Task Force invited to hear light rail presentation

June 6, 2008

Mayor\'s Wards Corner Task Force Invitation

4 Comments | City Of Norfolk, wards corner | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Crime prevention tips from your Red Sector Police Officers

June 4, 2008

Crime Prevention tips

From the Norfolk Police Department

and your Red Sector Community Resource Officers

The Red Sector has experienced an increase in residential burglaries.  Many of the burglaries have occurred in the day time hours. We believe that the suspect(s) may be knocking on doors to see if anyone is home before breaking into the home through a front or rear door.

We need your help by using good crime prevention sense.

1.      Be vigilant, if you see anyone that appears suspicious in the neighborhood or in your neighbor’s yard call 911 immediately!

When you call 911 we need to know

·       Is the person male or female?

·       What race are they?

·       Can you tell how old they appear to be?

·       Can you tell how tall they are?

·       How many people do you see?

·       What type of clothing are they wearing?

·       What are they doing that makes them suspicious?

·       Are they in your neighbor’s front or backyard?

·       Does it appear that they are removing items from a house or apartment?

·       Which way are they heading from where you’re located?

·       Have you ever seen them before?

Did you notice a vehicle parked in the area that you have not seen before?

·       What type of vehicle was it?

·       What was the color of the vehicle?

·       What was the license plate number?

Please make sure you write down your serial numbers to all of your valuables in your home such as your T.V.  DVD players, Computer equipment, Stereo equipment, Weapons, Game systems such as Xbox, Wii, and Play stations, your power and hand tools, bicycles, and anything of value in your garage or shed.  Keep the serial numbers in a safe location in case you need them at a later date. 

Please call Crime Prevention 664-6901 to have a Crime Prevention officer to conduct a home security survey of your home.  

Comments Off on Crime prevention tips from your Red Sector Police Officers | City Of Norfolk, crime, Police | Tagged: , | Permalink
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Councilman Wright asking for joint meeting to discuss light rail

June 2, 2008

Norfolk City Councilman Randy Wright is asking assistant City Manager Nancy Johnson for a joint meeting of the Mayors’ Wards Corner Task Force and Ocean View Task Force at the new Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library in Ocean View on June 26th.  Councilman Wright will make his first presentation on the “Tide” to Ocean View. Look for times in a future post. Any route to Ocean View should include a rail station in Wards Corner. It is important that all concerned citizens attend this meeting.

 

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CrimeView Community

May 21, 2008

CrimeView Community

The Norfolk Police Department has launched Crime View Community, an interactive crime mapping website that allows residents to view certain crime statistics by location and time.

CrimeView Community is an interactive crime mapping program that allows the user to search the City of Norfolk by address, civic leagues, police precincts as well as proximity searches to landmarks in the City of Norfolk for certain types of crimes that have occurred over the previous one hundred twenty days.

The website works remarkably well. You can search by civic league, police precinct, sector, planning district, ward, or zip code. Unfortunately they did not include a way to search the entire Partnership/Taskforce area with one search. Nonetheless, everyone is encouraged to utilize CrimeView to stay informed of crime in their area.

Click Here
To Enter CrimeView Community

1 Comment | City Of Norfolk, crime, Police, wards corner | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

TAG-OUT Paint-Out Clean-Up Saturday, May 24th

May 20, 2008

 

The Bureau of Community Outreach in partnership with Keep Norfolk Beautiful will host a TAG-OUT Paint-Out and Clean-up on Saturday, May 24, 2008 to clean up and paint over graffiti as well as to clean up several neighborhoods in Norfolk.  The event, scheduled for 10am-12pm, will begin in Huntersville—a Project Focus neighborhood.  Other neighborhoods are slated for clean up as well. 

 

150 volunteers are expected to participate.  City staff will provide materials and instruction for the graffiti removal and paint-out.

 

For more information or to get involved, call 823-4210 or visit the TAG-OUT web page

Click Here For More Information

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Posted by Wards Corner

First Annual Hurricane Preparedness Luncheon

May 16, 2008

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Downtown section of light rail $14.7 million over budget

May 15, 2008

Several years ago, H.R.T. came to a meeting of the Greater Wards Corner Partnership asking for our support of light rail for Norfolk. We were promised that the second leg of light rail would run through the Wards Corner Business District with a light rail station at the Wards Corner H.R.T. Bus Transfer Station. The Partnership gave its overwhelming support for the light rail project.

