Newtown Strategic Growth Area Master Planning Process

September 15, 2009

Dear Citizen:

Meetings to plan the future of the Newtown Strategic Growth Area are about to begin, and the City invites you to share your thoughts and learn more about what your neighbors think. There are many current issues that will influence land use in this area, including the adjacent light rail station in Norfolk, the proposed Cleveland Street Flyover and plans for the Norfolk Southern right-of-way. Homeowners, property owners and business owners all have a stake in the future of Newtown, and we ask that you help us define and clarify a vision for how the land could be used and create a strategy for making that vision real.

Please join us:

Thursday, October 1st at 6 p.m. We’ll introduce you to the Newtown Strategic Growth Area Master Planning Process and gather your input and feedback.

In addition, we are holding small focus groups from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1st. If you can take the time during the day to give us more in-depth input, please let us know and we will place you in a session that best suits your schedule.

All events will be based at the DEQ Tidewater Regional Office, 5636 Southern Boulevard, Virginia Beach.

These meetings are the first steps in an ongoing process of seeking input and direction from the public and using it to guide the future of this area. For more information or focus group scheduling, please contact the Virginia Beach Planning Department at 385-4621 and ask for Karen Lasley or Carolyn Smith. You can also reach Karen and Carolyn by e-mail at klasley@VBgov.com or caksmith@VBgov.com.


Sincerely yours,

Jack

William J. "Jack" Whitney, Jr.
Director of Planning

FREE SELF DEFENSE WORKSHOP Nov. 15th

The VB Crime Prevention Unit will be hosting in partnership with Parks & Recreation:

“The Best Defense” Self-Defense Workshop

WHEN: Saturday, November 15th, 1:00 – 4:00 P.M.

WHERE: Princess Anne Rec Center

You do not need to be a Rec. Center member, and there is no charge to attend.

The easiest way to register, if you are not already a member, is by calling the rec center directly at 426-0022. Please pass the information on to anyone you may know who might benefit from this class.

QUESTIONS?

Email or call our 4th Precinct MPO Leta Krieger at

Phone: 385-1324

Email: lkrieger@vbgov.com

PETPALOOZA 1008 Sunday, Nov. 9th, 10 - 2

Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 9th! Bring your four-legged friends and join the

Friends of Virginia Beach Animal Control (FOVBAC) and other local animal lovers at Princess Anne Middle School and be a part of Petpalooza 2008! Sponsored by the Virginia Beach Animal Control, Petpalooza is free and open to the public, featuring a variety of pet-friendly vendors, K-9 demonstrations, a rabies clinic, prizes and more. Additionally, Petpalooza will feature a number of pets in immediate need of adoption. The animals are presently but temporarily housed at the municipal Animal Control shelter. It is the primary mission of FOVBAC to help each of these animals find a forever family to love and care for them, as they are unable to remain indefinitely at the shelter.

Come out for a day of fun!

Sunday, November 9th, 2008

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Princess Anne Middle School

2509 Seaboard Road

Virginia Beach 23456

For further information, please contact Lori Logan at 757.318.0469

Disaster Preparedness Day - Attendance is free! Lunch is free! Register today.

The Citizen Corps Council of Virginia Beach invites you to attend our second annual Disaster Preparedness Day! Disaster Preparedness Day, (DPD), is a great opportunity for citizens to learn about various aspects of personal and community emergency preparedness all within a one-day event.

You can register online for "DPD 2008" by going to http://www.dpd2008.com/

This event is open to the public, so please feel free to forward this e-mail on to others and pass the word along about "DPD 2008" to family, friends and other organizations!

Please note that the last day for registration for this event is next Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008. Attendance is free! Lunch is free! We look forward to seeing you there!

Project Green Electronic Recycling

Saturday, October 11th

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
All Grand Furniture Locations

Virginia Beach - 5129 Virginia Beach Blvd.

Norfolk - 836 East Little Creek Road

Chesapeake - 13283 Western Branch Blvd., 1591 Crossways Blvd.

Hampton - 2318 Mercury Blvd.

Newport News - 1209 Jefferson Avenue

The $10 processing charge for television sets will be waived for the first 100 sets at each location.

With donation of any television set Grand furniture is offering a $100 rebate towards the purchase television set 32" and above good through Oct. 31. Not good towards clearance items and cannot be combined with any other offers. Limit one per family.

