THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 1, 1996 TAG: 9602010164
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 206 lines
I attended the special City Council meeting Jan. 24, regarding the reuse plan for the former Driver Transmitter Station. It was developed by a consulting firm after three meetings to solicit public input on future uses.
A recommended plan, presented to the Planning Commission in November and to City Council in December, included expanding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge along the Nansemond River, an environmental education facility by Old Dominion University, and a public park with ball fields and a boat ramp. It also included a smaller front area for unspecified high-intensity use.
The consultant did not recommend inclusion of the Youth Entertainment Studios (YES) for a residential training facility for students preparing for careers in the film and video industry.
When YES appeared before the Planning Commission, no concrete plans were given other than for a film studio/back-lot concept with a residential facility to house 50 to 100 students (or more) for summer programs, on 50 acres. The organization had no credentials other than having run a small summer program at Hampton University and the support of Regent University.
As a member of the Planning Commission, I moved for approval of the plan without the YES facility, and the motion carried. My rationale was as follows:
The residential facility and studio were a high-intensity use not compatible with the other proposed uses.
No information was presented as to where funds were to be found to construct and maintain the facility, or concerning the faculty and how they were to be paid. One of my concerns was that Suffolk taxpayers could be left holding the bag.
Construction of a dorm to house 100 or more students that would be used for only three weeks or even three months of the year doesn't seem practical. Is this some other camel sneaking his nose under the tent? Will we be faced with some other proposed uses at some later date?
Sewer lines would have to be run to support this proposed use; the others don't require them.
At the Jan. 24 meeting, Councilmen Milteer, Brown and Harris strongly supported the inclusion of YES without answering or addressing any of the above concerns.
Councilman Harris so much as said that if the other members of council did not support the inclusion of YES, they were prejudiced against the black community. I greatly resent such an implication, and so should every member of City Council. I strongly object to such implied blackmail.
We all know that Councilman Harris is up for re-election, and this appears to me a blatant attempt by Mr. Harris to win votes - nothing to do with integrity, what's best for the city or what makes good common sense.
Your City Council voted unanimously to have the consultant meet again with all interested parties to determine if they could accommodate YES. This will cost the taxpaying citizens of Suffolk another $12,000 to $15,000.
Only Councilwoman Rogers ever raised the question, ``Where does the money come from?'' The answer, my friends, is from our pockets. This is just another example of mediocrity in action!
E. Brian Pritchard
Kingsway Court
Suffolk If YES gets property, does Suffolk get bills?
For a year or more, the U.S. Government has been stripping the former Driver Transmitter site, with plans to dispose of it.
The City of Suffolk has been out front to get most of this valuable land. Several other groups want parts of it, including the Virginia Wildlife Federation, Old Dominion University and recreation groups in Suffolk. A group that wants 50 acres and all the buildings it can get is YES, from Pat Robertson's Regent University. Robertson's connection to Regent should have been told at the public hearings.
When groups come before council, the true owners should be revealed. This S. Harry Young doesn't do that. He doesn't own YES. It belongs to Regent University.
I don't know why Councilman Brown made this a race issue unless it was planned that way. I have not heard color mentioned.
In the meeting, the people who attended were solid against a housing project. Now this YES group wants to build dormitories, television studios, etc., for several hundred at-risk youths from all over the country.
This property joins mine, so I am concerned. What kind of youth are they? How old? Color does not concern me. They can be real mean at any age or color.
If these groups get what they want, what will the city get? Just a lot of bills to pay. I wish the Navy would decide to keep it.
If Pat Robertson wants to come into Suffolk, let him buy 50 acres. He has plenty of money.
Sam L. Callis
Sleepy Hole Road
Suffolk Nansemond River project will help guide future
Recently, The Virginian-Pilot published an editorial praising the members of the Elizabeth River Project for their efforts to restore the environmental health of the Elizabeth River. I'm glad to see the project receiving the attention and praise it deserves.
As recounted in the editorial, the Elizabeth River Project grew out of meetings between a few local residents four years ago. Those initial members enlisted community leaders and many others - from environmental groups to shipyards to the local universities - to study the environmental risks facing the river and devise ways to address the problem. From its inception as a grass-roots organization of just four members, the Elizabeth River Project now includes a 120-member Watershed Action Team representing citizen groups, business, government and science.
