Recommendations for Neighborhood Dredging Program

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Mr. Fraim:

The Beaches & Waterways Advisory Committee was directed by City Council Resolution to study 4 areas and conduct at least one public forum for residents to ask questions and present opinions. I submit that this has NOT been accomplished by the B&WAC, and therefor, the committee has not completed their tasking.

VA Law “Virginia Freedom of Information Act” 2.2-3700 A states in part…”Unless a public body or its officers or employees specifically elect to exercise an exemption provided by this chapter or any other statute, every meeting shall be open to the public and all public records shall be available for inspection and copying upon request. All public records and meetings shall be presumed open, unless an exemption is properly invoked.

Any exemption from public access to records or meetings shall be narrowly construed and no record shall be withheld….

This chapter shall not be construed to discourage the free discussion by government officials or employees of public matters with the citizens of the Commonwealth.

I submit that as citizens who were present at scheduled B&WAC meetings were not provided either free discussions or with documentation that presents committee members received; concerned residents were not permitted to speak in most cases, and when they did speak, their comments and questions were ignored or not sufficiently recorded in the minutes, that the B&WAC chairman operated committee business beyond the scope and intent of the Commonwealth of Virginia law. As such, I submit that the B&WAC Recommendations Report as currently submitted is incomplete, unfairly biased, inaccurate and not ready for City Council review at this time.

I believe the City Council Resolution tasking of the B&WAC members and the timeframe given to accomplish the requisite studies to determine sufficient facts was insufficient. Given mounting public concern and scrutiny, your committee was placed in a very difficult position without sufficient resources to accomplish the required impact studies (Traffic, Safety, Impact on Neighborhoods, Structural Engineering of nearby buildings and homes, and environmental). Without sufficient impact studies, the B&WAC recommendations are limited in factual basis.

I fully support the recommendation of the Committee to remove Maple Street as a mechanical dredge spoils transfer site based upon its physical unsuitability, potential costly and continuing structural damage to nearby homes, negative impact on traffic, negative impact on nearby home valuations, safety concerns for this narrow section of Long Creek, and environmental concerns for the nearby estuary’s ecosystems.

Some specific wording of the Recommendations report concerns me, specifically;

(7,8) …the Neighborhood Dredging SSD Program (NDSSDP) has been based on well conceived funding sources…..

Comment: If private parties are allowed to contract and dispose of their dredge spoils at a city constructed facility, how will the city be reimbursed for the portions that would have been paid for under the SSD contract? The City could cut the spur channel, and for neighborhoods which could not achieve 80% agreement for an SSD or chose not to seek an SSD agreement, how will the city be reimbursed for its publicly financed portion? Will publicly procured barges as part of the SSD operate concurrently with private barges and then seek common access at the transfer site? Therefor, the SSD program and process are suspect financially.

(40-45) When developing the Comprehensive Beach Management Program….resulted in serious concerns for the negative impacts on the resident’s quality of life.

Comment: The comparison between the Comprehensive Beach Management Program and NDP with mechanical transfer of non-beach grade sand and the infrastructure to support its spoils transport is not comparable to the temporary hydraulic transfer of beach grade sand to be placed on public beaches. These NDP spoils (sludge) are mechanically transferred and not beach grade. The NDP is a 16+ year program, not a temporary program occurring once every three or four years for a couple of months.

(60-61) The DMTS can be located and constructed in these areas so as to have a minimal impact on the surrounding neighborhood.

Comment: This statement is without basis. Without adequate safety impact study, traffic impact study, environmental impact or engineering studies to assess potential property damage from nearby heavy dump truck traffic, this statement cannot be made.

(104-112) Adverse impacts. No mention is made of structural damage to houses, foundations, and roads that would occur from heavily loaded dump trucks over a sustained period of years. Vibration damage will occur and its potential impact should be evaluated and considered into the Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM)costs of the NDP. Should city general funds pay for road and structural repairs or neighborhoods using the transfer site?

(108) Mention is made of …surface vibrations occurs when digging sand from the holding area.
Comment: Holding areas for the storage and de-watering of dredge spoils (non-beach grade) would not meet EPA or DEQ standards.

(300-302) Council adopts a policy which provides for permitted use of the DMTS sites by the public for dredging by entities or individuals other than the city.