ACCEPTED ITEMS
Personal Computers (PCs), Monitors, LCD Screen / Flat Screen Monitors, VCRs, Radios, Stereos, DVD Players, Microwaves, Power Supplies, Rechargeable Batteries, Vacuums, Banking Equipment, Telephones, Pagers, Networking Equipment, Laptops, Keyboards, Mice, Power Cables, Medical Equipment (Non-Hazardous), Printers, Copy Machines, Fax Machines, Cell Phones, Transformers, Scanners, Portable Electronic Devices, Servers, HUBS, Ink Cartridges, Toner Cartridges, Remotes, Modems, Projectors, Cameras, Televisions (No Processing Charge).

UNACCEPTED ITEMS
Refrigerators, Washer Machines, Clothes Dryers, Dish Washers, Mercury Containing Devices (Thermometers, Fire Alarms), Hazardous Chemicals / Materials, Light Bulbs, Florescent Tubes, Bio-Waste

Neighborhood Conference

VBCCO's

Virginia Beach Neighborhood Conference

Saturday, October 4th, 9-12:30 PM

VB Central Library
4100 Virginia Beach Blvd

FEW SPACES STILL AVAILABLE
MAY REGISTER AT THE DOOR

For those that have not already registered for the Virginia Beach Neighborhood Conference this Saturday, we have a few spaces still available and will offer limited registration at the door.

We will not only have our very own Mayor Oberndorf opening the event, but we will also have our WVEC Channel 13 personality, Lasalle Blanks as our Keynote Speaker, followed by three other presentations and roundtable discussions.

Remember, breakfast food and drinks are offered. Also, the Girl Scouts will offer "Movie-Time" for children so every family can attend and learn how to improve their neighborhoods through volunteerism in community organizations.

Historic Preservation Town Meeting

Virginia Beach City Council Invites Public Comment at Historic Preservation Town Meeting on Sept. 24 at Kellam High School

Release Date: Friday, September 12, 2008 4 p.m.

Virginia Beach is approaching its 50th anniversary and is one of the most historic locations in Virginia. City Council is requesting that citizens help chart the course for the preservation of the city’s valuable historic resources by participating in a Historic Preservation Town Meeting on Sept. 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Kellam High School, 2323 Holland Road. The input of citizens is needed to identify the needs and the best approaches to ensure that historic homes and buildings are preserved.

For more information and to confirm attendance at the meeting, please call 385-5104 or 385-8613.

SEPTEMBER - MEET THE CANDIDATES

"Meet the Candidates" Forum

September 11th, 2008 @ 7 PM

* * * THIS MEETING IS FREE * * *

AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

LOCATION:
ARROWHEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 5549 SUSQUEHANNA DRIVE

Would you like to know each incumbent or prospective candidate’s vision and plan for our City prior to ELECTION DAY, November 4th?


Inside our CL Newsletter, fill out the MEET THE CANDIDATES QUESTIONNAIRE and submit your questions to candidates running for Mayor or those wanting to represent the Kempsville district on City Council or School Board. Then attend "Meet the Candidates" Forum, September 11th.

Then attend “Meet the Candidates” Forum

September 11th

to get the answers

to your questions

straight from the candidates.

Questions or issues might be…. what is the primary reason for seeking a seat on City Council, regarding energy costs - how do you plan to address increased energy costs and minimizing their impact on the City, neighborhood issues, taxes, Light Rail, parks and recreation, fees (water, sewer, garbage), economic development, law enforcement, fire, rescue, Town Center, housing developments.

TRY TRANSIT WEEK

There's a better way to get to work
Solo drivers across Virginia are checking out ways to improve their commute and this is your chance to get on board! Try transit between September 22 and 25 and you could win a pass to ride free for a year!*
What is Try Transit Week?
Try Transit Week, which takes place from September 22 to 25, 2008, is a statewide event to encourage everyone to avoid driving solo and give transit options including bus and rail service, carpools, vanpools and telework a try.
Why try transit?
Three words: time, money and environment. Transit helps you save all three! When you use transit you save time because each car off the road means less congestion and fewer traffic delays. When you use transit you also save money on fuel and car expenses. Finally, when you use transit you help save the environment because each car off the road equals less fuel consumption and less harmful emissions into our air. AND if you pledge to try transit during Try Transit Week, you could win a one year transit pass to travel FREE!*
How do I try transit?
Visit www.trytransitweek.com, learn about the transit options in your area and pledge to try transit during the week of September 22-25. When you pledge to try transit, you will be automatically entered for a chance to win a one year transit pass to the transit operator of your choice to ride free for a year!* In addition, your registration will help your locality win the contest for the highest number of pledges. There couldn’t be a better time to give transit a chance. So get on board with Try Transit Week and start experiencing all the benefits that transit has to offer!
You can view or update your subscriptions, password or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need are your e-mail address and your password. You can always use the "Reset your Password" link on the Log-In page for help.
This service is provided to you at no charge by Hampton Roads Transit. Visit us on the web at http://www.gohrt.com If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.

