Here is President Jim English’s message for January 2012:

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Neighbors,

What will the New Year bring to Wards Corner and the city of Norfolk? As we begin a New Year will we look forward to increasing progress in the redevelop-ment of Wards Corner? As you read my wish list for Christmas and for the New Year, I wonder if any of these will indeed come true in 2012. Remember they were:

• The city of Norfolk to continue to purchase blighted property in Denby Park.
• The city of Norfolk to continue to make Wards Corner a higher priority.
• The redevelopment of the Perry Property
• The redevelopment of the Dalis Property
• The redevelopment of the Farm Fresh Property
• The redevelopment of the Kroger shopping center.
• A permanent Police Chief
• A new Superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools
• A permanent Development Director
• A permanent Human Services Director
• No robberies and larcenies in our neighborhood.
• No transvestites and prostitutes walking the streets in our area selling themselves.
• A new sewer pump station and sewer lines.
• A beautiful revitalized Wards Corner Business District that blends with our neighborhood.

I and many others have been at this task for the revitalization of Wards Corner for some 12+ years now and have seen improvements, although it has been very slow in coming. I am going to keep track of my wish list to see how many of these are addressed by years end.

During 2011, we had an interesting and productive civic league year. Below are highlights from last year’s meetings:

January 2011: Voted against FORKIDS coming to the business district. I then presented highlights of the 2010 year.

February 2011: Recognized 3 Granby Elementary Students for their Science Award achievements in the State Science Fair. Heard a presentation from Norfolk Police Officers McKenzie and Davis on their policing activities in Wards Corner.

March 2011: Our guest speakers were Senator Ralph Northam and Delegates Kenny Alexander and Paula Miller who discussed the highlights of the 2011 Virginia General Assembly Session.

April 2011: Councilman Andy Protoyrou was our guest and he discussed with us the redistricting plan for the cities Electoral Wards. Despite the changes, Andy will still represent our area. Members of the Department of Utilities also made a presentation regarding the proposed new sewer pump station to be located on or near the Wellness Center

May 2011: Our guest speaker was David Setchel, Administrator with Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center who briefed us on the plans for the new Medical Center Complex. We also had an update from the Utilities department on the proposed pump station.

June 2011: Our guest speaker was Stanley Stein, Deputy City Manager who spoke about the Neighbors Building Neighborhoods program. We also had updates about theproposed sewer pump station and the Food Bank’s Emergency Food Assistance Program.

We do not hold our meeting during the months of July and August.

September 2011: We again heard updates on the sewer pump station and the land acquisition of property in the Denby Park neighborhood. We have finally agreed on the design and location of the sewer pump station as of this past summer.

October 2011: We held a candidate forum for those candidates running for the Virginia General Assembly this year with elections in November. Meeting with us and discussing their platform were incumbent Delegates Kenny Alexander and Linwood Lewis who were running unopposed. Running for the Senate were incumbent Ralph Northam and challenger Ben Loyola.

November 2011: Our speakers were Councilman Andy Protogyrou and Brad Robinson who spoke about the resignation of the Norfolk Superintendent of Schools. Councilman Protogyrou also spoke about other issues pertinent to Wards Corner.

December 2011: Our guest speaker was Chuck Rigney, Interim Director of Development who spoke about the operations of the Planning Department. We also held our elections and all of the incumbents were again elected for another one year term.

As the New Year begins we will once again pro-vide you with speakers on timely and relevant issues at our civic league meetings. We also want you to attend and bring your issues and concerns to us so that we may help address and/or rectify those issues and pro-blems. You may keep track of the civic league hap-penings in this monthly newsletter but your presence at the meetings is greatly appreciated. Please consider attending. Please also visit us at www.wardscorner.com.

Finally, please note that our meeting dates for January and February have changed due to holidays on our regular meeting days. The January meeting will be on January 23^rd at 645PM and the February meeting will be the 27^th at 645PM. Both meetings will be at the Wellness Center.

            Thanks for allowing us to continue to serve you as officers of the Wards Corner Civic League

Happy New Year to all and wishes for a prosperous and healthy year.

