Colonial Place/Riverview Civic League
COMMUNITY NEWS
Guest Speaker, Mr. Wade Witham of the Norfolk Department of Utilities, At This Month's Meeting
NEXT BOARD MEETING will be Monday, May 15, 2006, at 7:00 pm.
DEADLINE for the June issue is Tuesday, May 23, 2006.
THIS MONTH'S MEETING AGENDA: Monthly police report - Code enforcement update - Mr. Wade Witham of the Norfolk Department of Utilities speaking on the upcoming sewer upgrades for CPRV - Refreshments from Cornerstone Bakery.
Controversy. Controversy. Controversy. Well, it at least gets people thinking and interacting. Do we strictly enforce our by-laws that limit voting to paid members of the Civic League or do we let any resident of CPRV vote on issues? How do we identify residents from non-residents? I have been rightly criticized for not checking to ensure voters are members. Why have I allowed this? A reason is that we have limited time at meetings and I did not want to take up time with administrative functions. But mainly, a Civic League provides a forum to get citizen input. City boards and commissions rely on league input as part of their decision-making process. You should not have to pay money to have your voice heard. Also, and perhaps my impression is incorrect, but the votes have not been close and we have non-dues payers voting on both sides. This past month we had a special meeting on the Lafayette Point Condo project. During the voting, a member questioned whether all voters were paid members. But in this instance as in other instances, there were voters on both sides that were not dues-payers and the vote was not close. If I remember my numbers right, it was about 32 in favor and 10 opposed. Shouldn’t all residents have a voice? Luckily our league is financially strong and does not need to make dues paying a priority. If the members desire, the Lafayette-Winona Civic League has a procedure that works well. As you come in the door, members that are current on their dues receive a green card that they hold up during votes. These cards are collected at the end of the meeting.
There has been an undercurrent to many discussions on the listserv since the CPRV League meeting at which we voted on the McDonald Montessori school request for a zoning exception in order that the school could locate in Riverview Village. The implications are: Riverview residents voted against the exception; Colonial Place residents voted in favor; and also that many of the non-resident attendees at the meeting that were pro-school voted. We all perceive events differently. Unfortunately, at the last moment, we had to move the venue to Enrico's relatively small meeting room. In this crowded environment, I attempted to give all sides of the issue an opportunity to speak. As I remember, there were Riverview advocates for the school as well as Riverview advocates against the school. Even some of the residents that reside closest to the proposed location for the school expressed support. When we voted, I asked all the non-residents to refrain from voting and I believe all did. The vote in favor of granting the exception was not close. I have no way of knowing what a vote of just Riverview residents would have revealed. When I presented the results of the vote to the Planning Commission, I expressed the concerns of residents that voted against the exception.
I used the lines "Don't Complain, Campaign" and "You can't Complain unless your willing to Campaign" in my campaign for City Council. If you do not like the administration of the Civic League, please contact the Nomination Committee prior to our May meeting and put your name on the ballot for our June elections. I did not volunteer for civic league office four years ago because I had nothing better to do or that being an officer gives me an ego trip. I felt and continue to feel that I have a personal obligation to try to make life better for my fellow citizens.
Forget the advice your parents gave you, for May’s CPRV Civic League meeting we want your mind in the gutter. Well, actually, we want your mind considering all manner of things related to gutters, sewers, waste disposal and storm water run-off. Please join us on Monday, May 8th at 7:00 P.M. at Stuart Center School as we engage in a presentation from Mr. Wade Witham of the Norfolk Department of Utilities. Mr. Witham will discuss upcoming sewer upgrade projects for the CPRV community. In addition to Mr. Witham’s presentation and the regular business of the CPRV Civic League, we will enjoy refreshments from the Cornerstone Bakery on 41st Street. We would like to thank Christie Angelson & Shasta Robertson of Cornerstone Bakery for approaching us with this offer. See you at the May meeting.
We have been fortunate to have a volunteer to put dog characters on the fence around the dog park. Her name is Lynn Hembre & she is a professional dog portrait artist. She lives on New Jersey Ave. She & her father will be doing the work to bring this project to completion so that our park will really look like a doggy playground. Anyone who would like to contribute money to pay for the materials can send their contributions to the CPRV Civic League, in care of the DOG PARK, PO Box 6130, Norfolk, Va. 23508. We have also been told that our own president, Andy Wallach, & Jack Kennedy, will soon be starting the platform to go under the information kiosk (as soon as the election is over). And, finally, thank you to everyone who has donated their newspaper covers for us to use as "poop" bags. Anyone who wants to contribute their newspaper bags can drop them off on my front porch at 4213 Gosnold Ave. They will be put to good use.
