Pungo Strawberry Festival, unique community support in rural Virginia Beach (yes, rural)

Hampton Roads' charities use the annual Pungo Strawberry Festival, the 26th celebrated in 2009, to raise money. The Lions Club sells strawberry shortcakes, money they raise to help kids with diabetes. Breast cancer survivors were raffling a Harley to help raise money to find a cure. Crowds in Pungo this Memorial Day weekend were looking for more they strawberries, they're eager to help their community. All proceeds from our Festival are donated to non-profit community and service organizations.


The festival is a family-oriented, wholesome, alcohol-free event. You'll find all the strawberries you can eat - and drink - offered in over 50 different ways, a pie eating contest, continuous entertainment on three stages, a parade, one of the largest carnivals on the east coast, a livestock show and sale, a multi-million dollar military display, pig races, youth art show, and arts and craft booths.


Thanks to Wayne Carter of WVEC.com for his coverage.

photos by Missy Schmidt, Communication Manager for the Hampton Roads Partnership. Being from the rural western side of Virginia and a relative newcomer to the region, finding a wonderful venue that reminds me of home was a wonderful compliment to all that Hampton Roads has to offer.

Visiting Hampton Roads: The Great American Backyard Barbeque

photos and story by Kaitlyn Fohl

This past weekend (May 22-May 24), the boardwalk at the Virginia Beach oceanfront was bustling with excitement. In honor of Memorial Day and the start of summer, people crowded the area to take part in the Great American Backyard Barbeque.


The Great American Backyard Barbeque is a token to delicious food and soulful music. The event pays respect to the roots of American life – pulled pork, sweet country music, and the blues. It’s an event designed with the whole family in mind. The BBQ is brought to residents and visitors alike by Beach Street USA, the events program presented by the City of Virginia Beach, with concerts, festivals, and activities primarily held at the oceanfront resort area.


This year, local vendors lined the boardwalk near the 31st street and 21st street concert arenas. The sweet, smoky smell of roasted barbeque was impossible to resist while enjoying the musical talents of blues artists like Marcia Ball and Roomful of Blues, and country artists like Keith Anderson, Sammy Kershaw, and Jason Michael Carroll.

In addition to fantastic food and music, the boardwalk was also lined with essays written by Advanced Placement U.S. History students at Salem High School. The essays covered historical military events that our country has been a part of over the years. Each essay was printed on a large banner and the banners lined the boardwalk all the way from 17th street to 31st street. This display of patriotism was called the “Heroes Walk”.


To conclude the eventful weekend, fireworks lit up the night sky at ten o’clock on Sunday evening. This colorful demonstration was the perfect way to top off the American Backyard Barbeque. One can only hope next year’s barbeque bash will be just as successful and fun!


Kaitlyn Fohl is a rising sophomore at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech, Go Hokies!) in International Studies and Art. Kaitlyn is a resident of Virginia Beach and completed the Teen Apprenticeship Program at the Contemporary Art Center in 2008. For Summer 2009, Kaitlyn is an intern with the Hampton Roads Partnership covering Arts, Culture, History and Tourism with her own special flair.

Welcome to SmartRegion.org's newest blogger links

Municipal Reference Library Radar is a current awareness blog brought to the Hampton Roads region by the Virginia Beach Public Library.

Virginia Intelligent Transportation Systems is an informational resource dedicated to the advocation and promotion of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in the Commonwealth of Virginia and surrounding region.

SmartRegion.org welcomes other Hampton Roads topical bloggers to link here for the benefit of the entire Hampton Roads region! Please submit to: Contact@HRP.org

Regional Cooperation to End Homelessness

Click here to view the article in a new browser window;
click on "Full" to view full screen;
click on "Download" to download the PDF to your own computer.

The regional cooperation between the cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk and Portsmouth to reduce homelessness in South Hampton Roads was featured as the cover article in the Mar09 issue of Research Works, HUD's Office of Policy, Development and Research newsletter.

The article highlighted the cities' partnership with Virginia Supportive Housing to develop Gosnold Apartments in Norfolk and Cloverleaf Apartments in Virginia Beach, the nation's first two regional housing facilities for homeless single adults.

