President's Page
March News from John Eason, Civic League President
The senseless slaying of two young Virginia Beach police officers,
Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese, late on February 21st was a
tragedy that shocked the entire city. We grieve for the loss of those
officers, and we pray for their families. It is tragedies like this one that
show us how true evil exists in this world. It is a helpless feeling to
know that what has happened cannot be undone. Our civic league has
made a contribution to the fund established to support the families of
those officers.
The February 18th civic league meeting was well attended and the
presentation on starting spring garden plants was excellent. I hope to
see a good crowd at the March 25th meeting where the program will be
on boating safety – a perfect topic as we roll into spring.
There have been two public information meetings to present the city’s
case of the traffic signal light at Paul Revere and Independence that
were each cancelled due to snow. The new meeting date is scheduled
for Wednesday, March 12th at Independence Middle School, 5:00 PM
to 7:00 PM. We need to continue showing our opposition by attending
that meeting. In the meantime, I have written all eleven members of
city council detailing the reasons we oppose a traffic light at Paul
Revere that we believe will be detrimental to our existing
neighborhood. Our committee has also reached out to VDOT and
Federal Government for assistance. Independence Blvd is a state
highway. Our battle opposing the proposed traffic signal light has
become a war of attrition. We have been against this light since we first
learned about it in 2020. Our Civic League suggested several
alternatives, unfortunately the city’s Public Works Director claims the
alternatives were evaluated and dismissed. Last year our new city
councilman, Joash Schulman, himself a resident of Thoroughgood,
suggested Public Works proceed with the light. We are now in
opposition with our own city council representative in addition to the
city’s Public Works department. The next District 9 council seat
election is November 2026. It will be our opportunity to make a better
choice.
We are still looking to fill the Secretary position on the civic league’s
board. It requires a person who can attend and record minutes at civic
league meetings and board meetings.
We are also seeking one or two people to take over the refreshments at
the eight monthly Civic League meetings we conduct each year.
Looking ahead, our student representative on the board, Kiley, will be
graduating high school this year. Anyone with a high school level
student at home who may be interested in being our next student
representative should contact me. This position is a good opportunity
for a young person to gain volunteer hours and experience. It can be a
plus on college applications.
There must be some folks out here in the neighborhood who are
willing to step up to a role in the civic league. Let me hear from you.
-John Eason, President