Here is President Jim English’s message for June 2011:

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Neighbors,

Holiday Greetings to all. The holiday season is once again upon us. It is a time for great anticipation, reflection and joy as all of us celebrate our respective traditions and religions. It is also a time that we need to reflect on those in our community, city, nation and world who may not be celebrating a joyful season and reach out to them when and if we can do so. Helping those who are in need or are shut-in is perhaps the best gift we can give them. Thinking of those still fighting a war in the far away Middle East and being thankful for those returning from a war ending in Iraq and helping or assisting their families if needed is the best way we also as neighbors can support them. As we gather with our own families this holiday season let us not forget that there are those folks out there who may not be able to celebrate. They need our thoughts and prayers. A simple smile, hello or can I help you goes a long way to show them that someone cares. Let us also pray for all of our city, state and national leaders that they can make sensible and responsible decisions for all of the residents of Norfolk, Virginia and the United States in the coming year.

As I make out my Christmas list this year I wish for:

• The city of Norfolk to continue to purchase blighted property in Denby Park.
• The city of Norfolk to continue to make Wards Corner a higher priority.
• The redevelopment of the Perry Property
• The redevelopment of the Dalis Property
• The redevelopment of the Farm Fresh Property
• The redevelopment of the Kroger shopping center.
• A permanent Police Chief
• A new Superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools
• A permanent Development Director
• A permanent Human Services Director
• No robberies and larcenies in our neighborhood.
• No transvestites and prostitutes walking the streets in our area selling themselves.
• A new sewer pump station and sewer lines.
• A beautiful revitalized Wards Corner Business District that blends with our neighborhood.

Do you think I am asking for too much? I am trying to cut back in my wishes this year!

Perhaps you can add to this list.

Again this year, instead of my normal message, I thought I would use the space to share with you some old and new ideas on going “green” for this Holiday season in case you were looking for some ways to protect our environment this season. I am a firm believer that environmental protection leads to the betterment of the public’s health through sound environmental practices. I also believe we all can do something, if even so small, to make a difference in protecting our environment for everyone.  The following tips are taken this year from the Sierra Club website. Also remember the quote by C.S.Elliotton Have an Eco Friendly Christmas.“Christmas is a holiday noted for conspicuous consumption.” Show your respect for the planet by adopting some new Christmas traditions this year. Going green is becoming more popular, but even more important, it’s good sense: for you, your family, and the entire world.

http://www.sierraclub.org/tips/holidays.aspx

Make Your Own Wrapping Paper

Most mass-produced wrapping paper you find in stores is not recyclable and ends up in landfills. Instead, here’s a great chance to get creative! Wrap presents with old maps, the comics section of anewspaper, or children’s artwork. Or use a scarf, attractive dish towel, bandana, or some other useful cloth item. If every family wrapped just three gifts this way, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.

Buy Energy-Saving Holiday Lights

Now you can decorate your house with LED lights that use 90 percent less energy than conventional holiday lights, and can save your family up to $50 on your energy bills during the holiday season! LED lights are available at many major retailers, including Target, Costco, and Ace Hardware.

Add Organic and Local Foods to Your Holiday Feast

Support local family farmers who grow sustainable meat and produce. Not only does it taste better, you’ll be doing your part for the planet too. Looking for an organic turkey or ham for Christmas dinner? Find out where to get local green products in your neighborhood.

Do a “Cool Home” Tour with Our Energy-Saving Checklist

Take a pledge this New Years’ to reduce your home energy use by buying energy-efficient light bulbs. Installing only 6 compact fluorescent light bulbs will save the average American family $60 per year.You can also use our handy “Cool Homes” checklist to see what easy things you can do in your home to save energy. If there’s a fire in your fireplace this Christmas, turn down that thermostat! Lowering the temperature even five degrees can take 10% off your energy bill. Check out a complete list of energy-saving tips.

Stocking Stuffers: Test Your Eco-Knowledge

Do you have a family member who loves the outdoors? Stuff their stockings with Sierra Club Knowledge Cards, which come in a variety of outdoor themes ranging from survival skills to baby animals. Another great stocking stuffer is “guilt-free” chocolate! Give the gift of organic, fair-trade chocolate and you can eat your way to a better planet.