Disaster Preparedness Day 2008!

Disaster Preparedness Day 2008!
Hosted by the Virginia Beach Citizen Corps Council
Saturday, September 6th, 2008: 8:00am - 4:00pm


Beach Fire/EMS Training Center
927 S. Birdneck Rd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Disaster Preparedness Day is an opportunity for our community
to gain a better understanding of the role of Citizen Corps and
its program partners in an emergency or disaster. Attendees will
have the opportunity to receive training and education on how
to prepare themselves as well as their community for disasters and
emergencies. In addition, attendees will have the chance to observe
demonstrations from local and regional emergency responders.
Event and training sessions to include:
· Weather related disaster event scenario
· Terrorism Awareness: Federal Bureau of Investigation
· Emergency Management In Our City: Virginia Beach Office of Emergency Management
· Virginia Beach And Weather Related Disasters: National Weather Service
· Planning For Pets In a Disaster: Virginia Beach SPCA
· Communication Skills For Psychological First Aid: Virginia Beach Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
· Emergency Preparedness In Schools: City of Virginia Beach Public Schools
· Emergency Preparedness For Businesses: Private sector businesses
· Faith Based Community Preparedness: Virginia Beach Office of Emergency Management
· Assisting Special Need Populations Following an Emergency: American Red Cross

In addition, Citizen Corps programs and partners will also be in attendance to provide various demonstrations and

information on emergency preparedness and response volunteer programs. Some of the organizations represented at this event to include: Amateur Radio, American Red Cross, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Community Emergency Response Team, Emergency Medical Services, Medical Reserve Corps, Neighborhood Watch, Salvation Army, SPCA, Virginia Beach Police Department and more!

Attendance is free! Lunch is free!

You must register in order to attend this event.
Space is limited.

Register online by going to
www.dpd2008.com

or fax/mail your information on the registration form that is provided.

We look forward to seeing you there!

VB Citizens' Police Academy

Virginia Beach Citizens' Police Academy
Currently Accepting Applications Through September 12, 2008

Have you ever wondered why officers can’t just kick down a door to catch a supposed “bad guy?” What type of equipment does the SWAT team use and why do they use it? How are serious crimes investigated and what exactly does the Forensics Unit do at a major crime scene? You can find out answers to these questions and many more while attending the Virginia Beach Police Department’s Citizens’ Police Academy. The Academy provides an excellent opportunity for citizens, who live and/or work in the City of Virginia Beach, to become familiar with the day-to-day operations of the police department. This will enable participants to gain a better understanding of the procedures, guidelines, responsibilities, demands, personnel, equipment, policies, and laws that guide the department's decisions. Citizens will hear the accounts and experiences of a wide variety of police personnel and will also engage in hands-on activities. This class is not intended to make citizens into police officers but to allow citizens to learn more about police operations. Citizens will become informed as to the actual role of the police and, in return, the police will benefit from the wealth of knowledge the citizens can give about their community. A police ride-along opportunity will be offered during the session for observation of the officers’ daily duties.

Applications are currently being accepted for the 26th session, which will run from September 23, 2008 through November 25, 2008, with classes held every Tuesday night from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. The class will be held at the Virginia Beach Municipal Complex, Human Resources Building No. 19, Classroom A. Applications are available at any Virginia Beach Police Precinct, the Crime Prevention Unit Building #15 at the Municipal Center, or you can print a copy from the city’s web site http://www.vbgov.com/file_source/dept/police/Document/CPA-Application.pdf. Completed applications for this session must be received by the Crime Prevention Office either by mail or personal delivery by Friday, September 12, 2008. Please do not drop off completed applications at a police precinct. Seating is limited to 30 citizens.

Topics that are discussed in the academy include:
ü Recruitment Selection and Training
ü A Day in the Life of a Patrol Officer
ü Firearms Safety & Range Operations
ü Deadly Force Encounters
ü Forensics
ü Basic Criminal Law
ü Special Operations
ü Crime Prevention Programs
ü Special Investigations (narcotics, vice, gang investigations)
ü Police Chaplains Program
ü Criminal Investigations
ü Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney/Criminal Prosecutions
ü Media Relations

For further information, call MPO Jeff Eaton at 385-1066, bjeaton@vbgov.com or MPO Leta Krieger at 385-1324, lkrieger@vbgov.com.