It should serve as a prototype for other communities trying to find answers to complex problems and to build a consensus around solutions. It's not often that so many diverse interests, in this case residents of four different cities, can unite behind a common goal. The people of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach realize what an important economic artery the Elizabeth River has become. Our area's future, sink or swim, depends on maintaining the viability of this and all our waterways.
I'm proud to be a part of the Elizabeth River clean-up effort. A good friend of mine, Roland Culpepper of Chesapeake, first brought it to my attention a few years ago. Roland is a civilian employee of the Army Corps of Engineers for the Norfolk District. I've found his diligence on behalf of the Hampton Roads community typical of the civil servants who live and work in our area.
As a result of those early discussions, I worked closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to have Congress authorize the funds necessary to perform an environmental study. Last fall, I was able to secure funding for the project through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the House of Representatives. Those funds will enable the Army Corps of Engineers to build on the good work the Elizabeth River Project's team has already done. I intend to continue my work with the project as a member of the Leadership Review Board.
Improving our water quality today is especially important, considering the expansion this area is projected to undergo in the future. Hampton Roads is already the fastest growing part of the state. The city of Suffolk is projected to be the next sector to expand. That's why, when the Army Corps of Engineers came to me for help on another project, one to improve the Nansemond River Basin in Suffolk, I was glad to respond.
The Nansemond project will provide a comprehensive watershed planning and management plan for the Nansemond River Basin. From this study, the Army Corps of Engineers hopes to find answers to the interrelated problems of water conservation, water control, water resources development, wetland protection and environmental restoration. It's another step toward improving our waterways throughout Hampton Roads and planning together for the future of our area.
Thanks to the Navy and the Virginia Port Authority, Hampton Roads is a major metropolitan area and one of the most active ports on the East Coast. Preserving and improving our waterways helps the value of our real estate and redevelopment efforts, and recognizes the long-term economic, recreational, health and safety needs of this growing area. I am glad to be of assistance in these worthwhile endeavors, and my door remains open to all those with ideas that will benefit the quality of life of our families.
Norman Sisisky
Member of Congress
4th District Ignoring speed limit invites more heartache
I am writing to you to express the outrage I feel over a recent tragedy my family had to endure.
My husband and I live on a country road where many drivers knowingly exceed the speed limit. Last Saturday afternoon, my husband and one of our family pets were out in the yard as one of these drivers came by. Unfortunately, our pet darted into the road and was struck and killed by the vehicle. The driver made no attempt to slow down, swerve or stop. In fact, this person sped off at an increased rate of speed after the incident.
My point in writing this letter is to hopefully prevent this type of injustice from happening to another family. Doesn't this gutless driver know that simply by stopping and offering to help or offering an apology would have at least eased our pain a little, not to mention that it is the decent thing to do? Instead, we were left to deal with this tragedy alone as our feelings of anger mounted.
We will never be able to regain our loss, but maybe some good can come from it. If you're ever involved in an accident with someone's pet, please do what any decent person would do. Stop and try to offer your assistance.
Our dog, Bubba, was a loyal and much loved family member. He is greatly missed.
Chris Beale
Willie Roberts Road
Windsor Vice Mayor Milteer will get their votes
We feel very fortunate as a civic league to have Curtis Milteer as our councilman. He has shared our concerns in the Whaleyville Borough while contributing to the total well-being of our city.
Vice Mayor Milteer is dedicated to the highest ideals and purposes of a public servant. We are confident he will continue to improve the quality of life for every citizen in our city.
With a deep sense of appreciation, we, the Whaleyville Civic League, wholeheartedly support Curtis Milteer as our councilman for the next four years.
Elbernia C. Lee
Whaleyville Civic League
Suffolk
City vehicle decal
should be issued for free
What's wrong with this picture? A Virginia resident pays hundreds of dollars in personal property tax for the right to purchase a decal. It seems more than logical that, once the property tax bill is paid, the vehicular sticker should be issued as proof of payment.
Perhaps each $20 fee I pay in the city of Suffolk covers the cost of production. It looks like a 50-cent piece of plastic film to me.
For lawyers wishing to restore their collective good name: How about starting a class action suit seeking restitution against each municipality for this thievery?
LaMont Adger
Quaker Drive
Suffolk by CNB