Category Archives: News

Water Distribution Drill – Wednesday June 20 from 9:30am to 11am @ First Colonial HS

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Click here for a map to First Colonial HS

City officials will conduct an emergency water distribution exercise Wednesday at two of the city’s high schools.

The exercise will test the city’s ability to distribute water to residents during an emergency if the water supply is compromised, a city news release says.

Residents who drop by either site will receive a free case of bottled water, a reusable shopping bag, a Virginia Hurricane Evacuation Guide and other items.

The exercise is scheduled for 9:30 to 11 a.m. at First Colonial High at 1272 Mill Dam Road and Salem High at 1993 Sun Devil Drive.

“The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health has lifted a swimming and wading advisory that was issued for the Chesapeake Bay between Ocean View Avenue and Rockbridge Road.”

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News Release at VBGov.com.

“An explosion on a 20-foot powerboat Monday afternoon at the Lynnhaven Marine Boatel injured boaters, one seriously, and marina workers who tried to help.”

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At Pilotonline.com. [Link fixed]

Come help and/or watch oyster castle reef construction with LRNOW

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Here’s a bunch of oyster castle blocks before they go in the water.

From LRNOW.org Facebook photo page

View more oyster castle pics at LRNOW’s Facebook page.

Cool stuff!

If you want the Lynnhaven to stay clean so she can share great oysters, speckled trout and more… consider checking this project out!

From Joe:

Update and Directions:

May 31th, 11:30 am: First day of oyster castle reef construction – this day will start with lots of discussion and planning

June 4th, 2:30 pm: Second day of oyster castle reef construction

Please let me know if you want to help us build on either day (it doesn’t have to be a firm commitment). I would like to get a head count.

For those of you who want to join us to spectate or help move blocks and build, please park at the following location:

– To get to the location, you need to get on West Great Neck Road either from Shore Drive or from Great Neck Road.

– From West Great Neck Road, turn onto Broad Bay Road (this intersection is located on the raised bridge approach above Broad Bay Island.).

– Drive slowly to the bottom of the ramp and make an immediate left onto a shared driveway. This driveway goes to 2 houses located under/between the 2 bridges. Park on the shoulder next to the vacant grass lot under the bridge. Do not park in the driveway or near the houses.

[If there is no more parking spaces, look around. You might have to get back on W. Great Neck heading north toward Shore Drive and park at Capps Boat Works or at Long Bay Pointe Marina, both are just on the other side of the bridge.]

We will probably meet up at the parking area. If you need to walk in on your own, proceed west up the private drive to the last house and walk through the front yard, around the shed and look for some steps that take you down to the beach on Long Creek under the bridge. The homeowner has graciously supported our project from the beginning and welcomes us across his property for this activity. Proceed west along the shoreline until you find us. Please wear appropriate covered-toe footwear. Knee boots, Crocs, old sneakers, water shoes work fine.

CALL MY CELL PHONE # BELOW IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED HELP FINDING US.

Thanks,
Joe

Joe Scalf
Restoration Project Coordinator
Lynnhaven River NOW
1608 Pleasure House Road, Suite 108
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
(757) 962-5398
www.LRNOW.org

REMINDER – TODAY – AFTERNOON ABOUT 3pm AT END OF DINWIDDIE ROAD plus WEDS MORN AT 515AM PHOTO SHOOT FOR PHP – INCLUDES APPROPRIATE BREAKFAST FOR THE FOLKS AT 515AM

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“Pleasure House Point has been selected to be the feature story for the fall issue of Trust for Public Land’s (TPL) Land & People magazine. TPL is doing a photo shoot on Tuesday, May 22nd (or rain date Wednesday, the 23rd) for the article and they are looking for recreational users in the background – doing things such as birding, fishing, kayaking etc…”

Text Tim at 757-287-0320 later today if you need an update about timing for this afternoon.
Meet at end of Dinwiddie Road next to pond and Lochhaven Park.

REMINDER – TUES MORN AT 515AM PHOTO SHOOT FOR PHP – INCLUDES APPROPRIATE BREAKFAST FOR THE FOLKS AT 515AM.

