The draft Bylaws for the Civic League have been updated based on feedback received to date. Barring any critical comments between now and the Oct. meeting, the plan is to vote on these by-laws at that time. If you do have comments please send them to nhcivicleague@yahoo.com no later than September 30.
Draft By-Laws
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Town Meeting
What a great turnout at the town meeting Tuesday night! Many of the residents rose issues that we discuss routinely within the civic league. The negative aspect of that is many of the residents didn't know the civic league exists. Hopefully the town meeting served as a catalyst to attract new members. Please continue to request the "Respect our Neighborhood" signs and I will keep them coming. If you have issues or questions do not hesitate to contact me. See you October 6th.
Adam
Adam
City of Chesapeake Town Meeting in Norfolk Highlands - September 6, 2011
There was an excellent turnout for the Town Meeting at the Norfolk Highlands Primary School last night. Over one hundred local residents jammed into the school's small gymnasium to meet with the Chesapeake City Council. What followed was a lively discussion that highlighted concerns around the state of the Indian River Shopping Center, speeding vehicles along our residential streets, and code violations in the neighborhood.
The council was impressed by the large turnout, indicating that this is not always the case at other town meetings across the city. Twenty-five citizens - about a quarter of the attendees - rose to speak and submit their comments and questions to the council. The very first speaker was our own Norfolk Highlands Civic League president, Adam Arbogast, who among other comments, gave a "shameless plug" for the League. Concerns raised by the attendees ranged from storm debris cleanup to the fate of Dominion Power's coal fired power plant in Chesapeake to a young lady's very well prepared and presented petition to allow - the very limited - raising of chickens in residential areas.
Some of the most repeated concerns focused on the old Indian River Shopping Center. The center is in urgent need of renovation and rejuvenation and locals want the city to become an active partner in restoring the center to be a useful economic hub in the community. The council clearly heard our concerns and the City Manager has the action to come back with a comprehensive plan for the property.
The community also expressed that the city needs to take action on cars speeding along our residential streets. Residents highlighted the danger citing examples of past crashes in the neighborhood due to speeding. Residents also want the city to more strictly enforce city codes and standards, ranging from littering to the placement of dumpsters at construction sites to building permits. Citizens also want better enforcement of building codes to prevent any neglect of homes and businesses. There were both general and specific complaints about the maintenance of the storm water culverts and the need for contiguous sidewalks along the larger roadways including Sparrow, Rokeby, Providence and Military Highway.
Other comments touched on property taxes, police presence, our council election process, school budgets, the SoNo library decision, trash and recycling pick up in townhouse developments, and the need for a backup generator for the Aqua Virginia water well. Many residents also thanked the city for all the prompt attention and services that are so often delivered without much fanfare.
After the public comments, the city council members spoke and acknowledge the feedback. Regarding storm debris cleanup from Hurricane Irene, the city is working its way from west to east and Indian River should be services by next week. As mentioned earlier, the City Manager promised to come up with a comprehensive plan regarding the Indian River Shopping Center. Overall, the Council and the City Manager will prepare written responses to all the input from the meeting, which will be provided back to the questioner and will be posted to the city website. The Civic League will be looking at those response when they are available too.
In attendance from the City Council were Dr. Rick West, Dr. Ella Ward, Debbie Ritter, Scott Matheson, Suzy Kelly, Cliff Hayes, and Mayor Alan Krasnoff. Also present was City Manager William Harrell and some of his staff.
The council was impressed by the large turnout, indicating that this is not always the case at other town meetings across the city. Twenty-five citizens - about a quarter of the attendees - rose to speak and submit their comments and questions to the council. The very first speaker was our own Norfolk Highlands Civic League president, Adam Arbogast, who among other comments, gave a "shameless plug" for the League. Concerns raised by the attendees ranged from storm debris cleanup to the fate of Dominion Power's coal fired power plant in Chesapeake to a young lady's very well prepared and presented petition to allow - the very limited - raising of chickens in residential areas.
Some of the most repeated concerns focused on the old Indian River Shopping Center. The center is in urgent need of renovation and rejuvenation and locals want the city to become an active partner in restoring the center to be a useful economic hub in the community. The council clearly heard our concerns and the City Manager has the action to come back with a comprehensive plan for the property.
The community also expressed that the city needs to take action on cars speeding along our residential streets. Residents highlighted the danger citing examples of past crashes in the neighborhood due to speeding. Residents also want the city to more strictly enforce city codes and standards, ranging from littering to the placement of dumpsters at construction sites to building permits. Citizens also want better enforcement of building codes to prevent any neglect of homes and businesses. There were both general and specific complaints about the maintenance of the storm water culverts and the need for contiguous sidewalks along the larger roadways including Sparrow, Rokeby, Providence and Military Highway.
Other comments touched on property taxes, police presence, our council election process, school budgets, the SoNo library decision, trash and recycling pick up in townhouse developments, and the need for a backup generator for the Aqua Virginia water well. Many residents also thanked the city for all the prompt attention and services that are so often delivered without much fanfare.
After the public comments, the city council members spoke and acknowledge the feedback. Regarding storm debris cleanup from Hurricane Irene, the city is working its way from west to east and Indian River should be services by next week. As mentioned earlier, the City Manager promised to come up with a comprehensive plan regarding the Indian River Shopping Center. Overall, the Council and the City Manager will prepare written responses to all the input from the meeting, which will be provided back to the questioner and will be posted to the city website. The Civic League will be looking at those response when they are available too.
In attendance from the City Council were Dr. Rick West, Dr. Ella Ward, Debbie Ritter, Scott Matheson, Suzy Kelly, Cliff Hayes, and Mayor Alan Krasnoff. Also present was City Manager William Harrell and some of his staff.
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