Delegates Forum
Wednesday September 23, 7:00-9:00 PM
Cape Henry Collegiate, Dreyfus Auditorium
1320 Mill Dam Road

In November, we will be selecting new Delegates to represent our watershed and our neighborhoods in the Virginia General Assembly.  On September 23rd, you will have the opportunity to hear all six candidates answer questions regarding the important environmental issues and challenges facing our community and our state.  Do not miss this opportunity to be an informed voter.  All six candidates have committed to this forum: Bob Purkey and Peter Schmidt, Joe Bouchard and Chris Stolle, and Bob Mathieson and Ron Villaneuva. 

Our distinguished panelists asking the tough questions will be Don Luzzatto Editorial Page Editor for the Virginian Pilot, Ann Jennings, Virginia Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Marina Phillips, Environmental Attorney for Kaufman and Canoles.

There will also be time at the Forum for questions from our members.  Send your questions today to Karen at kforget@lynnhaven2007.com.  What would you like to ask our Delegate Candidates?

Pre-registration is not required.

Originally posted in August too.

The following files are archives of approved meeting minutes from the SDCC general membership meetings.
Click a link to open PDF file.

October 26, 2009

September 28, 2009

August 31, 2009

July 27, 2009

June 29, 2009

May 18, 2009

April 27, 2009

March 30, 2009

February 23, 2009

January 26, 2009

From Cape Story Neighborhood Watch:

“Dear Neighborhood Watch,
I understand that our children really need a place to play and
ride their bikes.  However I am very worried that we may have a repeat
bike accident as we had on Beech about a year ago.  I need for everyone to know
that there are some very young children about ages 4-7 riding their bikes in an unsafe way
without supervision on Beech St.  On Saturday one of these children about age 4 or 5 years old steered their
bike in front of my moving car. I had to slam on the brakes. Then he stayed
there daring me to move forward. I am really very worried that someone else
may not see them or stop.  So parents would you please watch your very
young children when they are out on the street and give them instruction on bike riding safety?
I am sure we can work together to make this a safer neighborhood for everyone.
Thanks, A concerned resident.”

A large painting was stolen. Police are investigating.

View Larger Map

From their Neighborhood Watch:

For those who missed last night’s Civic Association Meeting, Detective Dewberry of the 2nd Precinct gave a very informative talk about the crimes in our neighborhood over Labor Day weekend.  Several juveniles have been arrested, 2 from our neighborhood, and have admitted to three house break ins, mailbox vandalism and car window breakage.  They teamed up with juveniles from other neighborhoods and went on a spree including stealing beer from a 7-11 and stealing baseball bats from Cox High School.  The parents were very cooperative.  The new house on Maple St. sustained approximately $20,000 – $30,000 damage and the other had various items stolen which will likely be recovered.  If any crimes from Sept 5 have not been reported, please contact Det. Dewberry at 385-2700.  You can also contact Det. Dewberry for questions pertaining to the crimes in our neighborhood.  Our Crime Prevention Officer, MPO Helen Gillespie was also present and talked to us about solicitors.  She showed us a solicitors permit and will send us a copy for insertion in the Skipjack.

From Cape Story Neighborhood Watch:

We have received several reports of incidents that happened last night (Sat) on Maple St. besides the two car rear windows on Sandalwood Rd that was reported earlier today.  At least 2 houses were broken into, one on Maple St. between Shore Dr. and the bike path and the other on Maple St. near Poinciana. Both homes were severely vandalized and in one case property was taken from the house.  There are also 2 other houses that the police suspect may have been broken into but have been unable to contact the owners.  At least 3 cars were gone through and ransacked but no reports of anything stolen.  Additionally, at least 3 mailboxes were vandalized.  One of those was the second occurrence in the past few weeks.  I spoke to a police officer who is investigating these problems and he asked that I remind everyone to please keep everything locked (cars and houses).  The officer indicated they are going to increase patrols in our area and request that if you were a victim of any of these type incidents last night to please call to report it.  In each case of vandalism, property was destroyed and glass items were broken which should have made some loud noises. If you happened to hear or saw anything that might help the police please call them.