Give a Gift that Gives Back!

Help support the critical work of the Sierra Club and give an eco-friendly gift at the same time! Sponsor a Wild Place this holiday season and share our country’s most special wild places and national parks with friends and loved ones. Sponsorships start at $20 and come with a range of special gifts, like a photo, plush animal, certificate of sponsorship, or a backpack. For last minute shoppers – or the most eco-conscious person on your list – download a virtual version and print or email your gift right from home

Get a Pesticide-Free Tree

Demand is on the rise for Christmas trees that are not covered in chemicals; some growers use 40 different pesticides, as well as chemical colorants. The good news is that there are now a number of tree-farms that sell pesticide-free trees, so ask your local Christmas tree seller, or search for an organic tree farm near you.

Recycle Your Christmas Tree

Ninety-eight percent of Christmas trees were grown on farms, not in forests, so at least it’s not as if you’re cutting down an ancient tree. Each year, 10 million Christmas trees end up in the landfill. While your tree won’t fit in the recycling bin with your newspapers and bottles, you can recycle your tree: many cities offer programs to turn your tree to mulch or wood chips. Call (800) CLEANUP or visit www.earth911.org to find the tree-recycling program near you.

Donate Your Time or Money to an Environmental Group

Get into the holiday spirit by volunteering! There are countless ways to help improve your community- and the planet – from cleaning up a local river to helping inner city kids experience the outdoors for the first time. Contact your local Sierra Club to find out about volunteer opportunities near you. A donation in honor of a loved one can also be a special holiday gift.

Recycle Your Old Cellphone

Getting a new cell phone for Christmas? Not sure what to do with the old one? Now, you can drop off that old phone at any Staples store, as part of the Sierra Club cell phone recycling program. Each year, 130 million cell phones are thrown out, weighing approximately 65,000 tons. Recycling your old phone prevents hazardous elements like mercury, cadmium and lead from ending up in our landfills. Find out more.

Last but not Least! Get Ready for Dinner-Table Debate

Are you likely to be the lone environmentalist at the dinner table sometime soon? Win arguments and influence people with our famous holiday survival guide. You’ll find ready responses to the predictable dinner table arguments that’ll be directed at you. Who knows, you might even make a few converts!

Finally from my family to yours, please have a safe and enjoyable holiday season with the best ofwishes for a prosperous New Year.

Second phase of the Wards Corner sanitary sewer infrastructure improvements to being in January 2012

The City of Norfolk Department of Utilities has hired Gaston Brothers Utilities to begin the second phase of a $4.4 million project to replace aging sewer ppies and provide fully resurfaced streets in the area shown on the map to the right.

In January 2012 construction will begin on Newport Avenue and last through summer; work on the remaining residential streets will follow and is expected to be finished by Summer 2013.

If you have questions you can contact the on-site construction inspector, Gary Kimber, at 464-1659 or the project Manager, Rick Dempsey, at 664-6719.

A flyer regarding the project can be viewed here (PDF).

The Agenda includes a Q & A with Delegate Kenny Alexander, Delegate Lynwood Lewis, Senator Ralph Northam, and Ben Loyola.

Here is President Jim English’s message for June 2011:

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Neighbors,

As fall approaches, so does election season. At our October meeting we hope to bring all of the candidates who represent us in our civic league area to our meeting. We are inviting the candidates who are running unopposed as well as those who are running with opposition. Invited are Delegate Kenneth Alexander and new Delegate Lynwood Lewis who is replacing Paula Miller as a result of redistricting. We are also inviting Senator Ralph Northam who is running against Ben Loyola. I am asking them to debate the issues for our area in a structured forum format as we have done before in our candidate forums. I am hopeful all of these folks will come to our civic league meeting.

At our September meeting I discussed the rumor and non-rumor mill that has been circulating around Wards Corner regarding future development in the business district. While I don’t want to beat a dead horse, I do want to share with you what I said at that meeting for those of you not in attendance. So here it is.

