Norfolk Police Captain McBride transfered

April 15, 2008

I just received the following email from Norfolk Police Captain Wayne McBride:

Good afternoon,

 As many of you already know, certain members of the command staff are being rotated, I’m returning to the First Patrol Division, and Captain Steve Gallagher will assume command of the Third Patrol Division effective tomorrow. I just wanted to take this opportunity to once again thank each of you for your relentless support. Working together we accomplished much! Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you in the future. 

Wayne

Godspeed to Captain McBride and much gratitude for all you have done for The Greater Wards Corner Partnership.

5 Comments | City Of Norfolk, Police | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Graffiti !! What you should do when you spot it

April 7, 2008

From the Bureau of Community Outreach –

 

TAG-OUT

 

Graffiti Abatement Pilot Program

 

Why Should I Report Graffiti?
Removing graffiti promptly significantly reduces the chance of reoccurrence.

A speedy report followed by cleanup makes repeat offenses less likely, and gets our community looking better right away.

Vandals will know that the community is watching.

How Do I Report Graffiti?
If you spot graffiti, call the Graffiti Hotline at 757-664-6510. Be prepared to provide a street address of the “tagged” property.

Report all crimes in progress to 9-1-1!

What Happens Once I Report Graffiti?
The property owner will be contacted and advised of the problem, and the steps they can take to have the graffiti removed. 

Photos and reports will be taken, and consent form (applicable in the TAG-OUT area) completed.

For more information Click Here

 

 

Galina Burley, Bureau Manager
Bureau of Community Outreach
400 Granby, 4th floor
Norfolk VA 23510
ph#757-664-6773
fax#757-664-4567
galina.burley@norfolk.gov

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Bon Secours to appeal denial of plan for DePaul

March 23, 2008

According to a Pilot Online article, Bon Secours will appeal the State decision that denied the building of a new hospital in Virginia Beach, a 30 bed expansion of its Suffolk hospital, and a smaller replacement hospital for its 238 bed Depaul Hospital in Norfolk. Bon Secours has repeated said that DePaul will be closed if a solution is not found. It is time for the City of Norfolk to get very engaged in the appeal process to save DePaul Hospital.

1 Comment | City Of Norfolk, DePaul Hospital | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

March Civic Connection

March 7, 2008

The Civic Connection is produced by the City of Norfolk on a monthly basis. Below are some highlights from January’s edition.

CITY COUNCIL UPDATES

Project Focus activity in Denby Park. City Administration has been working diligently on improving the Denby Park area in spite of the many challenges it has faced. Some outcomes of the small meetings and walk-through include tree trimming and park maintenance, overlapping police patrols, bi weekly street sweeping, and the Department of Public Works has an ongoing review of traffic patterns and pedestrian safety crossing along little Creek Road. The Administration is also working on a number of youth initiatives. These initiatives include expanded enforcement of truancy and curfew violations and the development of new programs including the Police Youth Academy, partnership with the YMCA for First T (youth golf program) and a youth chess program.
In an effort to ensure all shifts were aware of the issues involved in Denby Park, the Administration requested two police officers from each shift to participate in a walk through last fall in order to hear first hand the issues the residents of Denby Park want addressed.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Project Focus Initiatives. The City is working on enhancement to the Neighborhood mapper application currently deployed on the Internet. The new version includes a search function that allows the user to select one of the three Project Focus areas. The new version also includes additional information on activities related to code enforcement, zoning violations, placarded buildings, and waste management violations. These enhancements include data from the HTE system and stand alone databases. Currently the data is updated monthly, but a future goal is to have the data refreshed on a weekly basis.
The new version of Neighborhood Mapper will be available on the GIS Internet web page by mid-month.