Comment: What will be the City’s cost recovery mechanism for private use of a public transfer site? How will damages occurred by privately contracted dump trucks hauling private spoils be corrected? Would private parties be permitted to use DMTS beyond the SSD 16 year timeframe? The private sector use of the public transfer site beyond SSD cost recovery or mitigation expenses should be strictly limited by City Council if permitted at all.

(394-396) …recommends that use of Long Creek and Crab Creek DMTS be restricted from operations for anytime greater than 60 consecutive workable days during any three year cycle.

Comment: This statement is worthless as it would permit continuous operations for 59 workable days, a cessation of one workable day, and then recommencing another 59 workable day cycle. Transfer sites should be limited to specific total days for the year based on SSD requirements. If no extra days were available for private dredging transfers, perhaps those neighborhoods should have joined an SSD and contributed to cost recovery to the General fund.

Much to consider in a few days.

Sincerely,
David M. Williams
President, Shore Drive Community Coalition

Neighborhood Dredging Study Draft Final Report is Available for Public Comment

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The Beaches and Waterway Advisory Commission (B&WAC) has completed the Draft Final Report for the Neighborhood Dredging Study and is accepting public comments on the report.  The deadline for comments has been set for NOON on Tuesday December 6th.  See the email from B&WAC Chairman Tom Fraim below for additional details.

Tom Fraim email excerpt – “Final comments from the public will be set for noon on December 6th and we will incorporate constructive comments for the real FINAL REPORT TO COUNCIL at 5:00PM on December 8th in the City Manager’s conference room. I expect the meeting to take less than 10 minutes. We will  not take additional public comment and with the exception of approving the minutes of the last meeting, we will not have an agenda. The approved Report to Council on the Neighborhood Dredging SSD Program will be posted on the City Website on December 9th while it is being properly constructed with maps, engineering reports, cover sheet, index, binding … etc.

 As you will read in the report, we interpret the instructions from Council to direct us to find additional site options that would have less impact on the neighborhoods and does not give us the option of eliminating sites selected prior to their approval of the program. We cannot eliminate Maple Street from future consideration, but we are asking Council to do exactly that … “

Read the draft final report here  11_28_DRAFT_FINAL

 

Items in the report that may be of particular intrest:

  • An unsupported requirement that five dredging zones are needed.
  • The reasons for public opposition to Maple Street and Crab Creek sites are legimate concerns.
  • The opposition to Maple Street and Crab Creek site is a standard NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) situation and will go away when the local residents need dredging projects.
  • The Lynnhaven Drive site is a preferred alternative to the Maple Street site, but only City Council can remove the Maple Street site from the overall plan.

 

All residents in the Bayfront area are encouraged to comment on this report.  Please send all comments to the following email addresses:

Tom Fraim, B&WAC Chairman – tfraim@masacorp.com  

Jim Spore, City Manager – CMOffice@vbgov.com

City Council – ctycncl@vbgov.com

David Williams, Shore Drive Community Coalition President – David@sdcc.info

 

Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee’s Recommendations

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The Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee (B&WAC) is finalizing their Recommendations Report that will be completed on 15 December and according to the B&WAC chairman, Mr. Fraim, it will then be presented to City Manager Spore for his consideration.  At the B&WAC meeting held 17 November, Chairman Fraim stated that the City Manager will then determine what to do with the report and when to present it to City Council, the elected representatives for whom Mr. Spore supposedly works. As directed in the City Council resolution of 14 June, the B&WAC  report was supposed to be a comprehensive study “complete and accurate”.  It has not been either complete nor accurate in my opinion.  For a city project costing tens of millions of dollars over 16 years, you would think that more public scrutiny beyond the Lynnhaven waterways area would have been forthcoming.  I do not think the Virginian Pilot nor the Beacon have given the project the balanced coverage that it needed.  Many residents do not even know what it is all about as if the project will not affect them.  This project could potentially cost $100 million over 16 years with an estimated 1/3 coming from the General Fund.   This project is NOT a “pay as you go” project, or revenue neutral. But, what is going to happen when this AAA rated City of Virginia Beach runs into a deficit problem in next year’s budget cycle and raising city tax rates comes into the discussion? Residents will look for wasteful city spending and areas to cut.  Does a major city project like the Neighborhood Dredging Program benefiting only an estimated 2,500 property owners in a city of 460,000 at the BIG expense of the tax payers look like a candidate?  People will probably still know little about this project because it has not popped up on their radar. Maybe Mr. Spore will wait for an opportune time to present the Neighborhood Dredging Program project to City Council after the tax increase has been debated and approved. I am hoping that City Council will call for the Beaches and Waterways Advisory report, read it carefully, look at the numbers and the impacts on the neighborhoods, and come to the conclusion that it is neither complete nor accurate. Therefore, how can it be approved?

