October | 2015 | Wards Corner Civic League

October meeting and message

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Martin Thomas Jr.

The October 2015 Civic League meeting has been CANCELLED so that residents can attend the Denby Park Charrette scheduled for October 19, 2015 from 5:30 – 8pm at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, 288 E. Little Creek Road.

The President’s message is below:

Dear Neighbors,
For our meeting this month, we will be having a joint meeting with the other Wards Corner area civic leagues regarding the redevelopment of Denby Park. This is a change from our normal meeting and was just announced in the recent week.

As many of you know, the redevelopment of the Greater Wards Corner Area is something that several of us have been working on for over 15 years. In fact, in 2002 we urged the city to commission an outside study of the area to determine the best way to revitalize it. That resulted in the Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan in 2003 which has been to some extent the driving force behind our revitalization efforts. It was clear that the Denby Park area needed the most immediate attention in order to remove the negative pressures placed on it because of the many blighted apartments and crime issues that were affecting all of us. Since then and particularly in the past 5 years, the city has been setting aside money to purchase and demolish many of these properties.

That has been for the most part completed now, and we are at the stage to determine what is best for that area in the way of redevelopment. Consequently, the city is planning to hold a “charrette” or collaborative meeting among stakeholders to determine the best use alternatives to a land or design project. The date of this meeting coincides with our normal meeting date, but because of its importance we want to allow all interested civic league members the opportunity to attend. It will be held on October 19th. The time and location are posted in this newsletter in the upper left hand corner. I hope you all can take advantage of this opportunity to participate and help define the direction of the Denby Park redevelopment.

This November 3rd we will be electing several new leaders to our State government. Here are the choices for our area:

Candidates for the 100th District House of Delegates race are Delegate Robert Bloxom Jr. (R) and Willie Randall (D). Candidates for the 6th Senate District are Senator Lynwood Lewis (D) and challenger Robert Ottinger (R).

Since we will not have a candidate forum as previously planned due to the Denby Park meeting, I urge you to find out about these candidates and vote for those individuals you believe will represent us best in the Virginia General Assembly.

Because of these important elections and our responsibility as a US citizen to vote in every election, I am including a short piece regarding the reasons we should vote. I hope you enjoy it.

The following is from the website of Essortment.com.
“Voting in a local, state, or national election is an exciting opportunity provided by democratic nations to their citizens. There are many good reasons to vote, including the following:

1. Casting a vote allows an individual to express a choice among candidates who wish to become government leaders. It’s up to each voter to locate available information about each candidate and to make an informed decision about how to vote. Rather than allowing potential leaders to hide weaknesses and wrong-doing from public awareness, a democratic voting process urges citizens to get involved and to share viewpoints about who should lead. Failing to register a vote is tantamount to saying you don’t care. Few people truly remain oblivious to government leadership. Most have opinions about the way things should go, and they should use the voting process to express their preferences.

2. Voting provides a medium for citizens to support the democratic structure. If a majority of citizens chose not to vote, democracy might become a thing of the past, replaced by another form of government that might prove more elitist in nature. Registering to vote means that you believe in the democratic process and will participate in it to represent your right to freedom of speech.

3. Supporting the electoral process helps to reinforce your regional government. Showing that you care with your vote tells candidates that they must be accountable to the public. It also suggests that those who introduce issues for a vote must provide adequate information to answer citizens’ questions and address their concerns rather than attempt to foist a half-baked idea onto the general public.

4. Showing up at the poll on voting day sets a good example to others. Remember, your children observe all that you do and will learn from your example, right or wrong as it may be. Civic awareness is an important part of their training and one of the early steps on the road to maturity. Discuss the candidates with your family and make a point of mentioning your vote, or wearing the pin distributed at many polls that reads “I voted today.” Voting also sets a positive example to neighbors, friends, and family who may be uninterested in or unfamiliar
with the electoral system.

5. Finally, taking time to vote reflects pride in your nation and its government. The country becomes a beacon of liberty for the rest of the world who will be watching. Let everyone know that you care enough about your homeland and its leaders to have a say in the election’s outcome. Never surrender your right to speak your mind via the vote on Election Day.

If you are not currently registered to vote, call or stop in at the electoral office in Norfolk City Hall to get signed up. It only takes a few minutes, and even that step is likely to get noticed by those who are watching.” Please become informed about these candidates and issues before you vote and please vote.

Finally I wish to thank those of you who accepted my request to deliver newsletters. As a result of those stepping up we now have almost full coverage for delivery of our newsletters. In addition to the paper copy of our newsletter we our also going to post it on Nextdoor Neighbors Wards Corner where we have almost 200 people signed up for our civic league. We also post the newsletter on http://www.wardscorner.com.
Enjoy!!

I hope to see you at the Denby Park meeting on October 19th. Please enjoy this edition of the Wards Corner Civic League newsletter. Our newsletter editor puts a lot of effort in producing our great newsletters.
Thanks,