Comments Off on March Civic Connection | City Of Norfolk, Civic Connection, Project Focus | Tagged: , | Permalink
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Results of Norfolk Tea Party 2 survey are in – Councilman Don Williams fares poorly

February 17, 2008

A crowd estimated at 200 attended a meeting of the Norfolk Tea Party 2 on Saturday at the Banque to hear the results of the Norfolk Citizens Survey. The crowd was reserved as it listened to Larry Gregory eloquently elaborate on the results of the survey. When the results were revealed to the question “Are your City Council representatives doing a good job?”, Councilman Don Williams fared the worst of all the Council members. He received a 74% “NO” vote and a 13% “Yes” vote. Council representatives Daun Hester, Barclay Winn and Randy Wright were in attendance. Virginian-Pilot staff writer Harry Minium was accused by Councilwoman Daun Hester for ruining City Manager Regina Williams reputation because of his stories on Alphonso Albert and the Human Services Department audit. Read Harry Minium’s article in the Virginian-Pilot or Pilot Online.  Brian Smith is to be congratulated and thanked for running a well orchestrated and effective meeting of the Tea Party.

2 Comments | City Of Norfolk, wards corner | Tagged: | Permalink
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Norfolk Tea Party 2 survey results to be presented this Saturday

February 15, 2008

We received the following email from Elyse Kalfus:

Dear Neighbor,The results are in – please join us Saturday Morning, February 16th, 9:00 am at The Banque
(1849 E. Little Creek Rd).
 
The Norfolk Tea Party’s 2008 citizens survey asks residents how they feel about real estate taxes, the job performance of city officials, and top issues facing our City – please join us Saturday morning to be the first to hear and discuss the results. The Mayor and City Council have been invited to attend, and we anticipate news coverage as well. Please join us. Also please note, as we are conserving our limited resources ($) to get the word out about real estate taxes and important public meetings later this Spring, so we are relying on you to forward this email invitation and bring a friend or neighbor this Saturday morning.

As always, thank you. We look forward to seeing you there

Sincerely, Brian Smith

www.norfolkteaparty2.org 

Comments Off on Norfolk Tea Party 2 survey results to be presented this Saturday | City Of Norfolk | Tagged: | Permalink
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Congratulations Councilman Burfoot

February 14, 2008

Kudos to Councilman Burfoot’s Greater Norview Task Force for its plan to revitalize the Sewells Point Business Corridor. Read Sewells Point Business Corridor Implementation Plan and Sewells Point Business Corridor Priorities Ranking

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February Task Force Meeting Cancelled

February 12, 2008

The city managers office sent the following email out yesterday:

All,

There are a number of common issues that have been raised during recent Greater Wards Corner Task Force meetings. Many of the issues are related to the Wards Corner Neighborhood Plan. We are attempting to find better ways to communicate meaningful information to task force members. However, currently the meetings are not structured in a way that creates opportunities to problem solve or opportunities to engage in productive conversations that are results oriented.

During the past month, we have heard these concerns from City Council members as well as residents and business owners in the Greater Wards Corner area. As a result of these dialogues, we are cancelling the next scheduled task force meeting (February 14) in order to gather additional feedback as we restructure the task force. During this period of time, we will solicit additional ideas and provide feedback to the task force members at the next scheduled meeting (March 13).

It is our intention that through this dialogue, we will establish a stronger task force which will include representation from each of the neighborhoods as well as representation from schools, hospitals, and other businesses. Our expectation is that the larger task force group will continue to meet on a regular basis and a smaller task-oriented group will meet more frequently. The key in both groups is to ensure that all stakeholders are at the table and that their concerns are heard.

Again, the Greater Wards Corner Task Force meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 14, 2008 has been cancelled. The next regularly scheduled task force meeting will be held on March 13, 2008.

2 Comments | City Of Norfolk, Wards Corner Taskforce | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Wards Corner mentioned in Mayor’s State of the City

February 2, 2008

Yesterday, Mayor Paul Fraim mentioned Wards Corner in his State of the City address. The Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center, a city recreation center used by all the citizens of Norfolk, continues to be used as an example of the City’s commitment to help revitalize Wards Corner. Below are the Mayor’s Wards Corner remarks in his State of the City Address:

The City Council continues to be concerned with Wards Corner, but everyone

should be encouraged by recent private and public activity and investment.