It was reported in the Virginian Pilot on September 15th that an Upscale Grocery Store was coming to Wards Corner. You may remember the headline.
“Harris Teeter to Wards Corner? September 15, 2011

The Virginian-Pilot is reporting that Chris Perry has plans to begin demolishing a dilapidated shopping area in Wards Corner within six months. He would replace it with a shopping center anchored by Harris Teeter.”
While we have known for some time that Mr. Perry does have plans for making extensive changes to his property, most, if not all of what is out there regarding his plans is rumor until he makes the announcement. Unfortunately, the civic league president from Suburban Acres Civic League made this announcement at his September meeting that was also attended by the reporter who broke the story in the Pilot. The problem with breaking this story is that it is not from Mr. Perry himself. If indeed he is negotiating with Harris Teeter to build a store on his property and the deal is not complete, the irresponsible release of this information, whether true or not, could kill the deal. That would be very unfortunate.
What is not rumored and also verified by me is that most, if not all, of the tenants on his property have been given 6 months leases and must vacate their businesses after their lease expires. Some may stay longer until the changes to the property are complete or under way. I also know that those current tenants that I have talked to plan on staying and relocating in the Wards Corner business district.

Therefore, what we know is that Mr. Perry is planning on redeveloping his property – and soon. What we don’t know is who will be there and what the new Perry shopping center footprint will look like. It is exciting to know that Mr. Perry is moving forward with the revitalization of Wards Corner. We have been waiting for something like this to happen. Hopefully this may encourage other large property owners in the business district to do the same – and soon. Some of them may need that encouragement to redevelop their properties. We can only hope that this will be the start of the revitalization that we have been working on for the past 15 years.

Regardless of whatever happens in the business district, we should be cautious in what we say and not spread rumors about possible land or business deals that may be in the works. To do so may kill any potential deals. It is the responsibility of the property owner to release this information when they are ready to do so. For anyone else to do so is irresponsible!

Please enjoy the information in this newsletter and I hope to see you at our next meeting.

Sincerely,

The Agenda includes an invitation for the City Manager, Marcus Jones, to present.

Here is President Jim English’s message for June 2011:

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Neighbors,

The summer of 2011 is now almost in the history books as it has once again sped by very rapidly. I hope your summer was enjoyable and relaxing. Now that we have survived one hurricane named Irene, one earthquake, and an intermittent barrage of smoke from the continuing fire in the Great Dismal Swamp, I hope you are ready to begin the fall activities. Let’s hope we don’t have any more hurricanes this season. With fall fast approaching, school is in session and the Wards Corner Civic League will begin holding its regular meetings again beginning with our meeting at 645PM on September 19th to be held at the Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center. While we have not had a meeting in two months, our board members and members of our civic league have been busy working on issues to make our area better. This newsletter reflects some of these issues and concerns that we have been involved in and working on.

Over the summer two major accomplishments were realized that impact all of us.

First, we finally reached an agreement on the design and location of the new sewer pump station that will be located on the property of the Wellness Center. After several meetings, including those at our regular civic league meetings and others following, a final compromise was reached. We wish to thank Kristen Lentz, Director of Utilities and her staff for working with us so closely in reaching this compromise. They all deserve a healthy sincere thank you as they represent the best in our city government. The new pump station will be located just inside the entrance road to the Wellness Center to the north and slightly inward of the road. Its design will be brick and as much as possible blend in with the architecture of the nearby homes across the street and neighborhood. The next steps for final approval will be a review and approval by the Norfolk Design Review Committee and final approval by the Norfolk Planning Commission. Once these approvals are met, construction on the pump station could begin this fall. This of course is in preparation of the new sewer lines that will be placed throughout our neighborhood beginning with the streets of Burleigh, Maycox and North Shore. This construction will also begin late this fall.

Secondly, the city has finally agreed to start acquiring property in the Denby Park/Texas Street area of Wards Corner. This area, of course, has been the major source of crime in our neighborhood. In accordance with the 2004 Wards Corner Comprehensive plan, the City is purchasing property in Denby Park.