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From the Trust for Public Land:

“Pleasure House Point has been selected to be the feature story for the fall issue of Trust for Public Land’s (TPL) Land & People magazine. TPL is doing a photo shoot on Tuesday, May 22nd (or rain date Wednesday, the 23rd) for the article and they are looking for recreational users in the background – doing things such as birding, fishing, kayaking etc… It’s a little up in the air because of weather patterns, but generally they are aiming for Tuesday between 6-8:00 a.m. and 6-8:00 p.m., or these same times on Wednesday.”

Be at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility and look for Chesapeake Bay Foundation boat.

SDCC Monday May 21st General Meeting Agenda

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda  SDCC May 2012 Agenda

 

Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) General Meeting

Monday 21 May 2012

 SDCC General Meeting – Monday, May 21, 7:30 – 9:00 pm 

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)

 

Call to order

Meeting topic:          Group Discussion of Pleasure House Point Design Goals

Click here for more city information on the plan  http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/design-development-projects/current-projects/pages/pleasure-house-point.aspx

 

For Important information concerning this city, budget issues, Pleasure House Point, dredge spoils project and Long Creek channel maintenance dredging 

www.SDCC.info  

www.longcreekwetlands.com

www.VBGov.com

 

Officers’ Reports

                          President’s Report – David Williams

                        Vice President’s report-Vacant

                        Secretary’s Report – Todd Solomon –March Minutes

                        Treasurer’s Report-  Carol Collins

 

Update on issues:    Discussions  

Old Business           

New Business          

 Adjourn

 

Next SDCC- June 25, 2012

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center

Speaker- To be announced

 Please check www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events

News from VB Police Crime Prevention Unit about an individual impersonating an Officer.

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From an email:

Please pass on:

Good afternoon, you may or may not have seen the news story on this matter, but we have had an individual in our City posing as a police officer and making traffic stops. Two incidents have occurred to date, and in both cases, the man posing as a police officer stopped young women – one was a 17-year old female. As is stated in the following interview, we do not know what this individual’s intentions are, so the best course of action is if you believe you are being pulled over by an officer, make sure it is in a well-lit, safe area with other people around. If you are unsure that the individual attempting to stop you is a legitimate law enforcement officer, you can call the Police from your cell phone to verify that there is an officer making a traffic stop at your location. We are required to call traffic stops in over the radio to our dispatchers so there would be a record of the stop being made if it is legitimate.

[More at WAVY.com.]

MPO Helen Gillespie
Virginia Beach Police Department
Crime Prevention Unit
385-1331

Dominion Power’s feedback to issues in Cape Story’s work on telephone poles

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Previously at SDCC.info.

From an email from Empsy:

In response to Cape Story by the Sea inquiries the following information on the replacement of the power/telephone poles on Shore Drive and in Cape Story has been provided by Max Bartholomew of Virginia Dominion Power:
River City Electrical was contracted by Dominion Power to replace the poles and lines to carry a heavier electric load. River City is one of the contractors used for these large projects by Dominion Power and River City has offices in Washington, NC and Round Hill, Virginia. The pole replacement on Shore Drive and in our neighborhood is scheduled to be completed by the middle of June (approximately). The contractors attempt to place notices on the doors of homeowners for notice of the scheduled work and attempt to keep equipment on one side of the roadway. The Northside (bayside) of Shore Drive is scheduled for pole replacement on Oak street next week May 21-24.
Once the new poles are installed, Cox Communications will move their cable to the new poles (July/August), then River City will be back to remove the old poles.
Our American Flags will need to be moved to the New Poles at some point.
Please let me know if you have questions and I will forward to Mr.Bartholomew.

Thank you to all to helped answer Cape Story concerns and request for information.
WHAT A GREAT COMMUNITY!!
Remember SPRING FLING in the PARK SUNDAY May 20, 2012 at 4PM- 7PM, see you there.
July 4th Theme to be decided at the Spring Fling. Hula Hoop and Sack racing and other competitions and games provided.

Empsy
Empsy Munden, Pres. Cape Story by the Sea

PHP’s stakeholder meeting in the news.

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At the Pilotonline.com:

The ideas will help form a set of guiding principles the Pleasure House Point Stakeholders Committee will submit to the city to help shape the site’s future, said Brian Solis, a Parks and Recreation planner.
The goal is to allow public access for recreation while limiting environmental impact, he said.
“They want people to be able to use the site and at the same time maintain the site’s ecological purpose,” said Christy Everett, Hampton Roads director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, an environmental nonprofit group teaming up with the city on the project.
“So I think it will be a really nice balance.”