Read a letter from the City Manager and correspondence mailed to residents.
Read both letters. [combined as a 3pg PDF]

Learn more at GoHRT.org:

Hampton Roads Transit, in partnership with the City of Virginia Beach, is in the early stages of conducting the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study (VBTES), an evaluation of transit options for the community. The study will examine transit alternatives for a fixed guide way connection from the eastern end of The Tide [a.k.a. Light Rail] in Norfolk at Newtown Road to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront area along the Norfolk Southern Corporation’s inactive railroad right of way. The VBTES will be completed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended.

– Wednesday, September 9, 2009 from 6:00-8:00 PM / Princess Anne High School, 4400 Virginia Beach Blvd.

– Thursday, September 10, 2009 from 6:00-8:00 PM / Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street

Have you checked out or Community Calendar lately?

Posters and more at available at the link from DriveSmartVirginia:

Just last year 90 people died walking or cycling on our Virginia roadways. In addition, 716 cyclists and 1,696 pedestrians were injured. A single death or injury is one too many. Increasing knowledge of roadway regulations and safe behaviors may help reduce those numbers.

DRIVE SMART VIRGINIA and BikeWalk Virginia, are working together to help improve understanding and create awareness of ways to reduce roadway injuries and fatalities. Funding for the awareness campaign is being provided by the Virginia Highway Safety Office at DMV. September 13-20, 2009 is Virginia’s first Cycling and Pedestrian Awareness Week.

More info at SharingTheRoadInVirginia.org.

When all users of the transportation system know the law and respect their mutual rights and responsibilities, sharing the road is safe and predictable.

This past Tuesday, City Council passed a resolution in their consent agenda recognizing the advantages of on-road bike facilities and requests that staff seek ways to include this category of bike accommodations in our transportation network. This includes looking for opportunities for back fitting existing roads & as well as a look at currently planned capitol improvement projects.
Thank you!

Read resolution at ShareShoreDriveDay.net.
Previously at SDCC.info.

SDCC General Meeting – Monday, August 31, 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Program/Presentation – Hurricane Coming!  Are we ready?
Recovering From Your Next Hurricane [2pg PDF]
“Recovering From Your Next Hurricane”

30 minutes Power Point Presentation

A brief overview of planning considerations for you and your family. Addresses specific issues beyond the typical published planning.  David Williams, consultant to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will discuss key decision points that need to be addressed and published information that is insufficient or misleading.

The general agenda for the evening will be:
Officer’s Reports – Brief Reports
Secretary – Todd
Treasurer’s Report – Leslie

Old Business

Please visit http://www.sdcc.info for status on issues of interest.  Reports to attendees will be limited to those items which have an update since the previous meeting.  Topics covered may include:

Pleasure House Point
Pound Pole Fishing Nets
Beach Replenishment
Bike Path Safety
Shore Drive Safety Initiative 2009

New Business

Next Meeting:  September 28, 2009:  HazMat Disposal and Recycling

Please check http://www.sdcc.info for details as they become available.

From Cape Story neighborhood watch:

A pit bull mix has been missing from the 2200 block of Beech St. since Thursday afternoon. Her name is Kirra and she is mostly white with a few black spots here and there and she is very friendly. If you have seen her, please call Robin on 406-4582.

From ShareShoreDriveDay.net:

Va Beach City Council member Rosemary Wilson recently introduced a resolution which recognizes the safety and other advantages of on-road bicycle accomodations, ie. bike lanes, wide curb lanes, shoulders, or signed/marked shared roadways.

Most importantly, it also signifies council’s support for inclusion in future major road improvement projects where ever feasible, as well as a look at and backfit of on-road bike facilities within existing roadways. This would be done in a cost effective manor on a priority basis determined by the Public Works department in consultation with the Bikeways and Trails Advisory Committee.