As quoted in the Virginia Pilot and the Wards Corner Now website.

“City Council members and the Wards Corner Task Force have partnered on the need to acquire properties within the Denby Park neighborhood, specifically the Texas Streets section. The acquisition is part of the city’s plan to build safe, healthy neighborhoods that will sustain future generations.

Total units being acquired are 68 apartment units located in seven buildings and the grounds. The parcels include 316, 320, 324, 336, 340, 360 and 362 San Antonio Boulevard.

My best to you,

Here is President Jim English’s message for June 2011:

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Neighbors,

The June meeting will mark the last meeting of the first half of the civic league year until we resume our schedule again in September. Summer is just around the corner and schools will be out and hopefully we will all enjoy some vacation time. Over the summer please continue to enjoy the Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center. There are over 7000 members now. If you are not a member please consider joining. Please take advantage of this facility in our own back yard.

I wish to thank Barbara Ross for her continued dedicated service as our newsletter editor. She continues to do an excellent job preparing the newsletter each month. She has done this for us for the past seven years. This takes a significant amount of time to complete and Barbara’s newsletters are informative and always on time. Barbara, we thank you for your service and look forward to your newsletters again in the fall. Enjoy your two months of newsletter free time. Also I offer a special thanks to Joan Griffey and Ray Duron for keeping the records of our meetings and ensuring that our finances are in order. We also thank Ray and Betty and their clean-up crew for keeping our adopt-a-spot area clean year round. Joan, also thank you for your continued great efforts as Chair of the Beautification Committee. Joan is now also the Secretary of the Norfolk Federation of Civic Leagues. Also many thanks are in order to Sue Classick, our Vice President who is in charge of organizing the delivery of our newsletters each month with our many newsletter carriers. Thanks also to our many newsletter carriers for their time in delivering our newsletters to you. This also is no small task. Finally, a special thanks to Martin Thomas Jr. for his service as Vice President, providing us needed guidance at our Executive Committee meetings and for keeping our website up to date. As a newly appointed member of the Planning Commission, Martin has once again stepped up to provide needed service to the city and us on this important Commission. Martin is also the Webmaster for WardsCornerNow and an active participant in the leadership of that group. Also, thanks to you, our members, for your continued support by attending our meetings each month and working to improve our neighborhood. Thank you all!

Your job over the summer is to think about what improvements you would like to see in your and our neighborhood. Please let any member of the Executive Committee know what these improvements should be. Do you want improved lighting at the Northshore playground? Do you want more enforcement of cars parking on lawns? Do you see areas of city infrastructure (streets, curbs and gutters, etc.) in our neighborhood that need addressing? Is crime a continuing problem that needs to be addressed more aggressively? Think about what improvements you would really like to see in the entire Wards Corner area. Please also let us know what topics you would like to have speakers on in the fall out our civic league meeting and let me know. When we meet in September, we will hopefully have a list of these needs that we can share with you. Over the summer rest assured that the dedication and commitment of the membership of Wards Corner Now, the Task Force, Business Association and area Civic Leagues (including and especially ours) will continue the push with our city elected officials and senior city management staff to move ahead for making the Wards Corner area great once again. We will not be taking the summer off but will continue our important work.

I would urge all of you to attend the June meeting on the 20^th, as we will again hear from the Department of Utilities regarding their proposed location for the new sewer pump station. I believe we have reached some location decision with Utilities that it will be near the entrance to the Wellness center, we are not sure just exactly where it will be in that area. Also please come and give input on what this proposed pump station should look like when it is finalized. This is your chance to have input on these decisions and I urge you to participate in that process.

Finally please have a safe, relaxing and enjoyable summer. We will continue our work to improve our area throughout the summer. We hope to see you again in the fall at our September meeting.

I also hope to see you at the June meeting.

My best to you,

The Agenda includes an update on Construction at DePaul Hospital and Norfolk Collegiate School and an update on the proposed pumping station on Newport Ave.

Here is President Jim English’s message for May 2011:

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Neighbors,

Provide funds to improve the residential and business areas of Wards Corner consistent with the Neighborhood Plan. Land Acquisition of blighted property from willing sellers will be pursued based on prioritizing areas in a strategic manner.