David Williams

President, SDCC

Veteran’s Day Flag Retirement Ceremony at First Landing State Park

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Presented by:

First Landing State Park

Boy Scout Troop 79

The Disabled American Veterans

Veteran’s Day November 11, 2011 2:30 P.M.

At the picnic shelter on the “trail” side of the park
First Landing state park
2500 Shore drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Thanks for sharing Ken.

Citizen Info Meeting for Shore Drive Phase III

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From an email:

A Citizen Information Meeting for CIP 2-117, Shore Drive Phase III will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2011, at John B. Dey Elementary School from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. The school is located at 1900 North Great Neck Road in Virginia Beach, VA, 23454. This meeting will be an open forum; no formal presentation will be given.

Shore Drive Phase III begins at Vista Circle, near the eastern end of the Lesner Bridge, and extends eastward through the Great Neck Road intersection and terminates at Croix Drive. In general, this project will improve vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow and safety in the roadway and intersections; improve storm drainage; include a multi-use trail and on-street bike lanes; and enhance the corridor with aesthetic elements such as landscaping and lighting.

Feel free to forward to anyone who has been left off of the invite list, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Thanks!

Toni Alger, P.E.
Senior Project Manager
City of Virginia Beach – Public Works Engineering
2405 Courthouse Drive, 3rd Floor
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Office: 757-385-8746
TAlger@vbgov.com

Also posted in our Calendar.

What Will It TakeTo Be Heard?

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Call me naive maybe, but I was taught in public school and spent my college and military years believing in our Democracy.  Even after egregious and impeachable acts of Richard Nixon, LCol Oliver North, and J. Edgar Hoover, and unnamed others who have hacked into our rights, our freedoms have prevailed somewhat intact.
The politicians of that “ill-clique”  up in Washington seemed removed from who we are and how we live our daily lives in a city like Virginia Beach.
I am reminded that all politics are local. The violations of our trust and confidence do not always occur  just from Washington.  Some of our citizens have experienced a trampling of their rights from our city staff and city appointed  “Advisory” committees. Any violations of our Constitutional rights should be directly challenged and corrected.

Should citizens be prevented from speaking at scheduled open forums or from asking the city questions concerning the safety of public projects that involve our neighborhoods? Should the city’s Public Works Department be the safety monitor and enforcer for those projects? Should a neighborhood’s rights be mauled to enable a “good ol’gal”  private business expansion? Should a neighborhood be pulped from dump truck traffic just to support  one private party who would commercially benefit? Mr. Fraim  has so stated. Ask Thomas Fraim, Chairman of the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee about open and transparent city staff meetings or free and open public committee meetings.

This Veteran’s Day, consider all those who have fought for our freedoms and our very Constitution. Consider this, if Hitler’s Third Reich had defeated us in WWII, or if Stalin’s communists had won the Cold War,  would our rights and our freedoms continue today? So, why should we accept any trampling on our rights,  back door politics, special deals, lack of transparency, and egregious acts from some city staff members?

Will the Mayor and City Council arrive at an honorable course of action that recognizes the mounting and significant citizen opposition to the Neighborhood Dredge (Spoils) Program?   Will city staff acknowledge the numerous serious flaws and lack of sufficient studies that exist in the Neighborhood Dredge (Spoils) Program?  We citizens will watch closely while some in City Council deliberate their fate and our  given rights.

SDCC General Meeting – Monday October 24th at 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda SDCC October 2011 Agenda (1)

 

SDCC General Meeting – Monday, OCT 24, 7:30 – 9:00 pm

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

 

 Call to order

 Discussion:               Virginia Beach City Council Candidates’ Forum

Invited speakers: Candidates for City Council

 Prescott Sherrod

 Dennis Free 

 John Moss

                                   

Update/Long Creek Dredge Spoils

Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee 

For Important information concerning dredge spoils project and Long Creek

www.SDCC.info   and          www.longcreekwetlands.com

  

Officers’ Reports

            President’s Report – David Williams

            Vice President’s report- Thomas Cantwell

            Secretary’s Report – Todd Solomon – Minutes of the SEPT Meeting

            Treasurer’s Report – Carol Collins

 

Update on issues:

          Old Business        

New Business

 Adjourn

Next   SDCC Meeting 7:30 pm MondayNov 28, 2011

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center

Speaker- To be announced

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

Thursday’s Beaches & Waterways Committee Meeting

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This Thursday’s meeting of the B&WAC was a showdown. At the well attended B&WAC scheduled public meeting held on 13 OCT, a large showing of residents came to express their concerns and to ask questions. Many spoke to the committee and packed room to state their concerns mainly with the viability of the proposed Maple Street Dredge Spoils transfer site. Of the 20 speakers, 16 spoke directly against the use of Maple Street as a spoils transfer site, three others on different points of opposition, and one lone speaker on the positive points for Old Donation Special Service District.
Many questions submitted by the gathered audience were answered while some questions were dismissed as “off topic”. When the night ended, many of us felt that our positions in opposition to the city’s plan were on the record and understood by the board. I do not think many of us knew how it would progress past the point that we had left that night. We were determined, well researched, and committed to our positions.
This Thursday’s meeting (Oct 20), was going to be a showdown on the street to determine the outcome of our stated positions. I spoke to Chairman Fraim before the meeting of unanswered questions from the previous meeting and he said they would be answered at this meeting. I asked if the citizens of Virginia Beach would have an opportunity to review and comment on the board’s recommendations before they went to City Council and he said yes. I felt some of the tension between us lessen. We were communicating.
When I was young in grade school, I remember that I did not like to fight and get in trouble for doing so, but sometimes it was necessary to stand your ground and do what you believed to be necessary. This felt like one of those days in grade school. We had gone nose to nose, reached our point, but now we at least started to understand where we stood. We had reached middle ground. It is not a win-lose position, but more of an understanding. We would be listened to and our positions considered. I would like to think that that is the way reasonable people negotiate very important matters. I still do not know how this Neighborhood Dredge Spoils program will turn out, but we are talking and considerate of both parties. Friday started with a renewed spirit and more hope for Long Creek residents. It was a better day, fresh and clear, with a bit more hope for our neighborhoods. Have a nice weekend neighbors and B&WAC committee members. I hope to be fishing with my wife in the middle channel of Long Creek at my favorite trout spot. We are more hopeful than before and remain still confident in our positions.

New link added – VB’s ePro, Electronic Police Reports Online

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From VBGov.com:

Welcome to ePRO (electronic Police Reports Online), an interactive web application that allows public access to reported crime, traffic accident reports, and active warrants.

“Each neighborhood dredging project requires City Council approval, and the Beach needs to find multiple sites to unload the dredge spoils from the barges.”

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Read entire article at Pilotonline.com.

This is about:

[A] city proposal to put a permanent dredge transfer station on Maple Street next to the Marina Shores marina.

And:

The commission, which will present its final report in the coming months, suggested that the city use the site for only 90 working days a year, avoid bringing in barges during the summer, and haul 30 truckloads a day of dredge spoils out of the site.

“There are methods of mitigation and opportunities for controls that will eliminate or significantly reduce, many of the issues of concern,” the draft report states.

The city launched its neighborhood dredging program last year to help residents deepen their channels if they agree to a tax rate increase.

Guidelines for tonight’s public meeting re:Dredge Transfer Stations

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From an email:

We have received a number of calls about this evening’s public meeting and the guidelines for those who wish to speak.

1) Anyone wishing to speak must sign up before the meeting starts

2) Each speaker will be limited to 3 minutes.

3) If a group is in attendance and has chosen someone to speak for them, that speaker will be allowed up to 10 minutes to speak on behalf of the group.

4) Any questions to the commission from the public can be submitted in advance on cards that will be provided at the meeting. Those who wish to submit a question can get a card from Rebecca Lear and submit the card to the moderator.

5) Because the commission wants to hear from as many speakers as possible, speaking time will be only for direct comments. Any questions will be addressed through the cards that are submitted to the moderator.

6) Public comments will be taken (from those who sign up) until 9:00 when the meeting will adjourn.

The Commission will answer questions and take comments on the four following topics only:

· The feasibility of alternative dredging methods, such as hydraulic rather than mechanical dredging;

· The potential for beneficial re-use of spoils;

· An analysis of the impact on affected communities (both those receiving dredging and those in the vicinity of the existing and proposed transfer stations) with a focus on identifying sites that are sufficient to support the needs of the project but have the least potential for adverse impact for the community; and

· A proposed framework with parameters for operation of the spoils sites, including potential use of the site by the public for dredging by entities or individuals other than the City.