MPO Jimmy Barnes, Public Relations/Marketing Office, 385-4494, jfbarnes@vbgov.com

PEOPLE - GET READY

TUNE IN AND WATCH

VBTV

Friday at 8PM

If you would like to view the video now, click here.

Cox subscribers - tune in to channel 48

Verizon subscribers - 45

Cavalier subscribers - 119

Watch an important VBTV video where Jim Kincaid and our regions' emergency experts share tips on how to protect your family and loved ones so all will be safe, no matter the emergency or disaster. This video will run at various times on television channel VBTV, and will be posted on vbgov's website.

Go through this video step by step. Take action with your family team NOW to prepare yourselves. Share it with all of your loved ones and neighbors. It can make a difference and perhaps save a life.

Message from the VB Council of Civic Organizations and the CITY

Mark your calendars for August 6! And please share this invitation with your friends and neighbors!

The Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations has partnered with the City of Virginia Beach to host this year’s annual legislative input meeting. This is a great step forward in our efforts to increase public participation in local government. Please come out to show your support for VBCCO and to share your ideas and concerns with members of City Council. This meeting promises to be both educations and worthwhile.

What: Community Legislative Town Meeting

When: 7 PM, Wednesday, August 6th

Where: Virginia Beach Convention Center

The City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations will be co-hosting a town-hall style discussion to give citizens an opportunity to provide valuable input into the City’s 2008 Legislative Agenda – goals which the City will submit to members of the local General Assembly delegation later in the year.

City Council members and General Assembly members will be invited to answer questions and hear your comments. This meeting will be an opportunity for neighborhoods, civic leaders, and citizens to share goals and ideas for state legislation that can have a positive impact on our city.
Remember, because of the Dillon Rule, many local ordinances require General Assembly approval. So this meeting will impact more areas of local life than you may realize.

For meeting details, and examples of the City’s Legislative Agendas from recent years, please visit VBCCO.org.

NEWS RELEASE - Seizure of Illegal Fire Works this weekend

MEDIA CONTACT:
Richard Kephardt, Fire Marshal - 385-4228
MPO Margie Long, VBPD PIO – 385-4097
Virginia Beach Fire and Police Departments Join Forces to Seize
Illegal Fire Works This Holiday Weekend

Virginia Beach Fire and Police departments are joining forces this July 4th holiday weekend to keep citizens safe by warning them that the use of fireworks is illegal. “The public’s safety is our top priority,” stated Virginia Beach Fire Marshal Richard Kephart. Teams from both agencies will be on-duty throughout the city enforcing state and city codes. Regardless of where fireworks are purchased, the possession or use of fireworks is a violation of the City of Virginia Beach Code section 12-43.2. Virginia Beach City Code specifically prohibits: firecrackers, skyrockets, torpedoes and other fireworks that explode, travel laterally, and rise into the air or fire projectiles in the air. All illegal fireworks will be seized and the responsible party may be issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) or a summons from a team member.”

More fires are reported on Independence Day than on any other day, and fireworks account for half of those fires (more than any other cause of fires). In 2006, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated more than 9,200 people for fireworks-related injuries. Sparklers, fountains, and novelties alone accounted for one-third of these emergency room fireworks injuries. Sparklers have a burning temperature of 1200ºF – three times hotter than matches.

We encourage citizens to enjoy one of the FREE fireworks shows scheduled at Mount Trashmore Park or along the Oceanfront beginning at 9:30 p.m. Friday evening.

For more information on fireworks, contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 385-4228.

CITY PLANNING IS IN OUR HANDS

All,

Please review the city's press releases. All are important, however the first link listed is where the City Planning Dept. is seeking our input. They are mapping out what our city will look like 20 years from now.

As you know, we will have the light rail coming to Newtown Road and will continue more than likely into Va. Beach. It is expected that along the light rail, there will be development and now is when we need to act to help guide the city so that there is a unified vision of what we want our city to look like.

We are and will continue to grow. Please help the city by picking up the pruning sheers so that we can have a hand in what our tree sapling will look like when full-grown.

