For more information about my qualifications and accomplishments while serving on City Council, click the "About" tab above, then click "About You." I have been married to Tereasa Ingo Wade for 29 years and we have two children Robbie Wade and Ryan Blair Martin. We have three grandchildren: Lexie, Kaylee and Colton. I am an active member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, a United States Army Reser
ve Veteran and member of the American Legion Post 284. For relaxation I enjoy spending time with my family and vacationing on the beaches of South Carolina. I graduated from Colonial Heights High School in 1971 and obtained an Associates in Insurance Claims, (AIC) for Commercial, Liability, Property & Contract Law from the University of Richmond. My career includes 44 years of successful claim handling as a Senior Claims Analyst, Claims Supervisor & Catastrophe Claim Manager. I founded two very successful companies; ClaimCo Services, Inc. and RWW Properties, LLC both in Colonial Heights. In 2020, I was elected to Council serving a four-year term. In 2022, I was elected to serve as Vice Mayor, where I currently serve. I am also presently serving on the Colonial Heights Planning Commission and the City Beautification Committee. Prior to becoming a member of city council, I served as the Chairman of the Colonial Heights Economic Development Authority. My vision is to further grow our economic market with additional new businesses to enhance the posture of our city to become the “Economic Hub” for the tri-city area. As Chairman of the Economic Development Authority, I recommended pursuing high-end restaurants to accompany what we presently have and to actively market to Fort Gregg-Adams where there are (75,000) troops and support staff who seek higher quality homes and our educational offerings. I advocated for the addition of an Economic Authority website to better market our city locally and nationally as we have major interstates at our doorstep. I accomplished this website addition during my term as a council member. On the Planning Commission, I advocated for changes in the city to improve and protect our home values. My code change recommendation included “Blight and Clutter” for properties that negatively affect our neighborhoods. On council, I was successful in achieving this code change to encourage better living conditions for all. Each year of my council term I have personally ridden throughout the city with the Planning Director, City Manager and code enforcement inspector for property code compliance. Regarding financial stability, on council I suggested and obtained approval for issuance of a $6 million dollar bond for necessary future expenditures when at the time, interest rates were two and a half percent. Realizing on the horizon, interest rates would increase, which they are presently in the six and a half percent range we achieved a savings to the city of thousands of dollars in interest for the term, for fiscal responsibility. This was accomplished without any negative change in the city’s credit rating. I authored a comprehensive plan receiving unanimous council approval to improve the appearance of the “Roundabout” with the addition of lighted flag poles flying US, State and City Flags. These flags will be lighted with color changing lenses for special holiday and celebration times of the year. Small nursery plantings would also be added. My plan further includes enhanced changes around the “Pond Area” at the entrance/off ramp of I-95 close to the roundabout. Removal of dead and diseased trees and brush growth from around the pond perimeter and installation of a large “Colonial Heights” sign on the hillside which would be visible from several views entering and exiting I-95. The sign will be lit as well with color changing lenses which will project a welcome atmosphere to our city and promote further economic growth. Also included is the installation of a large lighted water fountain inside the pond that will also be lit with various spray patterns. Low maintenance plantings on three sides of the hill toward the pond will be added as well. This plan for permit approval was submitted to the State Department of Transportation over two years ago and I am aggressively pursuing approval and will continue to do so until granted. I strongly support our Police, Fire, EMS and General Municipal Departments. Our citizens deserve a safe and protected environment for the best possible living environment. Our schools are successful and remain fully accredited. We have important tasks ahead of us, one of which is our deteriorating infrastructure water/sewer systems and roadway repairs. The present costs are over $188 million. I plan to have a comprehensive plan in place during this next term to address our infrastructure needs. I also believe Council has a unique task of balancing the needs of the city and working within the budget. I do not support any increase in tax rates for residential or personal property. We have to grow our economic base. My promise to you is to:
• Uphold the office with respect and dignity and maintain trust with others.
• Consider the interests of Colonial Heights and its residents first while establishing goals and policy principals for fiscal responsibility.
• Raise questions and proactively address them by communicating with other Council members, staff and related committees.
• Be responsive and follow-up on personal requests in a timely manner.
• Work with Council Leadership and staff to scope and clearly outline specific objectives, outcomes, timelines and other relevant information for new projects and initiatives.
• Share ideas in open sessions, ask questions and actively express concerns on behalf of our citizens. I have enjoyed serving on Council and look forward to serving you for a second term. I am committed to building lasting relationships with our community partners in order to move our city forward ensuring we meet the needs of all citizens. Through sustainable, innovative policies that enhance the lives of all residents, I am and will continue to be a steward of the public’s trust. I am committed to improving the quality of life and continuous investing in the City’s future! Thank you for your time and I seek your vote and support in this election. Best Regards,
VOTE
Robert W. “Bobby” Wade
“The Wise Choice”