If you wish to sign up in advance to speak, you may contact Rebecca Lear at 385-1948, or e-mail her at: rlear@vbgov.com

The meeting will be held 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Great Neck Recreation Center, 2521 Shorehaven Drive.

Thank you.

Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beach
dlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353

Note: Received this email at 1129a Oct 13 2011.

The Pilot article notes, ‘the city has not identified any dredging project near the neighborhood.

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Letter to the Editor about proposed Maple Street Dredge Spoils area at Pilotonline.com:

Re ‘Beach plans appeal over dredge site,’ Hampton Roads, Oct. 5: It is beyond my comprehension that the city of Virginia Beach, through its city attorney, would contemplate appealing to the Virginia Beach Circuit Court to reverse the Board of Zoning Appeals’ determination that the Maple Street site on Long Creek cannot be used for a public purpose. I was stunned to read of the appeal, especially since the public purpose intended is for the construction of a permanent, industrial dredged spoils transfer operation in the heart of a residentially zoned neighborhood.

Beaches and Waterways Commission to Hold Public Meeting

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News release at VBGov.com:

The Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission will hold a public meeting Thursday, October 13 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Great Neck Recreation Center, 2521 Shorehaven Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The Commission will answer questions and take comments on the four following topics only:

    The feasibility of alternative dredging methods, such as hydraulic rather than mechanical dredging;
    The potential for beneficial re-use of spoils;
    An analysis of the impact on affected communities (both those receiving dredging and those in the vicinity of the existing and proposed transfer stations) with a focus on identifying sites that are sufficient to support the needs of the project but have the least potential for adverse impact for the community; and
    A proposed framework with parameters for operation of the spoils sites, including potential use of the site by the public for dredging by entities or individuals other than the City.

Public comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker, ten minutes if you are representing a group.

Citizens wishing to comment may sign up at the meeting or by contacting Rebecca Lear @ (757) 385-1948, or rlear@vbgov.com.

Car break ins in Cape Story Sunday night

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From Cape Story’s neighborhood watch:

Last night, Sunday, Oct 9, there were two incidents of cars being entered. In the 2200 block of First Landing a GPS was taken and the glove box was ransacked. In the 2200 block of Wake Forest St. the car was searched but nothing taken. Unfortunately, both residents forgot to lock their cars. If anyone has any information on these two incidents, please call the police and PLEASE remember to lock your cars.

Please remember to call 911 if you see a crime in action and call 385-5000, option 1, to report crimes after they have occurred or to report any suspicious activity. Also, please call or email the NW Coordinator so crime reports and suspicious activities can be shared with all of our residents.

Update:

Here are the latest 2 received:

“One of our cars was opened and looked through last night (Sunday ) in the 2200 block of Bayberry. There was no damage or theft but things within the car were moved around and the car door was not closed well. Police were notified and finger prints were taken.”

2nd Update:

We are up to 7 now. If anyone knows who is doing this or saw anything, please call the police.

“Our car was gone through last night between 9:30 pm and 5:30 am. We left it unlocked accidentally last night . Glove box and center console gone through but they only got two older CD’s .It was parked under the portico and there was is a motion light as well which didn’t stop them. This occurred in the 2300 block of Walke Street, on the bay side.”

“Same thing happened to our cars in the 2200 block of Hatton St. Also nothing taken”

“Last night our car was searched through but nothing was taken. We are on the 2100 block of Sandalwood.”

“I live in the 2600 block of Ocean Shore Ave. and my car was ransacked too. It was such a mess to start with it was hard to tell any difference, but I noticed the glove box open and more junk on the seat. Usually my dog lets me know if someone is outside – but not last night!”

EIGHTOver 12 vehicles were broken into.

Public Hearing For City’s Dredging Program

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Here is the content of an email that I sent to Councilman Wood concerning the dredging program and this public meeting. I hope you can attend this meeting. It is THAT important.
David W.

