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April 25~ 1972
<br />
<br />At the age of 2 years~ the Elizabeth River is merely a "big bathtub" to a child, and he want-
<br />ed to get in the water like "Flipper" on television.
<br />
<br /> Here are a few facts about the seawall and my comments about them:
<br />
<br /> First, if someone should fall into the water, the only place to ~et back on the seawall
<br />is at one of the boat ramps and these are too far apart to be of any use to the average
<br />swimmer.
<br />
<br /> Second, there aren't any life nets, rails or anything under the wall to hold onto easily~-
<br />only the pilings to support the wall.
<br />
<br /> Third, there aren't any life preservers on top of the all -- or anyway to summon help
<br />other than.-by shouting.
<br />
<br /> Fourth, the-seawall is rather isolated in regards to being able to get help quickly.
<br />Late in the aftar~o'on or on a weekend the ~closest ~lace would be'the police station and
<br />that is too far away to be of any use. Also, at most of our visits, my son and I were alone
<br />on the seawall.
<br />
<br /> Fifth, and quite important, the Seawall Art Show is scheduled to be held on May 27, 28,
<br />and 29,and peiple of all ago~ will be on the wall ~and in crowded conditions. If this event
<br />is to be a relaxes and enjoyable one, as well as the general everyday use of the seawall,
<br />it must be made safe for the entire public -- our small children included.
<br />
<br /> Personally, I-woutd like to see~some type of lightweight chain link fence attached to
<br />the railing along the wall, as this would be the surest way to keep someone from falling into
<br />the water. Even bne life that it might save, or the peace of mind of many parents of small
<br />children, woul~ be worth the s~all amount of beauty it would take from the openness the sea-
<br />wall has now. However, if the fencing is completely out of the question, at least life pre-
<br />servers and some method-of getting help quickly (such as fire alarm boxes) should be installe,
<br />at close ~ntervals.'- ~
<br />
<br />Anything you and the city council can do to expedite this matter is greatly appreciated.
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr. Turner and seconded by Mr. Raymond Smith, to be received as information
<br />and refer to Counm~t[conference for study, was adopted by the following vote:
<br />
<br /> Ayes: Holley, Johnson, King, Irvine Smith, Raymond Smith, Turner, Barnes
<br /> Nays: None
<br />
<br /> 72-164 Motion of Mr. Raymond Smith and seconded by Mr. Turner, the following resolutmon
<br />be adopted, with the provision that a copy of of the resolution to Representative Kenneth
<br />Robinson for his %nf~rmation, by the following vote:
<br />
<br />'RESOLUTION PROTESTING INADEQUATE ALLOCATION OF IMPACTED AREA FUNDS TO
<br />PORTSMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNDER PUBLIC LAW 874.
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, %he
<br />Portsmouth .Public
<br />Areas); and
<br />
<br />proposed Federal Budget
<br />Shcools pursuant to the
<br />
<br />for fiscal year 1973 designates only $389,600 for
<br />provisions of Public Law 874 (Aid for Impacted
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the prposed allocation constitutes a drastic reduction of $659,400 from the
<br />appropriation for the current fiscal year; and
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the United States Congress previously has authorized, but never appropriated,
<br />educational aid funds for this city based on the number of students residing in public
<br />housing; and
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, appropriations for the city based on the number of students residing in public
<br />housing would result in increased aid of approximately $450,000 per year; and
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the ability of the City of Portsmouth to support education is currently the
<br />lowest among the cities in Virginia when computed on a per student basis.
<br />
<br /> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, that
<br />cognizant federal legislators be immedia'tely informed of the proposed reduction in Public Law
<br />874 funds and of the disastrous consequences such a reduction portends for public education
<br />mn the City of Portsmouth; and
<br />
<br /> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that federal legislators be strongly encouraged to support in-
<br />creased Public Law 874 appropriations for the Po~t~mouth Public Schools based on the number
<br />of students residing in public housing; and
<br />
<br /> BE IT FURTHER RE.SOLVeD that this resolution be
<br />of this city and that the City Clerk be directed to
<br />tion to Senat-or Harry F. Byrd, Jr., Senator William
<br />Whitehurst'."
<br />
<br />made a part of the permanent records
<br />forward certified copies of this resolu-
<br />B. Spong and Representative G. William
<br />
<br />Ayes: Holley, Johnson, King, Irvine Smith, Raymond Smith, Turner, Barnes
<br />Nays: None
<br />
<br />
<br />
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