THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 7, 1996 TAG: 9607040241
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 72 lines
Following are the remarks of Mayor William E. Ward, made during an organizational meeting of the City Council Monday. Ward was sworn in as mayor, and John W. Butt was chosen by fellow councilmen to serve as vice mayor, a position he also held from 1990 to 1994.
We embark on another term tonight, one which will carry us to the 21st century. Today, the city is fiscally strong, experiencing unparalleled economic growth and prosperity, safe neighborhoods, a high quality of life, good schools and rapidly becoming the commercial center of Hampton Roads.
Yet, we cannot rest on our laurels, but must address the unfinished business before us. I appeal to you, my council colleagues, to join me in addressing several areas of concern in the very near future.
First, it is time to adopt an affirmative action plan for the revitalization of South Norfolk and old Crestwood. I propose that a public-private South Norfolk Empowerment Corporation be established. This would provide the mechanism for job creation, land reclamation, revitalization and home ownership in that community.
Next, I urge council to endorse a plan directing the manager and Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority to undergo a study of old Crestwood and presenting council with recommendations for land reclamation and development of that area of the city. To do otherwise would allow further deterioration in a long neglected community.
Thirdly, we will continue to provide safe neighborhoods for all of our citizens. With your support, I hereby direct the city manager and the chief of police to identify neighborhoods that are at risk and provide council with a Safe Neighborhood Master Plan by the end of summer. Included in that report should be a strategy or plan for a Gang Task Force. Preventive steps are necessary before we are faced with the youth problems of other cities.
The city's prosperity is due in part to the outstanding work of the Economic Development Department. The successes in attracting new businesses to Chesapeake is a testament to the city's high quality of life and an aggressive economic development program. However, if we are to continue our past accomplishments, it will be necessary to increase funding for the Department of Economic Development. Don Goldberg and staff cannot continue to compete in the national and global markets without the financial resources to do so. Our recent trip to Europe convinced me that the efforts to attract investment are becoming more competitive. It is necessary, therefore, that we go to the national and international industrial-commercial centers to tell our story. We cannot wait for them to come to us. Nor can we depend solely on the state and local economic development agencies to tell our story.
Finally, as we attempt to create a community of municipal partners in Hampton Roads, it has become clearer to me in recent weeks that while Chesapeake must remain committed to that effort, regional cooperation through super structures will not work in our best interest when others use history and size as the determinant factors in deciding who gets what. I, and hopefully my council colleagues, will insist on equity, parity and collegiality in all regional organizations. Certainly, there are many other issues which this council must face over the next four years. The selection of the new city manager is a matter of high priority. Once the decision is made on the right person to fill that role, I believe it important for council to hold a retreat with the new manager to establish a framework of goals and objectives for the coming four years.
Mr. Butt, Mr. Duda, Dr. de Triquet, Mr. Edge, Dr. Krasnoff, Mr. Newman, Mr. Parker and Mrs. Thornton, if we are to honor the sacred trust placed in us by the people of Chesapeake, it is imperative that we put aside personal and partisan motivations for the good of the Commonwealth. I resolve tonight to work with each of you and the citizens of this great city to make Chesapeake an even greater city. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by GARY C. KNAPP
Rose M. Ward holds the Bible as her husband, Mayor William E. Ward,
takes his oath of office from Lillie Hart.
John W. Butt moves his nameplate to his new chair as vice mayor. by CNB