18/10/2024
L.G. Shaw looks to make changes
It almost seems like yesterday, when L.G. Shaw enjoyed watching those “cruising the strip” along Atlantic Avenue.
Alas, that was a long time ago and Shaw has watched as the Oceanfront has gone through changes that he and others say are missing the point.
That’s why the president of Wave Riding Vehicles has thrown his surfboard in the ring in hopes of getting things back on track.
The 42-year-old lifelong Beach resident will challenge current District 5 Commissioner and vice mayor Rosemary Wilson for her seat.
Shaw said he and vast numbers of Oceanfront residents are more than ready for a change in direction.
“Virginia Beach has been growing so fast,” said Marty Keesecker, a 76-year-old who has been the lead board shaper at WRV since it was started by Shaw’s father.
“At work and with the city, he’s got such a good grasp on everything. It’s amazing. He’s a different cat, but even then I’m just stunned by how fast he’s learned all this stuff.
“He’ll be really good for this place.”
Shaw, in his first-ever first political race, said the city isn’t very far off the mark on things that need to be done. He applauds many of their efforts.
But he also thinks is high time for fresh faces and minds to help make things better.
Standing in the showroom of WRV’s main office a few blocks from the ocean, he was constantly getting calls and texts for things at work and about his campaign.
“Virginia Beach could go back to being a place for people to come to,” said Shaw, who is married to Stacy Jo. The couple has two children. “But I just don’t think the vision is there.”
Shaw said one of the last straws to making up his mind to run came through the almost continuous waste of time and money on things that never materialize.
“You can feel it, especially at the Oceanfront,” he said. “The city is at a crossroads. This town should be more than a transition point for tourism. People should come here to come instead of places north and south of us.
“Listen, you can hear the drumbeat for change.”
The upcoming opening of the wave pool on the site where the Virginia Beach Dome once sat could be one of many attractions that are already in place. In his surfing company world, he said similar structures built throughout the country have attracted countless travelers wanting to ride the perfect wave.
“People won’t even believe we have such a thing,” he said. “They’ll come here to surf, stay in hotels, eat at restaurants - all things that benefit the city. We can attract more festivals. We’ve got the East Coast Surfing Championship (the oldest, longest continuous-running surfing event in the world).
“We can really lean a lot harder to attract the sports world.”
Several college, high school and private organizations already come to Virginia Beach to hold their competitions.
Shaw said there could be more.
“Lot’s more,” he said.
Shaw said he can bring his business savvy and tourist mentality to the job to help push things harder.
“Knowing the nuances of the Oceanfront and the rest of the city are critical elements in making this such a great place,” he said.
“I’ve lived it and breathed it my whole life.”
It’s doubtful anyone will ever see the days of cruising the strip, or any of the other things that were so popular back when life was a lot more simple.
Things have significantly chanced since those days.
And Shaw wants to help make the changes the kind that put the city on top.