The Southland Corporation representative slated to attend the April 24 Crime Prevention Committee meeting did not appear. We will attempt to schedule a Southland representative for the May 22 committee meeting, and review the situation with the newly elected CPRV Civic League officers.
You know, normally I would say April is the big sigh of relief month when we can finally say the threat of winter is gone and it’s time to get outdoors, but this winter was so mild it hardly seems fair to talk bad about it. So winter 2005/06 is off the hook but it is time to plan ahead and pay the price for such a mild and dry winter. This means an increase in garden pests, stressed plants from lack of moisture, a difficult starting season for new plants and a higher pollen count. Unfortunately, we are limited as to what we can do about the aforementioned conditions but we can prepare. Keep a close eye on your established plantings for signs of stress, stunted growth, curled leaves or parasites and spray accordingly. The products on the market are too numerous to mention here but we at Tanners Creek advocate the organic approach as much as possible. To give your new bedding plants or annuals a good start, do not plant till the soil is warm. The frost date is April 15th but with the mild winter, I think we can plant a little earlier this year. Keep the new plants watered well for the first few weeks and mulch heavily to keep in the moisture. We are under drought conditions right now, so water wisely and only when absolutely needed. Do not water in the middle of the day when there is more evaporation. Morning or evening is best. And don’t forget your dogs and cats. Fleas and ticks will be a big issue this year!
If I may, I would like to take this time to promote your neighborhood Garden Center and new Creekside Café where I work at 110 La Valette Ave right behind the 7-Eleven on Granby Street. I invite you all to come and check out the new digs and hang out with us. This is not your average Garden Center! We have specialty plants, a charming Café, a Gardening Research area with comfortable seating, free wireless internet connection, a beautiful display garden and 2 ponds! And best of all, your purchase goes toward helping employ adults with disabilities through Eggleston Services! Call 625-2044 for more information.
In case you missed it in the April newsletter, the Colonial Place and Riverview of yesteryear will soon be captured in a commemorative pictorial history book. The 72-page hardcover retrospective, to be published in time for the 2006 holiday season, will include 90 black and white photos and a dozen color shots. And we need your help to make this project a success. If you're sitting on a treasure trove of family photos which include CPRV settings, or, if you were fortunate enough to acquire photos of your home at the time of purchase--we'd love to include them. No photos? Perhaps you've lived in one of these two wonderful neighborhoods for many years and have collected engaging stories of historical value to share. If so, please contact co-authors, Sue VanHecke (sweetgene@aol.com) or Artemis Stoll (feta2@verizon.net). Thanks in advance!.
Please join me in welcoming Ms. Mary Hormell as a Co-Newsletter Distribution Guru who will be serving along side of Mr. Buddy Petzinger. Mary and Buddy need your help. They are seeking volunteers who would be willing to deliver newsletters to the 400 block of Maryland Avenue and/or the 500 block of New Jersey. Please contact Buddy at 622-0233 or Mary at 627-2392 if you 30 minutes to spare once a month to help our neighborhood.
As a residential appraiser for the past twelve years, I have been in hundreds of homes. While I inspect their home, clients love to show off their remodeled kitchens, bathrooms and family room additions with pride. Many have been satisfied with their contractors. Some clients, on the other hand, show me the half completed jobs and the poor quality work. Just a couple of highlights: One couple had hired their minister, who was also a contractor. They paid him 50% of the money up front (thousands of dollars) to renovate their kitchen. He came in, ripped out everything and never came back. Not only did they have to live over two years with a shell of a kitchen but they had to find another church! Another contractor left a hole in a bathroom floor and never came back. The homeowner couldn’t find anyone to take on such a small job. One couple was promised a two to three week turnaround time to complete their bathroom remodeling job. Now in its eleventh week they have had to use their friends’ shower for most of that time.
