THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 18, 1995 TAG: 9505180903
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 228 lines
THOUSANDS WILL MISS HIM
Clarence E. Carr, the retired starter at Sewells Point Golf Club, died May 3.
Everyone who knew Clarence Carr will mourn his death. He was one of the finest gentlemen I have ever known.
I first met Clarence Carr in the early 1930s when I used to caddy for Dr. Jett McCormick for 25 cents for nine holes at the old Norfolk Golf Club. Clarence and I shared a friendship that extended from the early 1930s to his death.
He was not just the starter at the golf club, he was also the matchmaker, the assistant professional, the golf shop manager and the caddy master. Additionally, he was an excellent golfer and teacher.
Until 1975 Sewells Point Golf Club was operated as the Commissioned Officers Golf Club. Clarence had the responsibility of keeping ensigns to four-star admirals happy with their golfing requirements. He was a supreme diplomat. So successful was he in his multiple assignments that at a retirement party for him the commandant of the Fifth Naval District awarded him free lifetime playing privileges at the Sewells Point Golf Club.
Although Clarence and I had known each other since boyhood, he always insisted on calling me by my official Navy rank long after I had retired from active duty. He said protocol demanded it.
Never have I known a more respectful, loyal and dedicated public servant. He had a photographic memory. He never forgot a face or a name. His friends were numbered in the thousands, officers and civilians alike who played golf during his employment.
Clarence Carr has gone on to a land of eternal fairways. He will always be most fondly remembered by his host of friends who owe him a debt of gratitude for his gracious efforts to make their game of golf as pleasant as possible.
Berry D. Willis Jr.
Commander, USNR (Ret.)
Brandon Avenue
MAYOR REPLIES ON SCHOOLS
I want to thank Eugene D. Nance for his letter of April 4, 1995, outlining his concerns for our children at Bay View Elementary School. City Council and city staff have been diligently working to propose allocations of both Operating Budget and Capital Budget funds in the best interest of all our children as contained in the Proposed FY-96 through FY-2000 Capital Improvement Program issued April 25, 1995.
The City Council CIP Committee, of which I am a member, and representatives of the School Board, including Chairman Turner, have worked to allocate the CIP funding committed to our schools in the most efficient and effective manner. Both the City Council and the School Board are committed to renovating or replacing those schools that, like Bay View Elementary, are in need of repair. City Council has reviewed our schools' needs very carefully and has accepted the prioritized recommendations of the School Board.
Based on the School Board's recommendations, it has been recommended that the city's current five-year commitment for schools investment will be increased by $3,500,000 to $31,000,000 for the period FY-1995 and FY-1999. Additionally, the increased capital commitment from the city allows the schools to allocate operating funds for air-conditioning schools. Based on the current schedule, these air-conditioning projects will be completed by the summer of 1997.
The FY-96 Schools CIP is proposed at $13,980,000. The long-awaited Granby High School renovation and the design for both the Bay View and Taylor elementary school renovations are included in FY-96 funding. You are correct that the Bay View School improvements are currently scheduled for FY-98, with $3,500,000 included for the construction costs for the Bay View renovation. Again, however, immediate design funds for these improvements are provided in the proposed FY-96 CIP Budget.
City Council's recognition of the urgency of the capital needs of many of our educational facilities is demonstrated by the fact that the schools' portion of the General Capital FY-96 CIP is 31.89 percent of the total $43,832,000. The General Capital projects include other important city priorities such as (1) conservation, redevelopment, recreation and enhancement of Norfolk neighborhoods; (2) neighborhood street and bridge improvements; (3) improvements to neighborhood commercial areas; (4) public safety infrastructure improvements; (5) compliance with federal and state mandates for the Americans With Disabilities Act, air quality, etc.; and (6) development of the Norfolk campus for Tidewater Community College.
As I am sure you are aware, the city and Norfolk Public Schools face a difficult task in meeting the demands of educating our youth. An important aspect of these demands is the physical environment in which this education occurs. In conjunction with the Norfolk Public Schools, we work very hard to best meet the needs of our students. The School Board prioritizes capital educational needs based on the funding level that the city is able to provide. This prioritizing reflects the most pressing educational needs of our students.
I appreciate your concern and hope that I have addressed your concerns satisfactorily. Please feel free to contact me should you desire any additional information on the city's goal of providing an improved environment for our residents and especially our children.
Paul D. Fraim
Mayor
A HAPPY BUSINESS OWNER
I must commend all of the people of City Hall in Norfolk, and I never believed I would be able to do this, but, I can.
I recently renovated our family owned business from a ``feed store'' into a farmers' market. I met with the zoning department and others concerning my decision to remain in Norfolk and undertake this project to provide Norfolk and surrounding cities with a real ``old-fashioned,'' back-to-basics country store, lawn and garden, and farmers' market with local produce. I was skeptical and scared to face the inspectors and codes. But, I must quickly admit that I now see I had no need to fear them.
I was greeted warmly by each department head, we were treated very kind and respected by each inspector, and I must truly admit that the full six-month renovation on a building erected in 1908 was a sincere pleasure.
I must commend each inspector, each department head and the city manager and mayor for giving a country boy, in a country business, a very kind and fair relationship in a very complex transition.
Lee Carey Jr.
President of Carey's Farmers Market
Virginia Beach Boulevard
SEARCHING FOR HER SISTERS
This is a desperate plea to locate my long-lost sisters, whom I have not seen in 20 years.
I am originally from Norfolk. My sisters have a different mother. Each time I have visited my mother, who resides in Norfolk, I have tried to find them. I even went to the Tidewater Park office to see if their mother still resided there. But that information could not be released.
