President's Page

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I trust everyone is ready for Winter – cause here it comes. The trees are

just about bare, and Christmas decorations are appearing across the

neighborhood. It’s a joyous time of year and I hope all can enjoy the

season with families and friends.

Our November civic league membership meeting was well attended,

and we enjoyed an excellent presentation from Virginia Beach Sheriff

Rocky Holcomb accompanied by some of his senior officers. Larry and

Missy Huggins grilled up some delicious hot-dogs for the evening, and

all-in-all it was a nice event. Don’t forget this month we will be having

our Christmas pot-luck dinner in lieu of a membership meeting on

December 16th. In addition to great food, we will enjoy live

entertainment courtesy of the Silver Tappers, a visit from Santa Claus

and some great door prizes. See all the details on the front page of this

newsletter. Christmas comes but once each year – don’t miss it.

We are very thankful for Ed Douglas as he has stepped up to fill the

position of secretary of the civic league. He was voted-in as an officer

of the civic league at the November board meeting. Ed and his lovely

wife Debbie are longtime residents of Governor Square. Ed retired

from the Norfolk Police Department after a 30+ year career and

subsequently retired again from the Norfolk Sheriff’s office 20 years

later. If you see Ed around the neighborhood, please thank him for

stepping up to a leadership role with the civic league, and for his years

of service in law enforcement.

In our ongoing battle in opposition to prevent the installation of a new

Independence Blvd traffic signal at the Paul Revere Road intersection,

we offered the compromise of closing Paul Revere at Independence. It

seemed like a reasonable request to offset the anticipated cut-thru

traffic a new signal will bring to our residential streets. Virginia Beach

Public Works has replied with a denial of that request. We have

requested an on-site meeting to discuss further options. Public Works

has yet to explain the justification for adding a crosswalk at that

intersection along with the traffic signal. There are no businesses on

either side, and no apparent neighborhood connection between Lake

Smith Terrace and Thoroughgood Colony, yet suddenly there is an

urgency for a crosswalk – a mere three tenths of a mile from the

crosswalk at Haygood Road. Five years ago, our councilman, the late

Louis Jones, looked at the proposed traffic signal and said it was not

needed. The project stopped. Louis possessed the wisdom and years of

experience to assess these types of projects – and the city listened to

him. Unfortunately, his replacement, a resident of Thoroughgood, has

yet to demonstrate any such situational awareness on this matter. We

will continue our efforts to oppose the project that has no positive

benefits to this neighborhood.

As the winter months arrive, watch out for your elderly neighbors. A

little kindness goes a long way.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a

Happy and Safe New Year. Stay warm and watch your speed in the

neighborhood.

John Eason, President