Gov. Ralph Northam To Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer: Pound Sand.

Gov. Ralph Northam is an arrogant little man. So imperious, that he refuses to call or consult with the mayor of the largest city in the commonwealth about edicts that are killing the Virginia Beach tourism industry.

Let’s back up.

Alarmed about an uptick in Covid-19 cases on July 28, the governor announced that cities in the Eastern Health District, which includes Virginia Beach, would be limited to gatherings of no more than 50 (the rest of Virginia is at 250) and restaurants would be ordered back to 50% capacity for indoor dining, and all restaurant alcohol had to be consumed and off tables by 10 p.m.

Northam said the added restrictions would last at least two weeks.

Four weeks later, Virginia Beach has greatly reduced its infection rate and the all-important positivity percentage sits at 5.8%, lower than the commonwealth as a whole which is at 7.7%.

As we reported here last week, Mayor Bobby Dyer sent a letter to Northam on Friday asking him to ease those restrictions in time for the last holiday weekend of the summer.

“We want our businesses to know our city is looking out for them,” Dyer told The Virginian-Pilot. “We want to send a signal that we are ending the summer season on a high note.I think it would help our local economy and uplift the restaurants and hotel owners. We want them to feel like we are going to come back next year and we are going to come back strong.”

On Monday, even The Pilot’s liberal editorial page urged the governor to “ease up” on Virginia Beach.

“With the number of cases down sharply and the all-important seven-day average for the region now lower than the state, Gov. Ralph Northam should loosen the severe limitations imposed on Hampton Roads.

“That won’t save some businesses from ruin, but it will give more of them a fighting chance to survive the winter and focus on next year when, hopefully, a more promising climate for travel and tourism awaits.

Dyer’s low-key, non-confrontational style has endeared him to many in the city and it seemed to work with the governor earlier this summer when Northam relaxed some restrictions in time for Memorial Day.

I spoke with Bobby Dyer yesterday at 1:25, 35 minutes before the governor’s Covid press conference was set to begin.

“What’s he going to do?” I asked eagerly.

Dyer had no idea. He’d been contacted by the governor’s office asking him to take part in some sort of conference call on Wednesday, but he was not given a hint about the fate of his city.

The mayor would have to watch the presser like everyone else.

This behavior by Northam is rude and disrespectful. Is it asking too much that the governor set aside his rabid partisanship long enough to at least give the city’s top elected official a preview of his decision? Better yet, to chat with him to learn what it’s like in Virginia Beach?

Did I mention this is the largest city in the commonwealth?

It’s maddening that one man - who’s demonstrated a lack of judgment many times, from his blackface/KKK episodes to his sashay down the boardwalk in May, oblivious to his own social distancing rules - has complete control over the lives and livelihoods of so many Virginians.

Northam’s shabby treatment of one of the nicest, most collegial mayors in the country is unforgivable.

Thumbnail photo by Daniel Halseth.