2012 Proposed Budget for Wards Corner Neighborhood Plan

2011 Proposed Budget for Wards Corner Neighborhood Plan

Here is President Jim English’s message for March 2011:

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Neighbors,

I have good news and bad news to report this month. First the good (or should I say great) news.
Our own Martin Thomas Jr. has been appointed by City Council to the Planning Commission. Congratulations Martin! This means we will have a voice and vote on the Planning Commission when it comes to development decisions in our Greater Wards Corner area. This is first for us as we have never had a voice on this Commission and hence have had a hard time getting the votes needed in development decisions that will ultimately go to City Council. With his vote he can vote against such projects as new apartment complexes and other businesses that we may or may not find favorable in Wards Corner. I am not aware of any other appointments to the city’s many boards and commissions from our civic league area. I have served for many years on the Norfolk Environmental Commission and currently serve on the Norfolk Public Health Advisory Board. We wish you well, Martin, in your new appointed role and we know that you will serve us well.
In the bad news department, the Virginia General Assembly has gerrymandered the State electoral districts and Norfolk has unfortunately lost another delegate in the Republican controlled house redistricting plan. While Norfolk population warrants three delegates, we have lost Paula Miller and her district. This means that we will have someone from another City (Portsmouth or wherever) representing us. Isn’t that exciting! I can’t wait for them to accept my invitation to our civic league meeting when they (whoever) run for office and come to our March General Assembly update meeting. Let’s see how well they will represent Norfolk and us. I would encourage each of you, if you don’t like this arrangement, to send the Governor an email or letter letting him know of your dissatisfaction of the lack of meaningful representation for Norfolk and our area to the general assembly. This is the second time in ten years that this has happened to Norfolk and our area. We lost a delegate from our area the last time redistricting was done. Fortunately we still have two Senators for Norfolk and we will still have Senator Ralph Northam representing us in our area. You should be infuriated with this gerrymandering plan. I am.
Finally, I need to report that despite what our community police are telling us regarding the crime in our area, robberies and burglaries are up in the Greater Wards Corner area. The following was recently posted on Wards Corner Now and all are encouraged to heed this advice.
“With the increase in reported robberies and burglaries in and around the Wards Corner area, please be reminded to report all suspicious activity to the police. What is suspicious? Below is an excerpt from the Norfolk Neighborhood Coordinators’ Manual, developed by the Crime Prevention Division of the Norfolk Police Department.
“WHAT IS SUSPICIOUS?
Basically, anything that seems even slightly out of the ordinary . . . could be criminal activity.”
Examples (not a complete list):
• A stranger inspecting or entering your neighbor’s home while your neighbor is away.
• Someone trying to open a neighbor’s door or window.
• A moving truck or van pulled up to a neighbor’s home while they are gone.
• Remember, burglaries often occur at times when they should be most obvious (broad daylight, in full view of observers).
• Someone carrying property such as televisions, stereos, etc., at an unusually late hour or in an unusual place, especially if it does not appear that the property is newly purchased.
• The sound of shattering glass could signal a possible burglary, vandalism or larceny in progress.
• Anyone peering into vehicles as they walk down the street or someone removing tags, gasoline or parts from a vehicle.
• Someone attempting to enter a vehicle using a coat hanger or other device.
• Never assume that it is the owner who has locked his keys in his car. Be suspicious of anyone tampering with the hood or trunk of a car.
• An improperly parked vehicle or abandoned vehicle or someone leaving one vehicle and driving away in another may be signs of a stolen vehicle.
• Anyone being forced into a vehicle could be a victim of possible abduction.
• Persons loitering around schools, parks, and isolated areas or in the neighborhood. These loiterers could be possible sex offenders or burglars.
• Business transactions conducted from vehicles, especially around schools, playgrounds or parks.
• A steady flow of strangers to and from a particular house on a regular basis could indicate drug sales or a fencing operation (purchasing of stolen goods).
• Offers of goods or repair work at an unusually low price could indicate stolen property or some type of fraud.
• All fights, screams and loud noises (such as explosions) should be reported.
• Door-to-door solicitors without properly issued licenses and identification should be suspected.
“DON’T WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO CALL. CALL THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY TO REPORT IN PROGRESS SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY.”
Emergency: 911 Non-Emergency: 441-5610
Lastly, please visit our website www.wardscorner.com or www.wardscornernow.com to read more about this and other important news items affecting our area. I hope to see you at our next meeting on Monday, April 18th at 645PM at the Wellness Center.