Councilman Wood,
As you know, the Neighborhood Dredging Program is a very important, make that vital issue to the residents in your district. There is significant opposition to the city’s Neighborhood Dredging Program (NDP) judging from petitions signed, attendance at the BZA hearing, and increased attendance at civic association meetings where this project is discussed. This opposition is continuing to grow as more residents become informed about plan deficiencies, concerns for safety, impact on traffic flow, impact on neighborhoods, SSD financial viability, overall project scope, and its intended operations particularly at Maple Street and Crab Creek. Probably, some time back, the city’s NDP initially looked reasonable and do-able in its early design stage, but when more of the program came to light, it became obvious that there were some neighborhoods that would be significantly impacted with no or little gain to them. Despite attempts by many of us to address these issues at the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee meetings, we have either been procedurally gaged, or severely time constrained. While some may think that our opposition to the city’s inadequate Neighborhood Dredging Program will subside, it will not unless significant changes are made. I hope you will find the time to address these issues and answer questions at the Beaches and Waterways public meeting 13 OCT at Great Neck Rec Center, 7 PM.

Warm regards,
David Williams
Pres. SDCC

WAVY covers Chick’s Beach robberies

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More at WAVY including a vid:

According to police, the thieves park their vehicles, ring the doorbell and enter homes from the back.

A flyer is circulating around the neighborhood warning residents to be vigilant.

Judge today affirmed that the city has owned easement rights in the beach behind the Lynnhaven Dunes condominium since 1926.

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From VBGov.com:

Today, Judge Shockley ruled that the same result applies to an adjoining property, the 70-unit condominium Lynnhaven Dunes, which sits immediately to the west of 3232 Page Avenue. The owner had sought $2.8 million from the city.

As in the previous case, Judge Shockley today concluded that the city accepted the beach’s dedication from the developer of Lynnhaven Shores in 1926.

And:

Two more cases along Cape Henry beach are pending. They involve essentially the same facts and law as the case concluded today.

Attempted break-ins from Lake Smith to Lesner Bridge

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From Baylake Pines Civic League:

Tonight at the Civic League Board Meeting Officer Menago, our 3rd Precinct Officer contact, alerted us to two burglar rings that are operating from Lake Smith to the Lesner Bridge. They enter by coming over the back fence to enter the house. Do not hesitate to call the police if you see anything suspicious or any of the vehicles mentioned below.

You should record the serial numbers from all your electronic equipment and keep the information in a safe place away from the area where the equipment is located.

One ring (the attempted break-in on Lookout Rd) consists of 1 heavyset black female driving a white 4-door Ford Fusion, license plate XBG-8884 and 2 young black males. They park the vehicle, ring the doorbell, enter from the rear of the house taking electronic equipment mostly. The female, the driver, waits in the vehicle for quick getaway. Sometimes she rings the doorbell, the males are entering the rear of the house while you are answering the front door. Ocassionally, the female is not with them, but they are still driving the Ford Fusion. If you see this vehicle, DO NOT HESITATE, CALL THE POLICE – the 911 number.

The second ring consists of 3 white males, 17-19 years old. They ride red and white motor scooters and break in through the back of the house. Here again, CALL THE POLICE IF YOU SEE THEM!

Neighborhood Dredge Spoils Project, Our Constitutional Process

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It is our Democratic process that permits us to freely petition our elected governmental representatives to address an issue that could potentially damage our property and take away from its value. It is our Constitution and our First Amendment rights that allow us the free exercise to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Should our own Virginia Beach City government be included in this right to “petition the Government”? I proclaim most strongly “yes” and have, as have so many others, put it all on the line to support and defend our Constitutional Rights.

Should a city appointed board tasked with making recommendations to resolve significant issues accept statements from the city’s staff, but not permit assembled citizens the right to state their position or to redress staff statements? Should derogatory statements that “there is much misinformation out there” be accepted without challenge from the board when the assembled are not permitted to speak to address the sources of that information?

To many citizens, these issues may be of small importance or no consequence, but I think it is vitally important. If we do not hold our local government accountable to us, we perch ourselves on the point of becoming irrelevant as free people with the power to elect. We merely become payer of taxes, not the proponent of our Rights. The rights exercised by City government are as important to us as the headwaters of a river. We must all be engaged and involved. It is our elected government whether it be city, state or Federal. We deserve what we get.

Pleasure House Point Forum

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We have something rare and special before us called Pleasure House Point. We have an opportunity to preserve and restore this property with the help of the city of Virginia Beach, Trust for Public Land, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and much effort by many people. But, what would we like PHP to be now and in our future? This special piece of land has history and significance. What would we like to show our children and grandchildren? Come and let’s talk. Ms. Barbara Duke, Senior Open Space Planner for the city will provide some of the possibilities Monday, 26 Sept at 7:30 PM at the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd. Bring a friend, bring some ideas and let’s see what the possibilities are for PHP.