THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 31, 1994 TAG: 9407290293
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF HOOTEN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
Felicia W. Jackson is a victim of progress.
Now retired, Jackson taught in the Chesapeake public schools for 35 years. She and her family live on George Washington Highway in Deep Creek.
Jackson has lived all her life - 64 years - at the same address. Her grandfather bought the lot and built the first house. She remembers when her street was known as Deep Creek Boulevard.
At Tuesday's City Council meeting, Jackson learned that she will have to move from the lot that has belonged to her family for three generations.
The council approved a plan to link Shell and Galberry roads at a single traffic light in a historic area of Deep Creek, and Jackson's home is in the way.
Nearby residents have long badgered council members for a traffic signal on George Washington Highway, complaining about traffic snarls on the two-lane road. The congestion is acute where both Shell and Galberry meet George Washington, often creating long waits for residents and school buses wanting to enter the highway from either Shell or Galberry.
The backups are symptomatic of the city's transportation problems: Many of Chesapeake's antiquated, narrow roads can no longer handle the area's burgeoning suburban growth. Public Works director John O'Connor told the council that current traffic volume on George Washington Highway is 24,000 vehicles per day - 14,000 more than the roadway's recommended capacity.
After several months of study and three public hearings on the issue, the city's Public Works Department presented the council with 10 alternatives for realigning Shell and Galberry. Costs for each alternative ranged from $1.4 million to $7.4 million, and would displace anywhere from four to 24 homes.
``No matter which alternative we use, we wind up hurting someone's property,'' O'Connor said.
At Tuesday's meeting, the city's staff recommended a $2.1 million option to council that would widen Galberry to four lanes and displace four homes - including Felicia Jackson's.
Before the vote, council listened carefully as several residents made their final pleas.
``The thought of having to select, settle in, and try to adjust to a new location at this juncture in our lives would impose upon our family inconceivable distress and inconvenience,'' Jackson told the council.
Willardine Jackson Kidd, Jackson's sister-in-law, lives across the street on the other side of George Washington Highway. Kidd said she and her brother's family were unwilling to move.
``The plan would literally take his home and my home away from us,'' Kidd said. ``Shame, shame, shame.''
Others spoke out against the widening of Galberry Road.
``When the people of Deep Creek spoke of a need for traffic control, I don't believe they intended to get traffic expansion,'' said Gale Strickland, who lives on George Washington Highway. ``I believe they were requesting a traffic light in hopes of entering George Washington Highway in a more safe and timely manner.''
``Not once did I hear a citizen request a four-lane mega-highway entering Deep Creek.''
With tears in her eyes, Lottie Scheible of nearby Blanche Drive told the council: ``If it would do any good, I would get on my knees right now and beg you all not to put any more four-lanes into historic Deep Creek.''
``We're not like the people who move next to an airport and then complain about the noise,'' Scheible said. ``(This alternative) will move the airport to our back yards.''
Not every speaker opposed the ``new'' Galberry. Former Chesapeake Councilman Walter Cartwright Jr., who lives on Wesley Road, said it would be ``economic folly'' to fund a realignment without widening Galberry to four lanes.
``Unfortunately, there will be some homes displaced,'' Cartwright said. ``I'm sorry about that. I can certainly empathize with those who will be adversely affected, but that's progress.''
When it came time for the vote, however, council members were hesitant to take action.
``What is the pleasure of council?'' Mayor William E. Ward repeatedly asked.
When no motion came, Ward noted that there was no proposal that would satisfy all the affected residents. But Ward added that he could not support an alternative ``that would force people out of their homes who have been there all their lives and don't want to leave.''
After a prolonged discussion, Councilman W. Joe Newman made a motion to approve the realignment.
``We need to do something,'' Newman said. ``Previous councils have dragged their feet.''
Before a vote was taken, Ward passed the gavel to vice mayor Arthur L. Dwyer and made a motion to postpone the decision for 30 days while the city continued to study possible alternatives.
Councilman John M. de Triquet, however, agreed with Newman that the issue had been delayed long enough.
When the vote finally came, Ward's substitute motion saw the council deadlock 4-4 (Councilman Peter P Duda Jr. was absent). Dwyer then called for a vote on the realignment, which passed on a 6-2 vote.
Ward and Councilman Robert T. Nance Jr. opposed the realignment.
After the meeting, Newman acknowledged the difficulty in making a decision that resulted in people losing their homes.
``It tears me up,'' Newman said, ``but we just needed to alleviate that problem.''
KEYWORDS: CHESAPEAKE CITY COUNCIL ROAD CONSTRUCTION DEEP CREEK AREA
by CNB