Last night Deputy City Manager Dave Hansen was the speaker at the June meeting of the Council of Civic Organizations (CCO), Virginia Beach's civic league federation. His Presentation was on efforts to replace the Beach's Animal Shelter, an often-discussed issue this Spring.
Hansen stated that if Virginia Beach doesn't build a state-of-the-art new facility, we'll regret it in subsequent years. Shelters should be inviting places that you should want to go to, and should make you feel warm upon arrival. When Cuyahoga County built their new facility, visits shot up 78% and volunteers jumped from 6 to 165.
The sticking point is funding. Hansen wanted the CCO to spearhead a fundraising effort to raise money to build a state-of-the-art facility. He noted both the Virginia Aquarium and the Sandler Center are partially supported by private foundations. In addition, last week Armada/Hoffler submitted an unsolicited PPEA offer to help with constructing a new shelter, which would seek donated building supplies while offering construction labor at cost. Hansen, who has three cats (dogs rule!), stated only 10-12% of pets in Virginia Beach are licensed. All license revenue goes to the Animal Shelter.
Critics had a couple problems with Hansen's stance:
1. With other recent City spending projects (i.e. Town Center Phase IV, Norfolk Southern Right-Of-Way, Laskin Gateway Project) going forward, why is the community being asked to pass the hat for an Animal Shelter?
2. How much influence is Armada/Hoffler buying with the City? They already have the Town Center partnership, and are one of two finalists for the convention center headquarters hotel.
Building a new state-of-the-art shelter would require at least 3-4 acres. Sketches of the proposed building were shown. The site preferred by Staff is adjacent to the Doylestown neighborhood, southwest of the I-264/Lynnhaven Parkway intersection. The runner-up is next to the current SPCA facility. (As it would require removing soccer fields, as a former high school soccer player, want to know what you can do with that idea?)
One resident asked about retrofitting an existing building. Hansen said "a dozen" had been looked at, but none lent themselves to such a purpose.
Dave Hansen was asked how the cause would be publicized. He noted me sitting in the second row, and wanted a blog story. Okay, Dave, you have it, but next time I want something much juicier than an Animal Shelter.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Thanks Demonrats
Well, you got one right. You passed over the shameless pablum-pushing of Brian Moron and Terry McAwful in order to nominate Creigh Deeds for Governor.
However, you showed what idiots you really are in nominating Jody Wagner for Lieutenant Governor. Yeah, the imbecile who - as Secretary of Finance - couldn't start to get the budget numbers right. We're going to have fun the next five months reminding Virginians of how math-impaired she is. Thank you! Most of all, Bill Bolling thanks you.
However, you showed what idiots you really are in nominating Jody Wagner for Lieutenant Governor. Yeah, the imbecile who - as Secretary of Finance - couldn't start to get the budget numbers right. We're going to have fun the next five months reminding Virginians of how math-impaired she is. Thank you! Most of all, Bill Bolling thanks you.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Economic Indicator? 4th Edition
The reason I was in Newport News this morning was to go to the Peninsula Institute for Community Health (PICH) Dental Clinic. I finally got the last of the work done fixing my teeth. (Thank you, PICH!)
PICH also runs a pediatrics clinic in the same building. (Their Administration offices are on the 2nd Floor.) I've never seen more than 10-12 waiting in the lobby at one time before, but we had 22 today.
For my fellow Virginia Beach residents, two things on PICH. First, they now have a low-cost health care clinic at the Beach. Second, PICH is the one place for a Beach resident to go for low-cost dental care in Hampton Roads. (They also have a dental office in Suffolk.) Their website is at http://www.pich.org
PICH also runs a pediatrics clinic in the same building. (Their Administration offices are on the 2nd Floor.) I've never seen more than 10-12 waiting in the lobby at one time before, but we had 22 today.
For my fellow Virginia Beach residents, two things on PICH. First, they now have a low-cost health care clinic at the Beach. Second, PICH is the one place for a Beach resident to go for low-cost dental care in Hampton Roads. (They also have a dental office in Suffolk.) Their website is at http://www.pich.org
NNTC TVM Is Operational - Sort Of
The new Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) at the Newport News Transportation Center (NNTC) is now operational. I was there this morning, but the machine was taking cash only. It's designed to also take bank cards, but that will probably take further IT work.
FYI, Michael Ragsdale, it is programmed to sell 30 Day Senior & Disabled (30 Day ED) farecards, and also 1 Day EDs, 2 Ride ED, and 1 Day Shuttle ED.
(Correction: the farecards in the above paragraph have been corrected from the original post.)
FYI, Michael Ragsdale, it is programmed to sell 30 Day Senior & Disabled (30 Day ED) farecards, and also 1 Day EDs, 2 Ride ED, and 1 Day Shuttle ED.
(Correction: the farecards in the above paragraph have been corrected from the original post.)
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Roof Repairs At St. Gregory's
For those of you who missed Mass (or left early) this weekend at St. Gregory's, there was one big announcement. Starting tomorrow, the church roof will be repaired and reshingled. Due to that, there will be a few temporary changes in our parish.
The small parking lot adjacent to Clearfield Avenue will be closed, as that's where the construction materials will be kept. The Guadalupe Garden will also be closed, as the roof slopes into it on three sides, making for a safety hazard.
Work is scheduled to begin about 7 A.M. Monday - Friday mornings, and sometimes on Saturday. That means work will be going on during 8:30 A.M. daily Mass, so there may be some noise. However, the crew will halt for any funerals during the period. Given the materials being used, a smell is expected to drift into the church building.
