Prepare For Light Rail Construction Coming Soon

Greetings Fellow Residents,

The railroad tracks and wooden rail ties have been removed
from the path of the light rail course.

Those of you whose properties abut or will otherwise be
affected by the coming construction can expect to experience
noise levels and ground vibration far beyond the annoyance
of the traffic on I-264, Ballentine Blvd and the train passings.

This will be especially true when the piles are driven for the
overpass of Ballentine Blvd. You have my sympathy if you are a
"day sleeper" because you work at night.

Those of us who live farthest from the construction should not be
complacent and feel we can rest easy. Just as the sound of the train
can be heard by the residents of Middle Town Arch and the Haynes Tract
homes, so will you hear the piles being driven for the over pass.

Now is the time for you to make your OWN video and photographic
recordings of the interior and exterior walls of your homes and
especially the exterior brick skirting with the date and time
stamped on the recordings.

Focus on where the walls meet the ceiling and floor. You may have to
pull out your furniture, but you may be glad you did if proof of
damage is needed. Get this done BEFORE the piles are driven.

Also, contact the insurers of your homes and get them to do the same.
Don't just call them and express your concerns, write to them and send
your correspondence via registered mail, and keep your receipt.

It is of the utmost importance that you act now on this matter.
The City of Norfolk, HRT, and their contractors will deny any and all
responsibility for damage done to your homes as a result of their
construction activities.

I refer you to Broad Creek Shores and the reconstruction of the
Broad Creek Bridge in the early 2000's and the resultant damage caused
to the homes facing Va. Beach Blvd. in that neighborhood.
Contact Ms. Gloria Stevens Clark at:
glo4peace100@yahoo.com for specifics.

Our civic league met on April 21st, and it was well attended by the
residents. Councilman Paul Riddick was there and he is not our city
council representative, Dwight McDowell who was running for our
representative on the city council was there. He did not win the race
for that seat. His opponent, Daun Hester, who IS our representative was
NOT there, yet she handily won another term on the city council.

She is the one to whom we should be expressing our concerns about our
neighborhood issues.
Maybe, one day, she will make time to grace us with her presence and not
just listen, but DO something for our community.

Councilman Riddick made an interesting statement when he said the city
loves "our kind of residents who pay our taxes and don't make our voices
heard" (that was a paraphrase).

He also gave us the meeting schedule for the city council as follows:

First Tuesday: 7:00 p.m. Business meeting, formal docket.
Public can address Council on new business provided they have followed the
sign-up policy.(see below)

Second Tuesday: 2:30 p.m. Business meeting, formal docket.
Public can address Council on new business provided they have followed the
sign-up policy.

Third Tuesday: 2:30 p.m. Business meeting, formal docket.
Public can address Council on new business provided they have followed the
sign-up policy.

Fourth Tuesday: 7:00 p.m. Business meeting, formal docket.
To the extent possible, public hearings and planning-related items will be
scheduled during these sessions.

Guidelines For Speakers

If you wish to address the City Council, you must register to speak.
The City Clerk or an assistant will take down your name, address and the
subject you wish to speak on, including the agenda number if applicable.

Requests to address items not on the agenda are considered new business,
and will be taken up at the conclusion of the agenda.

If you have a complaint or a question about a city government operation
or service, it may be advisable to take it up with the city department
involved or the City Manager's Office (across the hall from the council
chamber) before bringing it to the attention of the council.

If you are with a group of people, you may want to have a spokesperson
present your position to the council and have others in agreement
recognized by standing.

Council will always try to hear everyone who wishes to speak on a subject.
If a previous speaker has stated your position, you may make that known by reference. (for example, "I agree with the position stated by Mr. Jones and
have nothing further to add.")

Speakers are generally limited to one appearance of three minutes, although
council can allow exceptions at its discretion. Please limit your remarks to
the subject under discussion.

When your name is called, please follow these steps:

Come forward to the speaker's lectern. State your name and address.
State your position and give facts and other data.

If you represent a group or organization, ask the others to rise and be
recognized. If you have a written statement, give it and other supportive
material to the City Clerk for the record.

These guidelines are intended to encourage the greatest possible participation
by citizens at council meetings.

Edward West Sr.