With the help of my father, I have compiled some information. Their mother's name is Helen Barbara Lee, whose last known address was Tidewater Park. Ms. Lee's last known employer was Norfolk General Hospital from 1972-1973 as an occupational nurse or nurse's aide. Ms. Lee's parents were Will and Clee Morning. My sisters' names are Linda Lee and Elsie Lee. Both may be married now. Their ages should be 33 and 34. We attended Ruffner Junior High and Booker T. Washington High. They should have graduated in 1979 and 1980.
I believe one or both of my sisters attended Norfolk State University, at that time Norfolk State College. Our father's name is Jesse James Spencer, originally from Engelhard, N.C. He left Norfolk in the late '60s. Our family is incomplete without them. We have other siblings: Hilda, who's 42; Bernice, who's 41, Maggie, 40; myself, 34; Linda Marie, 33; Jesse Jr., 29. We just want to say we love you and want to be united with you to complete our family.
I have been searching for 10-plus years and will never give up. If anyone can help, please write Debora Spencer Murray, 1212 Redbanks Road, Apartment C-4, Greenville, N.C. 27858.
Debora S. Murray
Greenville, N.C.
`DEPUTY BOB' SAYS THANKs
During the 1994-95 school year, I had the privilege and opportunity to deliver crime prevention programs to the following Norfolk schools as a ventriloquist for the Norfolk Sheriff's Office:
Norfolk Christian (Middle School), Ruffner Middle School, Willard Model School, Little Creek Elementary School, Camp Allen Elementary School, Sewells Point Elementary School, St. Pius, Chesterfield Heights, Oceanair Elementary (Oasis); St. Helena Elementary, Suburban Park Elementary, Roberts Park Elementary, Lindenwood Elementary, Camp E.W. Young, Fairlawn Elementary, Willoughby Elementary, Jacox Elementary, Coleman Place Elementary, Bowling Park Elementary, Poplar Halls Elementary, Ingleside Elementary, Larrymore Elementary, Young Park Elementary, Larchmont Elementary, Lafayette-Winona Middle, Norfolk Christian (Lower), James Monroe Elementary, Northside Middle, Granby Elementary, Taylor Elementary and Tidewater Park Elementary.
Thank you, Dr. Nichols, Dr. Lockamy, principals, teachers, and students for a fun time of learning.
Bob Walsh
Ventriloquist ``Deputy Bob''
East Randall Avenue
WHAT A BUNCH OF GARBAGE
Remember the days before mechanical trash pickup? When all of your trash was picked up each week in whatever container you set it out in? When you didn't find pink violation tags on the illegal cardboard box you set out by your can because you didn't call before trash day for an appointment with the other trash truck that drives by anyway to pick up the pre-approved trash?
I never thought it would come to this. I recently called to reserve space on the trash truck for the trash I anticipated wouldn't fit in my city-allotted trash can next week. First I was asked the general identity of my trash - old catalogs and journals. How did I intend to curb this trash? In cardboard boxes. Sorry, cardboard boxes had to be flattened for pickup. How can I get my journals in a flattened box, I queried.
After being put on hold three times, I was connected to the head trash adviser, who told me I couldn't use boxes - they fell apart in the rain. I patiently explained that for 13 years I've discarded my journals in cardboard boxes, successfully avoiding rain damage. I thought it was a useful way to discard both boxes and catalogs while keeping the weight down to a safe limit.
Sorry, I have to put them in a trash can in a plastic bag, but the trash can can be non-city approved. I asked what purpose the plastic bag served other than add to the landfill. OK, just put it in a trash can, but each can can't weigh more than 50 pounds.
Soon we may see otherwise law-abiding Norfolk citizens late at night, scurrying from trash can to trash can throughout the neighborhood, stuffing a few catalogs here, an unmarked bag of trash here. Or they may give up entirely and chuck bagloads from a speeding car along I-264.
Wendy Pocklington Parker
Graydon Avenue
NORFOLK LOSING A RESOURCE
Headline: Hamler signs to coach Elizabeth City State University basketball team. A second headline: Norfolk kids lost a friend and mentor who walked the talk with them every day.
Barry Hamler, departing head boys basketball coach, was part of the scene in Booker T. Washington High School and Tidewater basketball. I consider Barry a valued friend. He was under-appreciated in the Norfolk area. He wasn't reserved along the sidelines and was pure theater when it came to coaching. He won games and brought home the bacon for Norfolk. His tantrums are legendary. Just ask Rich Radford of The Virginian-Pilot or the Tidewater referees association.
But I will tell you this, his unselfish efforts on behalf of children are going to be missed by the kids of Booker T. Washington who Barry helped daily. He made the Tidewater Basketball Classic legendary, not the executives at Tymark Burger King. The classic was a grassroots effort helping showcase kids, but it also showcased the resolve Barry had for the kids of Tidewater Virginia and kids in general.
We at Making A Difference will miss him because his dedication brought kids to us every Thursday night for academic help and a gateway to college. Between us we sent his seniors to college each year. Barry tutored them and mentored them at every turn, teaching them about life and to value hard work and succeeding in school.
Many a kid was pulled up from the street by Barry. Rashaan White never played his senior year but Barry applauded and encouraged him all the way into Penn State University. Barry's antics are far overshadowed by trips to Alaska and Florida where kids could see more than Young Terrace.
If there are no more classics or trips or mentoring sessions, those of you in Norfolk and the whole area can look south because the Elizabeth City area will have it all because Barry Hamler will be a treasure wherever he works.
We all wish you well, Barry, and will gladly put forth an effort for kids in North Carolina. You are one of us, and we are proud of you.
Robert Booulinsk
Making A Difference Foundation
Virginia Beach by CNB