For example, S. L. Nusbaum has begun site work on the SouthWind Apartments

– a $15 million development in Denby Park on property formally occupied by a trailer

park – while along Newport Avenue Collins Enterprises begins construction this quarter

on an $80 million townhouse/condominium project.

The City’s Development Department is actively engaged with Wards Corner

property owners on plans to redevelop their properties, and we are confident of a positive

outcome.

Since 2005 the city has invested more than $13 million dollars on the Greater

Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan – for purchase of the Fitness and Wellness Center,

streetscape improvements, strategic property acquisitions, rehabilitation programming

and traffic control improvements.

Police presence has been increased in Denby Park and Monticello Village, and

code enforcement activities have been stepped up.

These are all signs of progress, but we know more needs to be done. The Council

is determined to revitalize this important part of the city.

8 Comments | City Of Norfolk | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Why is Wards Corner consistenly on “the back burner”?

January 23, 2008

Below is a letter penned by Wards Corner resident, Joan Griffey.

Dear Mayor Fraim,

The 2004 Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan was proposed and financed by City Council with a quarter million dollars of taxpayer funds. What positive remarks will you include in your State of the City report concerning progress on this plan and the Wards Corner Business District?

In four years, the plan has not delivered on various items:

  • There are currently 15 empty storefronts which were supposed to be occupied with family friendly businesses
  • A badly painted crosswalk was installed instead of a brick crosswalk
  • New mast-arm traffic poles were planned to reduce overhead wiring mishmash
  • Elimination of blight was supposed to be the focus
  • Updated buildings have not been addressed
  • A parking garage has not been delivered
  • Housing was supposed to be built above storefronts to generate community living

Last Tuesday, nearly 100 Norfolk voters assembled to discuss our frustration and the rank discrimination by our Council and City Manager towards the Wards Corner section of Norfolk. We voiced plans to continue to meet and energize our civic leagues for fair treatment for Wards Corner. Since 1997, the WCPartnership, in 2000 the WC Taskforce, in 2003, the WC Comprehensive Plan all have made aware our problems with blight, crime and public safety, esthetics decline , downturn of business activity and a “war zone” image as a gateway to downtown. These reports have been ignored and pushed aside, oblivious to the very people we elected as our leaders.

On our city website, the mission states that the City of Norfolk shall provide leadership and direction responsive to the needs and desires of all citizens of Norfolk. This does not exclude Wards Corner citizens from leadership to improve our quality of life and civic opportunities. Discrimination exists when certain areas of the city are given preference to Wards Corner (i.e., $11 million for frivolous fountains in Town Point Park where people go to look at the River, and the St Paul’s Quadrant, and a skateboard park and new development near the light rail stations).

Why is the City not interested in developing Wards Corner area? The city is doing nothing to encourage development. Promoting downtown is fine, but not at the sacrifice of the rest of the City. Are you expecting to concentrate misplaced and indigent peoples in downtown to our geographical area? This problem needs to be addressed. Perhaps our only recourse is to approach the news media for help to call attention to Council’s neglect. Why is Wards Corner consistently on “the back burner” when development is discussed?

Wards Corner citizens expect our leaders to step up and represent us. We are waiting for you to deliver on your promises and “stick to the task”! Wards Corner First.

Sincerely,
Joan S. Griffey

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

A letter to Councilman Williams

January 23, 2008

Yesterday, I received from Laura Thom a copy of the following letter to Ward 1 Councilman Don Williams:

Letter to Don Williams

January 21, 2008

Councilman Donald L. Williams

809 W. Ocean View Ave.

Norfolk, VA  23503

Dear Councilman Williams:

Wards Corner used to be a great area.  “Times Square of the South” it was once called.  No more.  This area, which is the main gateway to the City of Norfolk from points north, is in a state of disrepair and neglect. 

