Wards Corner Civic League

As we begin a New Year we look forward to increasing progress in the redevelopment of Wards Corner. At our next civic league meeting on January 24th we will have a very important vote regarding a business that wants to open in the business district in the near future. This is important because this type of business (a thrift store) needs the approval of the neighborhoods in order to obtain an adult use permit. The For Kids organization last spoke at our December meeting regarding their plans to open a thrift store in the storefront that was once operated by the Sports Zone. They have made presentations at most of the area civic leagues, the Wards Corner Task Force and Wards Corner Now. Formal and informal votes have been taken at some of these meetings and most have been against such a venue in Wards Corner. As a membership we will vote on this issue and present our decision to the Planning Commission prior to their vote on January 27th.  Since this is a membership vote, ONLY those members who have paid their dues through 2010 will be allowed to vote. If you wish to vote on this issue you must pay your dues prior to voting. We will collect your dues of $5.00 at the door and verify that only members vote.

Also on the agenda for that meeting will be my annual highlights of our civic leagues activities for 2010. We will also conduct our annual election of officers. So far all of the current officers have expressed their willingness to continue in their respective offices. Those officers include in addition to myself, Martin Thomas Jr., Vice President for membership; Sue Classick, Vice President for newsletters; Joan Griffey, Secretary; and Ray Duron, Treasurer. We are also grateful for Barbara Ross who will continue as our newsletter editor. A slate of candidates will be presented and nominations will also be taken from the floor.

In other developments, the Norfolk Police are requesting our assistance regarding the following crimes that have been recently occurring throughout the Hampton Roads area.

There have been more than 50 Propane Gas tanks stolen from several locations throughout the Hampton Roads area between December 21 and December 24.  No suspect information is available at this time. All the thefts were from convenience stores where the tanks are located in an outside storage container, locked with a padlock. The padlocks have been found broken or missing from the scene. If you see someone, or something, suspicious around propane tanks, please call the non-emergency # at 441-5610 or Crime Line at 1-888-LOCKUUP.

Also:

There have been seven incidents where vehicles were stolen by an unknown person or persons. In four of the cases, witnesses report they observed a dark blue or black pick-up style tow truck possibly operated by a black male. The tow truck may be unmarked or may have very small lettering displayed. Most of the vehicles were inoperable at the time they were stolen. If you observe a tow truck matching this description, please notify the Police at 9-1-1 or 441-5610.

As the new year begins we will be once again provide 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 problems. You may keep track of the civic league happenings in this monthly newsletter but your presence at the meetings is greatly appreciated. Please consider attending.

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 24th at 645PM and the February meeting will be the 26th 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. If reelected we will continue to do our best.

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