For light rail ridership to be successful, lateral bus lines must be near a rail station. Wards Corner would be a natural. Now, we hear that the second leg of light rail will take a different route to the Naval Base; most likely from downtown, past ODU along a Hampton Boulevard route to the Naval Base.

Today, Pilot Online reports that the downtown section of the light rail project is $14.7 million over budget. There is only $29 million in contingency dollars for these kind of events. The downtown section has already eaten up half of the contingency money. Councilman Randy Wright is Council’s representave to H.R.T. Please email him at randy.wright@norfolk.gov if you are concerned about this overage.

3 Comments | City Of Norfolk, wards corner | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Department of Public Works update for Wards Corner

May 12, 2008

1. Traffic Signal

Upgrading signal at Little Creek Road and Granby and Little Creek and

update (Little Creek

Farm Fresh entrance and associated ADA work. DVP completed

& Granby)(Little

electrical connection to Little Creek & Farm Fresh on 5/7/08. Contractor

Creek and Farm

planning to switch to new signals by 5/9/08. Contractor awaiting

Fresh Entrance)

electrical service to switch from the old signal to the new, at Little Creek

 

& Granby intersection. New signals projected to be fully operational

 

within a few weeks. jrs 5/7/08

 

2. Thole Street

New landscape medians along the 300 & 600 Blocks of Thole St. Bid

Traffic Calming

opening is scheduled for May 20th.

Construction to begin this summer.

Improvements

arb 5/6/08

 

3. Curb Ramps

Wards Corner ADA Improvements -Phase III(B) work is incorporated in

 

the traffic signal upgrade construction plans. Remaining sidewalk and

 

curb ramp work will be complete once old signal equipment is removed

 

(Le. all construction complete by the end of this month). arb 5/6/08

 

CDBG funding allocated for curb ramps at roadway intersections

 

throughout Titustown. Plans being finalized and public advertisement

 

scheduled for June with construction to becln late summer. arb 5/6/08

4. Little Creek Rd.

Replacement of the two knocked down overhead sign structures that

& Lankford St.

had the pedestrian crossing signs and flashing yellow lights. The new

 

installation will have pedestrian push buttons that will actuate the lights

 

only when pedestrians are present (not 24/7). This type of operation

 

provides more information to the motorist and increases the level of

 

safety at the crossing. Contractor work completed. Dominion Virginia

 

Power electrical service connection scheduled to be completed by

 

5/20/08. rs 5/7/08

 

5. Granby St. Mid-

Work completed and operational. jrs 5/08

block crossing north

 

 

of Little Creek Rd.

 

 

6. Police  2nd

The proposed site is in the Central Business Park. 35% design

precinct

drawings have been received. 1/2/08 cpj

7. Monticello

Replacing curb to help drainage issues. Work includes the area

Village

bounded by East and West Glen Roads and Little Creek Road. Work

 

completed.

 

8. Pedestrian

Signs are in- Working on policy for partnership with business for

Crosswalk signs on

maintenance and safety issues (moving signs that are knocked over or

Louisiana Ave.

pushed into traffic, storm issues etc.) Finalizing policy based on input

 

from City Atty Office. City Atty office have made final recommendations.

 

Final to be forwarded to Dir PW. irs

 

9. Newport Ave –

Moving forward with the first phase of the project. Work includes

Traffic speed study

installation of marked parking lane between Little Creek Rd & Kingsley

 

Lane and marked bulb … out at Granby Elem School student crossing

 

location. jrs 5/08

 

10. Request to redo

Install four, full imprint crosswalks. Funding proposed in FY09 CIP

Crosswalks at Little

budget. Design to be started once budget approved.