Finally, after years of losing business after business[1] and watching the further deterioration of already substandard housing in several Wards Corner locales[2], on November 21, 2004, Norfolk City Council adopted the Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan.  While city council continues to spend thousands of dollars enticing developers to downtown, and is now focusing on St. Paul’s quadrant (and what about  the $11 million fountains slated for Waterside!), not a move has been made to begin fulfillment of the Wards Corner plan.  Council members like to say their hands are tied because of the revisions to eminent domain.  But this is a smoke screen; revisions to eminent domain did not occur until 2007—2 ½ years after Council approved of the Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan.

Residents and businesses of Wards Corner spoke loudly and clearly last Tuesday evening.  We are just plain tired of the discriminatory practices demonstrated by our elected officials.  Moreover, we are prepared to take decisive action to institute changes of City leadership unless council members begin to right the wrongs, end the neglect, and focus on implementing the Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan –not next year, not next fiscal year, but now.  It’s unfortunate that the eminent domain legislation will make this plan more difficult to accomplish, but Council will simply have to overcome the resultant obstacles.  I respectfully request that you, as our Ward 1 representative, take heed and pay attention to Wards Corner Now.

          

Sincerely,

   

Laura Thom

[1]  Over the years, Wards Corner has lost the beautiful stone Hofheimer building in favor of a generic Walgreens. Regino’s Italian restaurant, a Wards Corner landmark, closed then re-opened far down E. Little Creek Rd., Mary Barnett’s moved to Riverview, Naas Bakery moved to Tidewater Dr.   The space formerly occupied by People’s Drug has been vacant for years.  Uncle Louie’s is gone, so are: Abel Art Supplies, The Toy Works, Herschler’s Children’s Shoe Store, LaVogue, Rice’s Department Store, The Fabric Hut,  Smith & Welton’s, Lottie’s Shoes… the list goes on.   We even had a bowling alley!     

[2] Note the crime statistics in Denby Park and the Texas Streets. 

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

We are not alone

January 10, 2008

Tonight at the Ocean View Coordinating Committee the President of the Bayview Civic League read aloud his Civic League’s letter to the Mayor. We in the Greater Wards Corner Partnership are not alone in our feelings about our City Council’s performance. The letter follows:

Bayview Civic League’s Letter to the Mayor

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

Norfolk Tea Party 2 citizen survey

January 8, 2008

The Norfolk Tea Party is conducting a survey about real estate taxes and the effectiveness of Norfolk City Government. Please take a minute to complete this survey and mail it to: 3501 Orange Ave., Norfolk, VA 23513. Your survey must have a signature and address and be mailed by February 1, 2008.

Also, please feel free to reproduce the survey for your Civic League, family, friends and neighbors who are residents of Norfolk.
Mail completed surveys by *****February 1, 2008*****

You can obtain the survey by visiting www.NorfolkTeaParty2.org or clicking below

Norfolk Tea Party 2 Citizen Survey

Thank you for participating and for your help in continuing to make Norfolk a great place to live and work.

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Norfolk City Manager’s husband dies after long illness

January 4, 2008

Pilot Online reports that Drew Williams, the husband of Norfolk City Manager Regina Williams, died Thursday after a long illness. Mr. Williams had been treated for more than a year for a severe colon infection. He was 66. Our condolences go out to Mrs. Williams and her family on their loss of a precious loved one.

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Norfolk homicides almost double in 2007

December 31, 2007

Another sign of failed City policies is the near doubling of homicides in Norfolk. The City Manager and her assistants are trying to preserve substandard housing stock in crime ridden areas like Denby Park so they can proceed with their plans of tearing down Public Housing in the Saint Paul’s Quadrant area. The Greater Wards Corner Partnership will not stand still or remain quiet while the City Manager and Council continue on this course. Click on this link for the Pilot Online story.

1 Comment | City Of Norfolk | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

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