Gosnold and Cloverleaf each houses 60 formerly homeless single adults and provides residents with supportive services -- health, education, job training and placement.

Research Works is a national publication that links housing research and practice. The complete Mar09 issue of the newsletter may be viewed online at http://www.huduser.org/periodicals/Researchworks.html

Building "Civic Muscle"

Learn how to apply to serve on city boards and commissions at a public forum sponsored by Project Inclusion Leadership Development Program, United Way of South Hampton Roads on Thursday, April 30th, 6:00PM – 8:00PM, at the Norfolk Workforce Development Center, 201 E. Little Creek Road, Norfolk.

The forum agenda includes:

Remarks on Community Service by Bernard Henderson-Senior Deputy Secretary, Commonwealth of VA

Keynote Presentation - Civic Boards & Commissions Panelists:

• Velma McNair, Deputy City Clerk of Chesapeake
• Katherine Glass, City Clerk of Hampton
• Mabel Washington-Jenkins, City Clerk of Newport News
• Shelia Wilder, Deputy City Clerk of Norfolk
• Debra White, City Clerk of Portsmouth
• Erika Dawley, City Clerk of Suffolk
• Ruth Hodges Frasier, City Clerk of Virginia Beach

Moderator: Delores “DeeDee” Gee-TV Show Host: “My Good Lyfe”

Project Inclusion aims to serve as an advocate for inclusion within the community and to build and promote cultural diversity among the United Way member agencies and other non-profit agencies to positively impact the quality of life for others.

Forum Take-Aways:

• Learn which boards have current vacancies in your city.
• Gain an understanding of board application processes.
• Obtain useful tips for gaining board appointments.
  

Refreshments will be served at this free event.

RSVP your attendance to J.R. Locke, Director of Project Inclusion, at 2515 Walmer Avenue Norfolk, VA 23513-2604, ebmincllc@msn.com or call 757-853-8500 ext 134.

MODSIM WORLD 2009

MODSIM WORLD is an International Conference & Exposition for the exchange of modeling & simulation knowledge, research, and technology across industry, government, and academia.

This year's conference, the third annual, focuses on 21st Century Decision-Making: The Art of Modeling & Simulation. Speakers, educational tracks, presentations, and product demonstrations will center on using modeling and simulation tools and practices in emerging & innovative operating environments.

Attendees will learn about new applications and practices and have an opportunity to network with other industry professionals.

October 14-16th at the Virginia Beach Convention Center

For updated information, schedules, and opportunities to take part, visit MODSIM World 2009!

Virginia Beach Mayor delivers his first State of the City Address

by Donna Morris, HRP Executive Vice President

The Honorable Will Sessoms ushered in a new era in Virginia Beach delivering his first State of the City address on March 12th before a packed house at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. He recognized the skilled city staff and council as well as a number of special guests in attendance from around the region and state.

His speech, entitled “Powerful Forces at Work,” challenges us to move forward boldly. “To act, not react,” and “plan strategically, with a focused vision, to improve the lives of our citizens.”

In 2008, Virginia Beach’s economic development efforts created 1,119 new jobs with 18 new business locations and a total of $114 million in capital investment. Despite a worsening economy the city and region have proven to be among the most resilient in the country. Virginia Beach was named one of the top 20 cities in which to start a business and one of the 10 best places to ride out the recession by Forbes magazine.

Mayor Sessoms spent the last few weeks holding small business roundtables and meetings with the city’s major employers to discuss the economic climate. He said all meetings were very positive. He recognized Fortune 600 company AMERIGROUP, as well as a number of international high performance manufacturing companies (one of the city target industry sectors) who chose to locate or expand their businesses in Virginia Beach.

STIHL, Inc. has been in the city since 1974 with its North American headquarters about to expand in the coming year. STIHL currently occupies 1 million sq. ft. and employs 2,100.

Busch Manufacturing, a German company, is one of the largest manufacturers of vacuum pumps, blowers and compressors in the world. Busch Manufacturing is about to invest $10 million in an expansion that will create an additional 50 jobs.