The roof is expected to be done by the end of July, possibly longer depending on what is found as the current roof is removed. Once completed, it is planned to begin repainting the interior of St. Gregory's in phases.
The small parking lot adjacent to Clearfield Avenue will be closed, as that's where the construction materials will be kept. The Guadalupe Garden will also be closed, as the roof slopes into it on three sides, making for a safety hazard.
Work is scheduled to begin about 7 A.M. Monday - Friday mornings, and sometimes on Saturday. That means work will be going on during 8:30 A.M. daily Mass, so there may be some noise. However, the crew will halt for any funerals during the period. Given the materials being used, a smell is expected to drift into the church building.
The roof is expected to be done by the end of July, possibly longer depending on what is found as the current roof is removed. Once completed, it is planned to begin repainting the interior of St. Gregory's in phases.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
80% Don't Think There Will Be A Tax Increase
Recently Virginia News Source said the Virginia Beach City Council would enact a "massive" tax increase in 2010. 80% don't believe it. Neither do I: Council raise taxes in an election year?
The new question: How many Scoping meetings do you plan to attend? The Scoping meetings this Summer will allow for public input prior to Virginia Beach's light rail study getting underway. Two meetings are tentatively being discussed.
The new question: How many Scoping meetings do you plan to attend? The Scoping meetings this Summer will allow for public input prior to Virginia Beach's light rail study getting underway. Two meetings are tentatively being discussed.
RAC June 4, 2009
This afternoon Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) held it's June meeting. Despite a long agenda, the meeting lasted only about 70 minutes.
There were two Presentations to the RAC. First was on the Laskin Road Gateway project (CIP 2-043), the four-phase $28.42 million plan to transform the roads, utility lines, and sidewalks around the Laskin Road entrance to the Resort Area. The Presentation was by Barry Frankenfield, who will officially become Strategic Growth Areas Manager on July 1. The second was on the Noise Ordinance enacted by City Council on May 12. The Ordinance is effectively an interim ordinance, enacted when the Virginia Supreme Court struck down the previous Noise Ordinance as too vague. The new Ordinance will be reviewed and probably amended at the end of the Summer, based on this season's events.
The RAC was asked to begin to think about taking positions on offshore energy options, with Commissioners asked what additional Presentations they would wish. The RAC may hear Presentations from Dominion Virginia Power and Virginia Natural Gas at it's July meeting, a session that will be attended by the City's chief lobbyist, Bob Matthias.
Speaking of Matthias, the RAC's committees were asked to prepare submissions for the 2010 Community Legislative Package.
Resort Administrator Mike Eason informed Commissioners that a number of properties in the Resort Area are beginning the process of being redeveloped, the first fruits of the Resort Area Strategic Action Plan.
RAC Chairman Ken Taylor asked Commissioners if they wished to keep the July meeting on the planned date of July 2, and no objections were made. The RAC normally meets on the 1st Thursday of the month at 3 P.M., and each year someone inevitably complains about the RAC meeting as Resort Area businesses are gearing up for the Fourth of July holiday. (Therefore, I wouldn't chisel that July 2 date in stone even after today's decision to not move the meeting.)
The RAC was told that talks were "close" to allowing horse riding at Fort Story during the Summer. The same company operates along the Resort Area beach in the off-season, but safety concerns (i.e. horses in proximity of that many tourists) have led the City to not permit rides there during the Summer.
After a hiatus of several months, Bob O'Connor attended today's RAC meeting. Also present was former City Councilman Jim Reeve.
There were two Presentations to the RAC. First was on the Laskin Road Gateway project (CIP 2-043), the four-phase $28.42 million plan to transform the roads, utility lines, and sidewalks around the Laskin Road entrance to the Resort Area. The Presentation was by Barry Frankenfield, who will officially become Strategic Growth Areas Manager on July 1. The second was on the Noise Ordinance enacted by City Council on May 12. The Ordinance is effectively an interim ordinance, enacted when the Virginia Supreme Court struck down the previous Noise Ordinance as too vague. The new Ordinance will be reviewed and probably amended at the end of the Summer, based on this season's events.
The RAC was asked to begin to think about taking positions on offshore energy options, with Commissioners asked what additional Presentations they would wish. The RAC may hear Presentations from Dominion Virginia Power and Virginia Natural Gas at it's July meeting, a session that will be attended by the City's chief lobbyist, Bob Matthias.
Speaking of Matthias, the RAC's committees were asked to prepare submissions for the 2010 Community Legislative Package.
Resort Administrator Mike Eason informed Commissioners that a number of properties in the Resort Area are beginning the process of being redeveloped, the first fruits of the Resort Area Strategic Action Plan.
RAC Chairman Ken Taylor asked Commissioners if they wished to keep the July meeting on the planned date of July 2, and no objections were made. The RAC normally meets on the 1st Thursday of the month at 3 P.M., and each year someone inevitably complains about the RAC meeting as Resort Area businesses are gearing up for the Fourth of July holiday. (Therefore, I wouldn't chisel that July 2 date in stone even after today's decision to not move the meeting.)
The RAC was told that talks were "close" to allowing horse riding at Fort Story during the Summer. The same company operates along the Resort Area beach in the off-season, but safety concerns (i.e. horses in proximity of that many tourists) have led the City to not permit rides there during the Summer.
After a hiatus of several months, Bob O'Connor attended today's RAC meeting. Also present was former City Councilman Jim Reeve.
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