Creek Road &

 

 

Granby Street similar

 

 

to crosswalks in

 

 

Titustown

 

 

11. Request to look

Due to the limited traffic signal infrastructure that is currently in place

at pedestrian

and layout of the intersection, a new signal design and geometric

crossing options on

improvements would be necessary. Estimated cost $168,000. Design

East Little Creek

& construction to begin with FY09 budget cycle.

near Fort Worth in

 

 

front of church near

 

 

interstate off-ramp

 

 

12. Repair work in

PW is working with property owners to get concrete driveway aprons

Denby Park

and sidewalk replaced. As part of project focus, driveway and sidewalk

 

repairs have been assessed by staff. Property owners have been

 

notified of repairs needed.

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments Off on Department of Public Works update for Wards Corner | City Of Norfolk, Infrastructures | Tagged: | Permalink
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“Developing Wards Corner is right at the top of my list”

May 7, 2008

Last night at the Holiday Inn Select, Pilot Online reports, Councilman Barclay Winn said in his victory speech

“Developing Wards Corner is right at the top of my list. And we need to work on making sure real estate assessments are equitable.”

Councilman Winn’s leadership is making a difference in the redevelopment efforts of the Greater Wards Corner Partnership Area. 

Councilwoman Daun Hester also was reelected last night. In recent months, Councilwoman Hester has shown a renewed interest in the redevelopment of our area. Her participation in the Mayor’s Wards Corner Task Force is much appreciated and needed.

7 Comments | City Of Norfolk, wards corner | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Excellent election day post from Vivian Paige’s BLOG

May 6, 2008

Vivian Paige has an excellent BLOG. If you have never seen it, I would suggest you go to http://blog.vivianpaige.com

Vivian J. Paige

Vote today

Posted: 06 May 2008 06:00 AM CDT

VoteLocal elections are being held in Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Norfolk today. In Chesapeake and Portsmouth, the elections include the mayor, some city council members and some school board members. In Norfolk, council members from superwards 6 and 7 will be elected.

The Virginian Pilot has put together a voter guide with links to the candidate’s bios and answers to certain questions. Video interviews of the mayoral candidates in Chesapeake and Portsmouth are also available. The polls are open from 6am to 7pm.

With all of the coverage of the national race, these local races have been pretty much under the radar, which is a shame. These are the folks who will be making decisions that effect your every day life. All politics is local. Sorry, but the next president isn’t going to be deciding what your real estate tax rate will be or what your water rate will be. The next president won’t be weighing in on a regional transportation authority. These women and men will. Given the dismal turnout for local elections, your vote really does matter. Don’t let the few make the decision for you. Go out and vote.

Comments Off on Excellent election day post from Vivian Paige’s BLOG | City Of Norfolk, Virginian-Pilot | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

VOTE TUESDAY!!!

May 5, 2008

Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 is Election Day for Norfolk City Council Superwards 6 and 7.

Superward 6 Candidates on-the-ballot are incumbent Barclay Winn and challenger Jack Stiles. Vic Yurkovic, Vice Chair of The Norfolk Tea Party 2, is running as a write in candidate.

Superward 7 Candidates are incumbent Daun Hester and challenger Dwight “Coach” McDowell.

Please get yourself, family and neighbors out to vote in this very important election. Former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill once said, “All politics is local”.  How very true that quote is when we consider how many ways our Council representatives can effect our lives.

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Superward 6 Council election gets interesting

May 3, 2008

Vic YurkovicThere is now a Write-In Campaign for Vic Yurkovic for the Superward 6 Council seat presently being vied for by on-the-ballot candidates Barclay Winn and Jack Stiles.  Vic Yurkovic is a founding member and Vice Chairman of the Norfolk Tea Party 2. The Write-In Campaign for Vic Yurkovic has a website with complete instructions on how to write-in his name. www.vicforchange.org The City Council Election for Superwards 6 and 7 will be held this coming Tuesday, May 6th, 2008.

Comments Off on Superward 6 Council election gets interesting | City Of Norfolk, Norfolk City Council Election | Tagged: , | Permalink
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Third Patrol Division P.A.C.E. meeting to be held Friday, May 9th

May 2, 2008

Third Patrol Division

Red Sector P.A.C.E. meeting

Friday, May 9, 2008

11:00Am to 12:00PM

Norfolk Workforce Development Center

201 East Little Creek Road (next to Kroger)

We will have a speaker and a light lunch

Please come join us as we discuss community concerns and issues.