Italian firm Carraro Group specializes in power transmission systems and plans to invest $10 million in its current facility, creating 35 new jobs. Carraro also has plans to produce components for the alternative energy field in Virginia Beach, another area where the city has an opportunity to capitalize.

Mayor Sessoms received applause as he announced that morning the agreement made in which Virginia Beach will buy the Norfolk Southern right of way – the most likely path for Light Rail. Good for the city and good for the region.

He acknowledged the future will bring about some tough choices for both city and school budgets as more than $100 million is projected as a shortfall for fiscal year 2010. To prepare, the city has identified 13 strategic growth areas, several with the help of urban planners and significant public input. Many of these growth areas are directly affected by Light Rail which was identified as the potential “backbone” of the city’s future business growth.

Developments planned in the Northampton/Burton Station and Newtown Road areas provide opportunities to collaborate with Norfolk. “It is in our best interest to work together as a region, and I look forward to enhancing every opportunity we have,” said the Mayor.

Princess Anne Commons is developing into a life science complex with its fast growing athletic, academic and medical villages with the addition of Bon Secours’ 200-bed state-of-the-art hospital. The new hospital will join Operation Smiles’ world headquarters, LifeNet headquarters and TCC’s regional health professions center and Advanced Technology Center.

In keeping with its designation by Men’s Fitness Magazine as one of the fittest cities in the US, Virginia Beach is looking at significant expansions in the Athletic Village, a 230,000 sq. ft. training facility being developed by DLH Sports and the new Virginia Beach Field House, a public-private partnership project adjacent to the Sportsplex that will include indoor artificial turf fields for soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and courts for volleyball and basketball.

Town Center, which brought more than $17 million in taxes to the city’s general fund, is about to move to Phase Four that will bring a new office tower, a third hotel, meeting space, additional apartments and retail. The Laskin Road Gateway leading to the 31 Ocean District also continues to develop.

Adequate transportation is important. Mayor Sessoms stated the region has a transportation plan and “we’ve done a good job of working together to develop it. We support the regional plan wholeheartedly. Now we need the funding and the legislators must hear that message because if we do not have good transportation we lose business and our quality of life will diminish.”

Looking ahead, Mayor Sessoms said the city’s vision includes the need to create more good paying jobs, protect our relationships with the military, be "Green" to ensure a healthy future, continue investing in schools and libraries, keep the community safe, offer rich cultural and recreational opportunities, and invite people to experience Virginia, work together as a community, leverage public money with private investment, end homelessness, and run lean and efficient government services, being responsible stewards of our finances.

“Strength is in our strengths. It takes vision, commitment, and both natural and human resources to achieve these goals. The way to get there is through hard work, inclusion and regional cooperation!”

Leadership During Tough Economic Times

by Donna Morris, Executive Vice President of the Hampton Roads Partnership

“We are absolutely joined at the hip by geography and economy,” said Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim. “Everyday, it becomes more clear that we will weather this economic downturn together or not at all.”

Three distinguished Mayors from Hampton Roads came together to discuss “Leadership During Tough Economic Times” as part of Regent University’s Executive Leadership Series.

The Honorable Paul Fraim, Mayor of Norfolk and a founding member of the Hampton Roads Partnership, began the discussion by sharing a few of the impacts a downturn in the economy will have on his city. He said despite the fact the regional economy is outperforming the nation these will be very challenging times for local governments. The City of Norfolk is looking at a $35 million gap in their operating budget. The Constitution requires localities to have balanced budgets so cuts will be inevitable. Personnel costs make up roughly 75% of the city’s total expenditures. In tough times like these programs will be reduced or totally eliminated. Currently the city is conducting a fundamental review of all services, looking to preserve the most essential.

Mayor Fraim says tough times provide us with an opportunity to reinvent how we do business – looking at ways to be more cost effective, redefining levels of service that is data driven , and tapping the resourcefulness found in employees. City employees can be a great source of ideas when it comes to improving services and becoming more efficient in delivering those services. The public also will play a key role in helping to set priorities.

