Big party for Bruce Thompson at Cavalier

Word has it that a private party will be held for hotelier and local celebrity Bruce Thompson at the Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach tomorrow night. 

The party will include a tour of the hotel. A guest list hasn’t been uncovered yet, but reports indicate a plethora of Thompson supporters will be present, including Mayor Sessoms and others, possibly, any number of individuals in the accompanying photograph.

But it’s a secret, as of today.

But the best kept secret is usually the secret that is exposed.

Especially when it involves such a high-profile individual (at least in Norfolk and Virginia Beach) as Bruce Thompson.

As well as the other phalanx of friends who congregate close to Thompson.

There have been security guards at the Cavalier for a month, according to people familiar with the situation. No one gets in, unless they are a paying guest, or have identification.

Supposedly, temporary workers for this special event will be wearing white uniforms to greet guests, park their cars and fawn on them.

Could embattled Governor Bob McDonnell make an appearance?

Or maybe Mayor Paul Fraim?

You decide, based on the amount of money Thompson has given to political candidates.

$25,000           McAuliffe for Governor

$10,000           McDonnell for Governor

$6,250             McDonnell for Attorney General

$5,000             Fraim for Norfolk City Mayor

$5,000             Sessoms for Mayor of Virginia Beach

$3,000             McWaters for Senate

Source: Virginia Public Access Project

Money may buy access. But it certainly buys friends, who might show up at a private party for you.

Thompson was scheduled to buy the 86-year old historic structure for $35.1 million July 22 and start renovations of the hotel and the surrounding land this fall.

Thompson’s promised $259 million project includes construction of 100 homes on the property and make improvements to the newer Cavalier on Atlantic Avenue.

Virginia Beach City Council approved an $18 million package of subsidies for Thompson, which includes an $8.2 million economic development incentive grant.

Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms, who is the president of the Virginia Beach division of TowneBank, abstained from voting.

Thompson is considering a loan from TowneBank.

The city attorney said he could vote, according to The Pilot article.

"For the perception of the bank, I decided not to," Sessoms said.

Council member Rosemary Wilson, a real estate agent with Prudential Towne Realty, which is owned by TowneBank, did vote for the subsidy.

He will "do a splendid job and bring the Cavalier to the glory that it needs to be," she said in The Pilot article.

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