We’re see you there !

Officer Jackson    curtis.jackson@norfolk.gov

Officer Hubbard  beverly.hubbard@norfolk.gov

Comments Off on Third Patrol Division P.A.C.E. meeting to be held Friday, May 9th | City Of Norfolk, Police, wards corner | Tagged: , | Permalink
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Delegate Paula Miller appeals to the City for senior property tax relief

April 30, 2008

The following email on the subject of senior property tax relief was sent by Delegate Paula Miller to the City Manager, Mayor and Council:

To: ccouncil@norfolk.gov
From: Paula Miller/HDel/HOD
Sent by: Delegate Paula Miller/Laptop/HOD
Date: 04/29/2008 09:49PM
cc: regina.williams@norfolk.gov
Subject: Del. Paula Miller on Senior Tax Relief

Dear Mayor Fraim, City Manager Williams and Members of City Council:

As you prepare the budget for presentation and passage I hope that you will commit to including the additional Senior Citizen Tax Relief that was approved this winter by the General Assembly.

My bill (HB270) was rolled into HB1503 and raises the income eligibility restrictions for tax exemptions for senior citizens and the permanently disabled from $62,000.00 to $67,000.00 for Norfolk residents, effective July 1, 2008.

As you’re well aware, property tax increases are still of major concern to all Norfolk residents and since the Homestead Exemption was killed in the Virginia Senate this is one piece of additional tax relief that we can at least provide to our qualifying seniors and disabled residents in Norfolk.   A number of folks have asked me when they can expect the income limit to be raised as a result of my bill.  I have promised them I would be making the request of city council.  The relief is available but the legislation is permissive.  PLEASE help ensure additional relief for these seniors by raising the income limit on July 1, 2008. 

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me. 

Sincerely,

Delegate Paula Miller

757-587-8757

delpmiller@house.state.va.us

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Winn wins Virginian-Pilot endorsement, Hester gets dissed

April 29, 2008

The Virginian-Pilot endorsed Councilman Barclay Winn for another 4 year term while refusing to endorse Councilwoman Daun Hester for some of the following reasons:

Hester was named vice-mayor by her colleagues and then ousted, has cast a series of dubious votes, and exhibited at least one troubling ethical lapse.

When she threw her support to her friend Alphonso Albert for a high-profile city job, her colleagues were unaware that he was once a violent felon before turning his life around. The result was an unnecessarily polarizing embarrassment for everyone, including Albert, who deserved better.

She lost the confidence of her colleagues on City Council, and her position as vice-mayor, after trying to scuttle the long-delayed plan for the direct election of mayor, something citizens had demanded for years.

Hester seems, even after so many years in office, insensitive to the obvious potential conflicts of representing a company trying to do business with the Norfolk Public Schools.

The Virginian-Pilot was not impressed by Hester’s opponent enough to throw him their support; therefore, they endorsed no one in Ward 7 for council.

Barclay Winn was endorsed by the Virginian-Pilot for these reasons:

Winn has been asking hard questions about why commercial assessments haven’t kept pace with soaring residential real estate values and what can be done about it. That disparity, over the past few years, has essentially shifted a heavier portion of the tax burden onto homeowners. In other words, where other politicians talk about taxes, Winn digs into the system and figures out how to make it more responsive.

If Wards Corner has not been transformed by the series of changes fostered by Winn and his allies, it has been changed in dozens of little ways over years, one storefront, one apartment complex, one piece of infrastructure at a time.

He has been a strenuous supporter of Norfolk’s downtown revitalization, although not a blind one, and has brought smart business sense to the council’s work. Winn has earned re-election.

It is very interesting that the editorial staff of the Pilot mentioned Wards Corner twice in its endorsement. Councilman Winn represents dozens of neighborhoods from Downtown to Ocean View. Maybe our work in the Partnership is paying off.

Comments Off on Winn wins Virginian-Pilot endorsement, Hester gets dissed | City Of Norfolk, Virginian-Pilot | Tagged: , , | Permalink
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