THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 1996 TAG: 9606210015
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 57 lines
Asked what they like about their city, the more-than-400 Norfolk residents who, at the invitation of City Hall, assembled recently at Lake Taylor High School for a community ``visioning'' exercise listed, among other attributes:
Recreational programs for youngsters.
Affordable cultural and entertainment options.
Continuity and creativity of civic leadership.
The increasing citizen-City Hall dialogue.
Public schools.
Diverse population.
Dynamism and progress.
Geographic location (at the center of Hampton Roads and at the midpoint of the East Coast).
Small-town atmosphere, historic character and distinctiveness of neighborhoods and the city at large.
PACE (the Police Assisted Community Enforcement program).
The U.S. Navy presence.
Asked what Norfolk needs to become a better place in which to live, work and rear children, participants listed, among other things:
More well-paid jobs.
Greater authority for teachers to improve discipline in the schools and end classroom disruptions by unruly students.
After-school youth programs at schools.
Improved public transportation.
Accelerated property-code enforcement to check blight.
Cleaner streets.
More regional cooperation.
More tourism.
More interracial conversation and activities to promote harmony.
Still more grass-roots involvement in municipal decision-making.
The community-visioning participants had the ear of City Council members present for the occasion and gave the session high marks when the day ended. Most of what conferees wish for seems attainable to varying degree, with improved public transit and more well-paid jobs presenting the toughest challenges.
Well-paid jobs are offered by industries seeking workers with skills that are in high demand. Norfolk would love to bring in more such industries - the city's average household income is the second lowest in South Hampton Roads.
But if Norfolk is to snag businesses that pay employees well, it must be able to provide workers with required skills. That's true throughout Hampton Roads, and it ought not to be an insurmountable challenge.
The U.S. Navy, which looms larger and larger in Hampton Roads, and the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force train uniformed personnel in skills valuable to industry.
And the region abounds in colleges and universities - from Regent University to the College of William & Mary - that are equipping students with skills much needed in the workplace. Hampton Roads has got many low-paying jobs. But it is not in the middle of nowhere. So we should go, go, go after those better jobs. by CNB