The typical complaints are: “He took my money and never came back;” “He juggled my job among others and would be gone for days;” “I took the day off from work and the guy never showed up;” “The quality of work was so bad that there were more problems after they finished.” The list goes on. Unfortunately we all have our contractor nightmare stories, my husband and I included. After we experienced some quality contractors, you will be glad to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel…a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow (which you’ll need for paying the bills). So once you decide on what project you want done, try following these recommendations:
Virginia Natural Gas is beginning a major pipeline renovation project in the Colonial Place neighborhood starting in April 2006. The work is being done to upgrade our gas distribution system. This replacement will greatly minimize future maintenance and provide better service to you, our customer. There will be no cost to our current customers. The upgrade of our mains and services in your area will be performed by Benton-Georgia, which is an authorized contractor for VNG. The VNG contacts for this project are Mr. Jeff Duffer at (757) 466-5476 or Mr. Kevin Starke at (757) 616-7529. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this work, please contact one of them.
Officer Deborah Michielson at Norfolk Animal Protection urges residents to comply with our local city codes concerning their animals. Dogs and cats are NOT permitted to roam off of your property and must be on a leash. Animal feces are to be picked up and removed in a sanitary manner by the pet's owner. Your cooperation protects your neighbors, keeps our landscapes clean, and your pet safe. Concerns may be directed to 757-664-PETS or email at deborah.michielson@norfolk.gov.
When using outdoor fire pits (you know, those backyard cauldron shaped pseudo-fireplaces), the Norfolk Fire Marshal's Office asks that a responsible adult is present to supervise its use and that a minimum 5 foot clearance from all combustibles is maintained. Additionally, please note that leaves, trash or other debris is NOT permitted for burning. If there is a complaint from neighbors or nearby residents of offensive odors, the Fire Marshal may require that the fire be extinguished. Any questions or concerns may be directed to Captain S. F. Carter, Deputy Fire Marshal at 757-664-6604.
Monday, May 8th, 2006
2:15 p.m. - Senior’s Bowling Club - Contact 441-2109
7:00 p.m. - Civic League Meeting - Stuart Center
Tuesday, May 9th, 2006
7:00 p.m. - ODU Baseball - Contact 683-5484
Wednesday, May 10th, 2006
10:00 a.m. - CPRV Childrens Playgroup - Contact 624-6810
11:00 a.m. - 60+ Club - Oceanview Senior Center
Friday, May 12th, 2006
10:30 a.m. - Square Dancing - Oceanview Senior Center
Sunday, May 14th, 2006
7:30 p.m. - Virginia Beach Mariners Soccer - Contact 430-9800
Monday, May 15th, 2006
2:15 p.m. - Senior’s Bowling Club - Contact 441-2109
Tuesday, May 16th, 2006
6:00 p.m. - ODU Baseball - Contact 683-5484
Wednesday, May 17th, 2006
10:00 a.m. - CPRV Childrens Playgroup - Contact 624-6810
11:00 a.m. - 60+ Club - Oceanview Senior Center
Friday, May 19th, 2006
10:30 a.m. - Square Dancing - Oceanview Senior Center
Monday, May 22nd, 2006
2:15 p.m. - Senior’s Bowling Club - Contact 441-2109
6:30 p.m. - Crime Prevention Meeting - Stuart Center
Wednesday, May 24th, 2006
10:00 a.m. - CPRV Childrens Playgroup - Contact 624-6810
11:00 a.m. - 60+ Club - Oceanview Senior Center
Friday, May 26th, 2006
10:30 a.m. - Square Dancing - Oceanview Senior Center
Saturday, May 27th, 2006
8:00 p.m. - Virginia Beach Mariners Soccer - Contact 430-9800
Monday, May 29th, 2006
2:15 p.m. - Senior’s Bowling Club - Contact 441-2109
Wednesday, May 31st, 2006
10:00 a.m. - CPRV Childrens Playgroup - Contact 624-6810
11:00 a.m. - 60+ Club - Oceanview Senior Center
(Dates and Times subject to change without notice
Consult your local periodicals for additional information, costs and updates)
Board Meetings are held on the Third Monday each month. These meetings are open to anyone. For more information contact the CPRV President.
The Colonial Place/Riverview Civic League
P.O. Box 6130
Norfolk, VA 23508
E-MAIL: president@cprv.org (checked weekly)
WEB PAGE: www.cprv.org
Community News Editor: Joe Rivas, Phone 277-2822
Community News Distribution: Buddy Petzinger, Phone 622-0233 and Mary Hormell, Phone 627-2392
Advertising: Joe Rivas, Phone 277-2822
Please deliver typewritten newsletter items to:
Joe Rivas
Phone: 277-2822
e-mail: cprvnews@gmail.com