Dear Vice Mayor Jones and Councilman Wood,

Please accept our thanks for your bold initiative in reducing the speed limit from N. Great Neck Road to Pleasure House Road recently.  We understand that this is not a permanent measure, and that studies must be performed and other safety improvements made to the infrastructure of Shore Drive.  However, your action to implement a speed reduction in the interim has made many feel that at least some effort is being made by the City to improve safety conditions.

We realize that this has been a contentious move, and we would have you to know that for all the negative comments posted online and in the newspaper, we have heard just as many (if not more) positive responses from the residents along the Corridor.  You have both been in public service long enough to know that the “aginners” are typically more vocal than the proponents.

The Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) would like to lodge a formal request that the City Council resurrect the Shore Drive Safety Task Force (SDSTF) which did such fine work from 2005-2006.  We respectfully request that the revitalized SDSTF take the same form as the original.  That is to say, that the appropriate City Staff, representatives from the Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC), SDCC and representatives from the bicyclist community comprise the panel, under the oversight of a Deputy City Manager.  Other members might be assigned at the discretion of the Deputy City Manager in charge.  I believe that Charles Meyers was the Deputy City Manager assigned this role in the original SDSTF.
Once again, we thank you for the courage and concern you have demonstrated in this matter, and your enduring service in all matters of benefit to the City of Virginia Beach.

Very respectfully,
Grace Moran
President, Shore Drive Community Coalition