Hansen reported that Virginia Beach has a surplus of $15 million to $25 million from the fiscal 2006 budget….plus The city’s fiscal 2008 budget – in the planning stages now – is flush with $32.5 million more than expected, thanks to a higher-than-expected increase in property assessments.

Have you written to City Council about using the funds to make Shore Drive Safer?

No meetings. No dues ? Please join the Chesapeake Bay Foundations new Boaters for the Bay.
Are you a boater?

It makes no difference whether you paddle a kayak or pilot an express cruiser; we need you as a CBF Boater for the Bay.

Point Chesapeake, the development that went thru the conditional use permit process and was approved for the Duck-In site has changed.

Todd has sent a letter to Bob Scott, the Director of Planning requesting the public review process be started again as the project has in fact changed substantially enough we, the SDCC, feel it appropriate the public should be allowed to legally comment.

View changes to Point Chesapeake at SDCC.info.

The Shore Drive Advisory Committee has scheduled a special workshop the public is welcome to attend.

Read on for the agenda. It’ll be hel at Baylake United Methodist Church on Shore Drive.

You’re probably getting tired of hearing about the sidewalk that was damaged in front of Crab Creek Outfitters.

After months of emails, and an article in the Pilot Warrior column it’s getting fixed!

Your tax deductable donations can me mailed to:

Skate Park Rebuilding Fund
c/o Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation
PO Box 2237
Virginia Beach, VA 23450

More at VBGov.com.

The Phase 1 improvement project on Shore Drive, between First Court & Marlin Bay, was supposed to begin in early July.  We’ve been told that when the bids were opened in July, they were high, and that public works was in the process of going to Council to ask for more money.  Heather will let us know when the contracts go out, and work will begin.

[Update August 25th..another one!]
More evidence Shore Drive has become unacceptably unsafe?

So far this week on Shore Drive…there has been at least 5 6[!] vehicle accidents, plus 2 accidents involving cyclists – both with injuries to the cyclists.

Just thought I would pass on that there has been vandalism of cars off of Shore Drive.

We experienced it at Lynnhaven Dunes, and Seagull Bluff Drive also had some break ins, cars only. Please make your neighbors aware to keep valuables our of their car.
From Leslie R. of Lynnhaven Dunes

Do you enjoy nature photography? 

Come and learn four photographers? secrets to getting great nature photos.  Our panel of photographers, Mary Reid Barrow, Robert Brown, Erik Molleen & Staci Martin, will share photography tips as well as suggestions on great spots on the Lynnhaven River for nature photos.

[Taken by Chris S.]

Carol Case has received a 6 month permit so she can work on finding a new rehab facility.

Councilman Ron Villanueva and others suggested that the city consider opening its own wildlife rehabilitation center. City staff started exploring the idea last year…

The cyclist who was hit at Shore Drive & Greenwell Road tonight around 9pm was on his way home from Virginia Beach General.

Cool idea sent to us from Regina, Neighborhood Watch Coordinator for Cape Story.

Put your car keys beside your bed at night….

UPDATE:Indigo Dunes applications are off the agenda for the September 13th hearing.

Apparently, Indigo Dunes requires Zoning upgrades for Pleasure House Point in order to move the proposed project forward.

Joel Rubin & his PR team working for Indigo Dunes, sent us their press release for the August 17th presentation.

What became of the sidewalk just west of the Lesner Bridge in Virginia Beach, if there even was one in recent memory, is an issue the Warrior shall not resolve.

Article at Pilotonline.com.

Brown boobies, each about 27 inches long when mature, are slightly smaller than pelicans but larger than gulls. They have chocolate brown feathers and a snow white breast. Their feet and beak are yellow, and they are notoriously quiet.

They are best known for their diving skills. The birds slam into the water at an acute angle in search of fish and squid.

This is the first indication of EEE virus activity in Virginia Beach in 2006. It’s located in the Chesapeake Beach neighborhood, and the positive sample was collected July 31.

More at VBGov.com.

Yet even if the judge goes beyond the guidelines – which is likely, given Crumbly’s long record of drug use and driving on a suspended license – state law caps the possible sentence at 10 years for felony hit-and-run.

Update 8/8/06: Commonwealth v. Crumbly; Hit and Run Driver Sentenced to 14 Years, 11 Months. More at VBGov.com.

Read article at Pilotonline.com.

What are your thoughts?

Stumbled on these graphics I thought you’d find interesting.