He noted that 35% of Norfolk’s land is off the tax rolls, there is a higher poverty level and older housing stock. City priorities include education, public safety, new mass transit, and downtown revitalization.

Norfolk is looking to work with other communities in the region to share best practices, whether in the area of human services or transportation. Finding ways to be more efficient through shared services such as employee health insurance or marketing/promotional efforts. A prime example of the value of working together has been the collaborative effort to end homelessness, involving several communities in the region.

The closure of the Jordan Bridge coupled with the rebuilding of the Gilmerton Bridge (due to commence in May) is an important and necessary to connect the workforce with jobs. Mayor Fraim presented the statistics that point to the fact our economies are interwoven – 65,000 jobs in Norfolk are filled by residents of Virginia Beach and 30,000 from Chesapeake, in other words 43% of Norfolk’s workforce comes from these neighboring cities. Sixteen percent of Norfolk’s residents drive to Chesapeake and Virginia Beach to work.

“We are joined at the hip by geography and economy. We must work closely as a region – we are in this together,” stated Mayor Fraim. “What is good for Virginia Beach and Chesapeake is good for Norfolk. What helps one – helps all.”

Virginia Beach Mayor, The Honorable William Sessoms reinforced the point that it is vital to work together – sharing ideas and collaborating on strategies for the good of all. He said Hampton Roads is fortunate to be faring better than most regions because of the federal presence.

Mayor Sessoms described the city’s plan to focus on preserving their AAA bond rating; doing more with less; increasing partnerships (like the homelessness initiative, light rail, support for the Regional Transportation Plan; Economic Development focused on creating higher paying jobs); new transit; supporting the military; and, remaining true to the vision.

The Mayor noted how critically important the military presence is to our economy, representing 45% of our gross regional product. He stated “We must support the Outlying Landing Field (OLF) – it is a National Security issue, it’s not about Virginia Beach.” He also said we must support Little Creek and work hard to keep nuclear aircraft carriers based in Norfolk.

He said the City of Virginia Beach remains true to the a vision that includes shaping future growth, seeking public input and learning from the success of neighboring communities. He concluded by saying “Let us become the model for others to follow.”

Mayor Alan Krasnoff from the City of Chesapeake is also a charter member of the Hampton Roads Partnership Board. In 1996 Mayor Krasnoff was a member of Chesapeake City Council , serving as chair of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC). He said Chesapeake, as with other communities of the region, is fortunate, but not immune to the financial challenges of the times. He said we must have “faith to weather the storm.”

Mayor Krasnoff stated the times afford us the opportunity to redefine the core of our cities with the leadership necessary to seize the challenges. The times demand the need to form consensus (referring to it as an essential tool to use).

He discussed some of the differences between politics and governance – like “playing it safe” versus “saying no” if that is best course of action. He emphasized the importance of focusing on issues and opportunities rather than competing. He suggested consolidating services where it makes sense noting the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) was a good idea, a way to meet a common need with a regional approach. Their recent troubles stemming from a lack of oversight doesn’t mean we need to give up on the good idea.

Regent University‘s Executive Director of Advancement and University Events Baxter Ennis tossed out the idea of bringing all of the region’s mayors and chairs together for a similar event next year.

The Mayors speaking at this event were passionate and sincere in their commitment to regional cooperation. It was afternoon well spent.

It’s Not the End of the Line, It’s the Beginning

Comment by HRP Guest Blogger Matt Simons, a Masters in Public Administration graduate student at ODU and a student of urban planning.

Re: Virginian-Pilot editorial of 2/27/09 entitled “It's the end of the line for rail negotiations” concerning the history of negotiations of the Norfolk Southern (NS) right-of-way. In the coming weeks, Virginia Beach city council will be forced to make a decision as to the best and most appropriate means of acquiring the old Norfolk Southern (NS) right-of-way. This is a rail line which extends from Newtown Road to the oceanfront, the planned future route for the Virginia Beach extension to Norfolk’s new light rail project.

NS is currently paying taxes on the rail line of an assessed value of $7.3 million. However, NS wishes to squeeze more than $40 million out of the Virginia Beach tax payers, by claiming their property is worth that amount.