From LRNow:

Delegates Forum
September 23, 7:00-9:00 PM
Cape Henry Collegiate, Dreyfus Auditorium
1320 Mill Dam Road

In November, we will be selecting new Delegates to represent our watershed and our neighborhoods in the Virginia General Assembly.  On September 23rd, you will have the opportunity to hear all six candidates answer questions regarding the important environmental issues and challenges facing our community and our state.  Do not miss this opportunity to be an informed voter.  All six candidates have committed to this forum: Bob Purkey and Peter Schmidt, Joe Bouchard and Chris Stolle, and Bob Mathieson and Ron Villaneuva.

Our distinguished panelists asking the tough questions will be Don Luzzatto Editorial Page Editor for the Virginian Pilot, Ann Jennings, Virginia Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Marina Phillips, Environmental Attorney for Kaufman and Canoles.

Pre-registration is not required.
See you there.

Attend this meeting!

The Community Summit meeting is Monday evening October 5th from 1800 or 6pm until 2030 or 8:30pm. Tuesday morning October 6, 2009 at 0830 the City of Virginia Beach is doing a community summit to discuss issues and the future vision of Virginia Beach to ensure a true “Community for a Lifetime”.  I am looking for another 12 people to sign up for this event.

If you are interested please provide me your e-mail address, home address and telephone number and we will get the formal invitations out to all.

Mr. Chris Bonney wrote Lesson’s in Civic Engagement
These are powerful messages that offer several important lessons:

1. Playing by the rules doesn’t work. Great Neck residents who protested the Wave Convention Center sign did all of the things they were supposed to do. They tried to communicate with Wave Convention Center, but were rebuffed, even called “unchristian.” They came together, got their facts straight, gathered more than 1,600 names on a petition, and were civil in their behavior at a community meeting, at the Planning Commission and at last Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Yet this was not enough. Councilman Jim Wood said that Council doesn’t pay attention to petitions and, when asked what more citizens could do to make their point, responded, “You’re doing it.”

The 8-1 vote against the wishes of citizens tells us there was not much dispute and probably little conversation among Council members about this issue. Just like the Planning Commission, they threw their support behind Wave Convention Center, most of whose members do not even live nearby, instead of behind residents who do.
Great Neck residents should have learned from the Shore Drive Coalition that citizens have to stay in the City’s face and become a nuisance if they want to make a difference.

Be sure to read his entire piece

On a related note, I wonder if the leaders of the Great Neck Community are aware that the vote by City Council might be able to be changed.
They changed their mind in 2003 as an example.

[Note: At the time of this post, his editorial in today’s paper did not have a link.]

Back by popular request:

http://www.capestory.org
http://www.capehenryshores.org
http://www.chesapeakebeach.org/
http://www.opcl.org
http://www.vbcco.org
http://www.lynnhavenrivernow.org
http://www.cbf.org
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/fir.shtml
http://www.rescue4.org/
http://www.opvrs.com/

We’ll expand this, and make it prettier. Even give it’s own fancy page.
Wanna help? Head over to our Contact Page & send us your link.
[Emailing Tim will get it online faster.]

Rather donate to SDCC? Start here.

The next meeting of the Bayfront Advisory Committee will be held at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, August 20, 2009, at the Bayside Community Recreation Center.  The center is located at 4500 First Court Road between Shore Drive and Pleasure House Road. Barbara Duke will be providing hard copies of the Bikeways and Trails Plan and answer any questions you may have with regard to the Bayfront area, and Ms. Wilson will discuss the Committee’s role with regard to items the Committee wishes to address to private property owners and business in the Bayfront area.

We sent it Monday August 17th ‘09 1:01pm EST.

The following survey is being sponsored by the Cape Story by the Sea Civic Association (CSBTS), Cape Henry Shores Civic Association (CHSCA)and Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC).

The survey will be used to help determine the effectiveness of the temporary speed limit reduction from 45 mph to 35 mph along Shore Drive between Great Neck Road and First Landing State Park.

Get started on the Survey Background & Instruction page now.

Thank you for completing the survey. Results will be posted soon.

Update: October 17th 12:32pm.