC
Highest level of education: Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Administration from Saint Leo University
Previous elected offices held (if any): Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates
Military service: U.S. Army
Website: https://clintonforva.com/
If elected, what issue will be your top priority to address in Suffolk? Gun Violence Prevention (more Youth & Family Programs / Activities to get our youth off the streets), Enhance our School System and Grow Business Partnerships with Schools, Improve Infrastructure Roads and Public Transportation, Research and find Sustainable Resources for our growing Elderly Populations, Advocate for Affordable Housing.
What is the right level of development for Suffolk and how would you work in office to advocate for that? Suffolk has a 2045 Comprehensive Plan. I will work to ensure that the voices of all Suffolk communities are heard, the plan is inclusive of all Suffolk’s communities, including the underserved and our farmers.