As David Norris – Wetland Project Leader from Virginia Game and Island Fisheries said:

“…can’t believe there is this kind of habitat in the middle of Virginia Beach”

David also mentioned during his presentation that the rep from US Fish and Wildlife said she:

“never saw a coastal maritime forest on the east coast like on PHP”

So kudos to everyone who saw PHP as the gem it is and worked diligently over the years to protect it until it could be saved.

The community will also have many opportunities to be part of the discussion, planning and most important stewardship of this amazing property.

Anyone else having issues with telephone pole work?

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From an email:

Dominion Power apparently has contracted a group from “river city” West VA? Tenn? to replace the telephone poles on Shore Drive from Great Neck to Kendall Street and on the North and South side neighborhood streets to increase the power load for electricity.

For the past two months these large trucks have convoyed from their parking lot at Browning Marina’s fenced off area at 7AM or so and have closed off a lane of Shore Drive Monday-Thur from about 8 AM to 4 PM between Great Neck and Kendall Street for replacement of the power/telephone pole work[.] [T]he men in the trucks have been abrupt or unknowing about scheduling and if old poles would be removed and how far project extended.

My conversation (4 + calls and messages and call backs) to Dominion Power, today 5/14/12, the final answer was to ask the guy in the trucks their schedule that Dominion did not have a current schedule.

Tonight at the Cape Story by the Sea monthly meeting residents of Walke and First Landing Streets indicated that the pole replacements were on their neighborhood streets, completely blocking the streets with no or only a few hours to a day warning that the street traffic would be limited and access to driveways prevented.

NO INFORMATION from Dominion Power, City of Va Beach or Cox Communications was provided to the Civic Association or Residents prior to blocking of the neighborhood streets.

These residents report damage to mailboxes and prolonged parking of work vehicles in the neighborhood and when the “man in the truck, possibly the RED truck” was asked if they would be removing the OLD poles the response was to call Cox Communications.

Very unprofessional, who are these strangers?

Why would Dominion power contract OUT OF STATE?

what happened to Jobs for Bob Virginia?

Does the State Corporation Commission need to be informed?
Why is there no clear markings on the BIG trucks and no one in charge to respond to community questions?

Assistance would be appreciated.

Thanks
Empsy
Empsy Munden, Pres. Cape Story by the Sea

OpSail 2012 Info. Parade of Sail June 8th right here.

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At Pilotonline.com article there’s an excellent slide show of tall ships that are coming:

For example, people will gather on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay near the Lynnhaven River to watch tall sailing ships get under way for the Parade of Sail on June 8.

OpSail General Information at Pilotonline.com.
OpSail will have three parades of sail at Pilotonline.com:

The international fleet of tall ships will begin arriving on June 7. They will anchor in Lynnhaven Roads, just north of the John A. Lesner Bridge on the Virginia Beach waterfront. The Parade of Sail will begin at 7a.m. June 8. The fleet will parade from the Lynnhaven Roads anchorage through Thimble Shoals Channel, past the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (between Trestles A and B) and past Fort Monroe in Hampton.

OpSail | Ship events June 1-12 at Pilotonline.com:

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Sea and Air Parade of Military Vessels, Hampton Roads Waterways. Parade start is off Cape Henry (8:30am-1pm)

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Tall Ship Rendezvous, Lynnhaven Anchorage at the Lesner Bridge, Virginia Beach (All Day)

Friday, June 8, 2012

Whistle Symphony, Lynnhaven Anchorage at the Lesner Bridge, Virginia Beach (7am)

OpSail 2012 Ships List at Pilotonline.com including slideshow.
OpSail.org
OpSail2012Virginia.com

The rumor is true

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There is a LEED certified fire station being designed and built on Greenwell Road next to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel entrance.

More info to follow.

Petition and sample letter re: no dredge transfer station at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility

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“Save the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility / Say NO to the City of Virginia Beach plan to put a Dredge Materials Transfer Station here.”
Link to petition.

Sample letter:

Mr. Mayor and Honorable Council Members, Members of the Beaches and Waterways Commission, Members of the Bayfront Advisory Committee:

In the January 2012 Neighborhood Dredging Program Report prepared by the Beaches and Waterways Commission it states that “the Neighborhood Dredging Program should achieve the same benefits as in the Old Donation neighborhood which “increased property values and provided enhanced recreational opportunities via adequate water depths for the largest of their boats.”