To some Virginia Beach citizens, the light rail extension is viewed as a political tool for developers to make millions of dollars through the transit oriented development (TOD) which will surely follow. Many feel that their tax dollars are being used as a subsidy for development which they feel does not even affect them. This notion is not only negative to the perception of local politics, but also to the much needed light rail, which is becoming an unwarranted scapegoat for poor spending.

It is not a BAD thing for developers to want light rail, and they should rightly pursue what's in their best interest. However, the city council must make decisions in the best interest of all the tax payers. They don't just see the cost associated directly...but they also see that transit oriented development (TOD) will take a huge tax burden off home owners by diversifying the tax base (Virginia Beach is about 88% residential). In addition, the city council knows that light rail transit (LRT) works in accordance with the city’s future plans of “smart growth.” This involves concentrating growth within a city center to avoid suburban sprawl, which means less pressure will be put on the city council to one day extend the green line further into Pungo.

It is important to note that smart growth favors long-term regional considerations of sustainability over the short-term concerns associated with capital cost. If we do not fix the growing problem now, we will be faced with worse problems in the future. The hardest issue facing the media now? Stressing the importance of correctly informing the public on the problem.

Transportation is the most obvious, and light rail will one day work within the context of a larger network of infrastructure, to perform viably to be a true alternative for commuting within the region. Additionally, the problem is also growth management. And for the planners and city council, they see light rail a way to preserve what little green space we have left to balance out our economic concerns with the ecological needs for future generations. There is also a push to attract more commercial business in order to take a tax burden off the home owners, as well as give the residents more employment opportunities within their own city.

Together light rail and smart growth can preserve a sustainable Hampton Roads and allow adequate mobility for its residents which will allow for a more workable growth model for all its citizens.

It's the end of the line for rail negotiations The Virginian-Pilot © Editorial February 27, 2009

Norfolk Southern Corp. has a preliminary agreement to sell its right of way for a light rail line between Norfolk and Virginia Beach's Oceanfront. An appraiser chosen by the rail company and the regional transportation board will determine the property's worth.

September 1996 - Buying Norfolk Southern's 11-mile right of way is a top priority and needs to happen quickly, the Virginia Beach City Council says. The rail company says the property is worth $40.6 million.

August 2003 - The City Council agrees to explore the asking price for Norfolk Southern's right of way, reigniting discussions from August 2006, when Virginia Beach said the line was worth $4.5 million.

December 2007 - The City Council said it would spend $10 million to buy the Norfolk Southern right of way, the likely route for a light rail project, and has asked for $20 million from the state. The rail company said the property was appraised for $50 million in 2008.

January 2009 - A city appraisal of the right of way determined it's worth about $6 million. Norfolk Southern wants $40 million.

February 2009 - Same song, umpteenth verse.

Years after Virginia Beach officials agreed that the city's transportation future was tied to the 66-foot-wide rail path between Norfolk and the resort area, we're still hearing the same tune.
The city and Norfolk Southern are far apart on a fair price for the land.

The rail company wants $3.8 million per mile - about $40 million - for the 10.6-mile swath. The land is valued at $7.3 million for tax purposes. By comparison, Norfolk is paying $1.5 million per mile - the fair market value as determined by the state in 2003 - for its 4.8 miles.

Granted, the straight east-west path from the Norfolk border to the convention center is worth more. It runs parallel to, and just north of, Interstate 264, past Town Center and Hilltop.

More than a dozen years ago, according to an agreement between Norfolk Southern and the Tidewater Transportation District Commission, the price for the right of way was to be determined after an appraisal by a real estate agent selected by both parties, at a cost of $100,000.

In 2007, shortly after Norfolk Southern abandoned the line, Virginia Beach authorized its city manager to negotiate a purchase or begin condemnation proceedings.

It's starting to look like Norfolk Southern simply doesn't want to sell. If that's the case, Virginia Beach needs to begin seriously considering its alternatives, including condemnation.

If the rail company is ready to deal, its negotiators need to be locked in a room with Virginia Beach's leaders. Nobody should be allowed out until they've agreed on a fair price.