The following is provided for your information:

1. Citizens Wanted: Share Your Vision for the Future (198pln)

http://www.vbgov.com/news.aspx?vgnextoid=84f432a61228a110VgnVCM100000190c640a____

2. Bayfront Advisory Committee Meeting June 19 (199pln)

http://www.vbgov.com/news.aspx?vgnextoid=940b8c878628a110VgnVCM100000190c640a____

3. Department of Human Services Urges Individuals to Get Tested (200hs)

http://www.vbgov.com/news.aspx?vgnextoid=eacd8c878628a110VgnVCM100000190c640a____

Computers for the Absolute Beginner at Bayside Library

Location: Bayside Area Library

Scared of a mouse?

Can't find the key to keyboards?

Need help with files and folders?

Or maybe you can't even figure how to set up your new computer?

We can help! Sign up for a series of three one-hour classes (June 5, 12 & 19) at the Bayside Library from 7 - 8 PM. Registration is required.

Event Contact(s): Bayside Library (757) 385-2680

Planning Commission Subcommittee Seeks Public Input on Preservation Initiative

Later this year, City Council will consider the development of a program that would address the preservation, renewal and enhancement of the city's existing housing and neighborhoods. To assist in their consideration, the Planning Commission Subcommittee on Preservation (Preservation Subcommittee) is currently developing a set of recommendations, which will be presented to City Council and help determine the direction of this initiative.

The Preservation Subcommittee believes that public involvement is a key part of the planning process and vital to its success. Therefore, we invite you to review the Draft Neighborhood Preservation Policy Report, which can be found on the Preservation Subcommittee's web page. The subcommittee's webpage can be accessed from the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation's web site, www.vbgov.com/housing, under the "Housing Initiatives" section, as "Preservation Initiative." There you can access information about the subcommittee, such as its membership, meeting schedules, agendas and notes, and a copy of the Draft Neighborhood Preservation Policy Report. Remember to check the web page often as it is continually updated with the progress of the subcommittee's work.

As you review the Draft Neighborhood Preservation Policy Report, we ask that you please keep the following questions in mind:

Are these the right goals?
Is this the right direction?
How else can we address neighborhood preservation?

The Preservation Subcommittee values input on these recommendations and encourages you to share your feedback by contacting Lanitha Hudson , the coordinator of the Preservation Initiative at lhudson@vbgov.com or by calling 385-5734. You can also contact any member of the Preservation Subcommittee to share your feedback. The Membership list is located under “Related Documents” on the right of the Preservation Initiative webpage.

Thank you for your interest in the Preservation Initiative. We look forward to hearing your feedback.

FREE Summer Tech Camps

Please find below and attached information about FREE Summer Technology Camps for youth ages 16 - 18. The Southeastern Virginia Partnership (SEVA-PORT) was awarded a $5 million Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant in July 2007. These FREE camps, supported by WIRED, offer a great opportunity to expose and prepare young people to important technological skills. Please share this information with parents, youth, and others whom you know are interested in taking advantage of these opportunities. The deadline for registration is June 2!


Modeling, Simulation & Gaming
July 14-18
12:30 p.m.—5:00 p.m.
Tri-Cities Higher Ed Center, Portsmouth
18 participants (15 slots left)

Web Design
August 11-15
12:30 p.m.—5:00 p.m.
Tri-Cities Higher Ed Center, Portsmouth
18 participants

Networking
August 4-8
12:30 p.m.—5:00 p.m.
Tri-Cities Higher Ed Center, Portsmouth
18 participants (16 slots left)

Diabetic Foot Care

Lecture series coming up Thursday, April 24th, 2008 on "Diabetic Foot Care." This lecture will take place at the Bon Secours Health Center at Virginia Beach. Please see the attached flier for information, map, times, etc. Feel free to pass this information on to others.

VB CITY PUB SCHOOLS TOWN HALL MEETING

The VBPS are embarking upon a comprehensive strategic planning process that we are calling “Compass to 2015: A Strategic Plan for Student Success.”

As a member of our community and supporter of high-quality education, we invite you to participate in a Town Hall Meeting to discuss issues, challenges and priorities that we as a community need to address in order to insure greater success for our students and district in the future.

The Town Hall Meeting will be held on Tuesday April 15, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Registration and welcome reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. Other details are noted in the invitation at the top of page. Please RSVP to Virginia Nibarger at 263-1177 or e-mail virginiaw.nibarger@vbschools.com by Thursday, April 10 if you plan to attend. We encourage you to invite other members of the community or in your organization to attend as well.