(I am/we are) writing this letter to express our strong opposition to the proposed plan of the City of Virginia Beach to build a permanent Dredge Spoils Transfer Station at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility. (I/we) believe that the City of Virginia Beach is not justified in enhancing the property value and recreational opportunities for a select group of homeowners while undermining the quality of life and property value of others. (I/We) believe that the City of Virginia Beach has a fiduciary responsibility to all citizens. It is not appropriate for the City of Virginia Beach to financially enhance property values for 2500 residents at the expense of the 154,837 annual users/patrons of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility as well as the hundreds of property owners in the Ocean Park Community whose property values will be adversely affected. (I/We) also feel it is inappropriate for the city, as stated in the Commission’s report, to “cost share” a project that will achieve “enhanced property value for the participating homeowners.”

(I/We) fully agree with the Beaches and Waterways Commission report when it states the proposed location at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility (Crab Creek) “will have some level of adverse impacts on the bordering neighborhoods, recreational fishing, and the boating communities.” The report is alarming when the Commission specifically states that Crab Creek will “have issues associated with barge travel and there are concerns for safety and the industrialization of a serene natural area.” (I/We) also believe that the potential harm to the Lynnhaven River, the marine life and commercial oyster beds has not been fully assessed. To date, (I am/we are) not aware of any recent environmental studies that the City of Virginia Beach can use to substantiate the claim of improvement to water quality as a result of the proposed dredging.

(I/We) believe that the placement of a Dredge Materials Transfer Station at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility is inconsistent with the City of Virginia Beach Shore Drive Beautification Plan which is the City of Virginia Beach’s concept of a gateway to the Resort Area. The proposed location at Crab Creek is also not aligned with the Pleasure House Point preservation plan. The Crab Creek location violates the agreement between the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission which funded the construction of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility. That agreement clearly specified that the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility was intended for recreational use only. The location is also inconsistent with the City of Virginia Beach’s own Comprehensive Plan which designates and describes the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility as a park and recreational site.

The Beaches and Waterways Commission report did call out the potential risk associated with loaded barges in close proximity to the Lesner Bridge. However the report made no reference to public safety. Last year the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility had over 150,000 users/patrons. The users/patrons were comprised of individuals and families with children. (I/we) are very concerned for public safety with the introduction of 30-50 large dump trucks entering and leaving the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility each day.

The City of Virginia Beach is responsible for maintaining the main channels. Private neighborhoods should continue to do private dredging as they desire.

(I/We) ask that Virginia Beach City Council and Mayor direct the City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department and the Beaches and Waterways Commission to:

Remove the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility from the city’s Dredge Materials Transfer Station plan.
Ensure that the bulk head necessary to support the Lesner Bridge construction has the minimum length necessary and not the proposed 400 foot length.
Ensure that all permits for and construction staging at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility for the Lesner Bridge construction reflect temporary use only, and prohibit permanent structures or permanent permit application.
Ensure that, other than the temporary Lesner Bridge construction staging and the routine clean sand storage from Crab Creek channel sand dredging, no additional use of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility be made other than for recreational purposes.

Opposition to a Dredge Materials Transfer Station at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility has not changed since 2008 when it was voiced by the Ocean Park Civic League, the Shore Drive Community Coalition, and many other organizations. The Commission’s report states, “It has been our experience that any physical change or introduction of a permanent public facility into an established neighborhood that could impact a settled life style will be resisted regardless of the positive benefit to the general public.” (I/we) are in full support of the staging area necessary to build the Lesner Bridge which is a benefit to the general public. (I/we) are NOT in support of a Dredge Materials Transfer Station at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility that enhances some individuals’ property value and uses tax payer dollars to achieve it. (I/We) do not feel this is a benefit to the general public.

The Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility is a clean, safe, quality recreational facility – a Virginia Beach success. Please do not damage the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility by allowing a permanent Dredge Materials Transfer Station. Please do not damage the quality of life in our homes and in our neighborhood.

Respectfully,

VBGov.com/PleasureHousePoint – City’s new Official Page

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It doesn’t get much more exciting than this:

VBGov.com/PleasureHousePoint