It's way past time for the fat lady to appear.

"You've got to have guts," Will Sessoms, Mayor of Virginia Beach

The Honorable Will Sessoms, Mayor of Virginia Beach and HRP Board member, speaks with Cathy Lewis on WHRO's What Matters.

Mayor Sessoms talks about the mayoral election, the city's budget, light rail, development, taxes, wise (and often times gutsy) investments and more.

Video Link

VDOT's Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel Meeting

by Russell Manning
(including photo credit)

Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim addresses the group.

Dennis W. Heuer (VDOT Hampton Roads District Administrator), Pierce R. Homer (Virginia Secretary of Transportation), and Randy Boice (Project Manager) addressed a group of citizens and elected officials at Granby High School in Norfolk, VA tonight. The first of two meetings was held last week at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, VA.

Mr. Boice gave very detailed, informative explanations of each alternative including the strengths and weaknesses of each as follows:

Alternative 1: at $2.2 Billion was the least costly, but would not meet Federal Highway requirements prohibiting two-way traffic within the same undivided tunnel.

Alternative 2: meets Federal Highway requirements for minimal extra cost (adds $100 Million) by making the middle tube reversible during rush hour, however the traffic pattern on I-64 does not allow for reversible lanes. There is equal traffic in each direction, making it difficult to reverse the lanes.

Alternatives #3 and #4 are the two most practical and the most costly at $3.3 Billion each.

Alternative 3: constructs a four-lane tunnel to accommodate all east-bound traffic and converts both existing tubes to carry only west-bound traffic.

Alternative 4: constructs a four-lane tunnel and reserve a lane in each direction to be used for a dedicated right-of-way transit service, either a bus way or, more preferably (in Secretary Homer’s opinion), an extension for the Light rail line.

Alternative 5: constructs a two-lane suspension bridge, a mile in length and high enough for cargo ships and aircraft carriers to pass underneath. It would require reversible lanes, which not only fails the Federal Highway regulations but, due to the lower speed needed for the two-lane tube, the time benefit is shown not be worth the money spent. It also has “adverse … aerodynamics,” similar to the first Tacoma Narrows Bridge, which collapsed in Washington State four months after it opened in 1940. Proper reinforcement would bring this bridge to the same cost as a four-lane bridge. (see #6)

Alternative 6: constructs a four-lane suspension bridge, which saves $100 million over the four-lane tunnel option. However, it was noted that the Navy would never approve it. Constructing a bridge over the only exit for the majority of the Atlantic Fleet would be a terrorist attack waiting to happen, also adding fuel to Florida’s case to move aircraft carriers away from Hampton Roads.


Chesapeake Mayor Alan Krasnoff and Councilman Dr. Richard W. West attended.

Comments following the VDOT presentation included:

Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, who objected to any and all plans to widen HRBT, stating that the region has already determined that the Third Crossing was the best option, better during an evacuation, a plus for military mobility, and it would draw traffic away from the HRBT, lessening traffic jams. Any HRBT widening project in the current footprint would disrupt the Willoughby area.

Senator John Miller and Delegate Paula Miller were present to support the project, stating that we need to plan for the future and not just alleviate current problems. Delegate Miller inquired if the HRBT project or the Third Crossing would be eligible to receive funding under the proposed stimulus programs from President-elect Barack Obama. Mr. Homer replied that neither project would be eligible as they are not ready for immediate construction.

Bobby Mathieson of Virginia Beach stressed that the community needs to continue to talk about solutions. Virginia Beach’s Vice Mayor Louis Jones stated that he did not support any project that was not previously supported by the MPO.

Norfolk councilman Randy Wright took a minute to publicly thank Mr. Homer for supporting the Norfolk Light Rail project.

Hampton councilwoman Angela Leary stressed that as a supporter of personal property rights, she would like to discuss further alternatives with Norfolk and the Peninsula.

Mr. Homer strongly supports a multi-modal tube in any expansion to make it more attractive to the Region.



Russell is a Political Science major at ODU and Hampton Roads Magazine Top Ten Blogger, and we thank him for his continued reporting.
http://757HamptonRoads.blogspot.com