Thanks,

Sincerely,

Here is President Jim English’s message for March 2011:

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

If you missed our February meeting, you missed a great one. It was great in that we honored three Granby Elementary Students who won 1st place in their school class’s science fair with their interesting science experiments. They then went on to the Norfolk City Science Fair where each one of them also did very well. In fact one of the students won first place in their class category. The names of the three students and their science projects that they shared with us at our meeting are:

5th Grade:

Jacob Grigsby

“Which Method of Transferring Bacteria is the Quickest?”

Heath Science, 5th Grade, 3rd Place

4th Grade:

Xander Chiera

“Which Combination of Bearings and Wheels Will Make My Awesome Skateboard Go The Fastest?”

Design Technology, 4th Grade, 1st Place

3rd Grade:

James Rakestraw

“Which Marble Will Fly Farther When Thrown With a Constant Force?”

Design Technology, 3rd Grade, 3rd Place

Congratulations to all the winners, their proud parents and their Lead Science Teacher and Fair Coordinator, Ms. Laura Moore. You make us proud!

In other news and after discussion with Police Red Sector Commander Lt. MacKenzie and Community Resource Officer Davis at our last meeting, we have decided to make increasing our communication with the police a top goal for us this year. Our primary goal is to work with the police in responding to incidents that are currently happening in our neighborhood in real time. We want to assist by providing the police with information such as descriptions of suspects, their locations, vehicles they may be driving, and other needed information in an effort to help the police apprehend those individuals. The police officers in turn will provide us with more timely information concerning incidents in our neighborhood when they can do so. This will probably be done in part by establishing email links between the police and us. As this process develops we will bring you more information.

At its last Planning Commission meeting, the Commission members voted against the proposed changes submitted by Art Collins regarding his development project on Newport Ave. While this is a setback for him, it is not over for the project. He can still build what he wants without any more approvals if he goes back to the original plan that was approved a couple of years age. So, we should not be overjoyed yet with this latest development since we still don’t know what he will do. We can only hope that whatever he does he will get serious and do what is in best interest of our neighborhood. We will continue to monitor his development proposal with the city Planning Department.

We recently found out that although the application by For Kids for a thrift store in the business district was turned down by the Planning Commission, For Kids is resubmitting its proposal again in hopes of getting a different vote to allow them to open their thrift store in the same place. While I have already submitted a letter to the Planning Commission indicating our disapproval of this project because it is not a positive fit for the business district, I will again submit another letter indicating the same as the first. In my opinion “NO MEANS NO” and I don’t understand what they don’t get about NO. So stayed turn for future developments on this issue as well.

Also regarding the businesses in the district and on a sad note, I must report that the Wards Corner Pub has closed effective March 13th. This is indeed unfortunate and yet becomes another victim of the lack of attention being paid by downtown to revitalize Wards Corner. Perhaps we need more thrift stores, check- cashing places, pawnshops and rent-to-own stores in the area to attract quality businesses to Wards Corner.

We would like to hear from you regarding what you would like to see or hear at our regular civic league meetings. Each month we try to bring you as much new and important information as we can as well as interesting speakers. If you have ideas for topics, speakers or other issues please let us know. You may email me or contact any of the officers that are listed in the newsletter. This is your civic league and we want you to be a part of it.

Finally, our Virginia General Assembly Delegation will be at our next civic league as announced in this newsletter. Please come and hear what they have been doing for us in Richmond. This is an important year in that Norfolk will be redistricted and it could have a significant impact on who represents us in Richmond in the future.

Sincerely,