Minutes 03/22/1966 - Laserfiche WebLink

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297 March 22, 1966 Water and raw sewage from over flowing septic tanks stands for extended periods of time in existing ditches which have been pluged and in some instances portly maintained and dug in wrong directions by city personnel. At this time it is f~t that a mere cleaning of existing ditches will do little or no good in helping releive this situation, but is felt that it will require engineering to remedy these conditions. It was noted in the Ledger Star last year that City Council was to have taken measures to correct this situation and to date no~hing has. be~n done. ~nis area is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, ticks, and other disease carrying insects. The ditches~ and stagnant water represent a real hazard to health. We there for ask that immediate action be taken to assure our right as citizens of this city that we may enjoy our homes and lives and that we need not worry for the health of our children and .ourselves." (Signed by Charles U. Troxell and others) Motion of Mr. Barnes to suspend the rules to hear Charles Troxell was adopted, without dissenting vote; Mr. Trox~ll spoke regarding the conditions referred to in the petition. . Motion of Mr. Knight to refer to the City Manager for prompt investigation and report with recommendations at the earliest possible date, was adopted, without dissenting vote. Motion of Mr. Barnes that the question of drainage in the entire city be referred to a conference of the Council, was adopted, without dissenting vote. 66-78 - The following petition requesting curbs and gutters on Hanbury Avenue wasread: "We, the undersigned, do hereby, petition the City Council of Portsmouth, Virginia, for the purpose of obtaining curbs ~ gutters on Hahhmry Avenue: Reason for petition curbs and gutters to take care of improper drainage, and to give the children that go to James Hurst School, All J. ~app Jr. High School, and Crafldck High School a safer street to walk to and from these schools. Motion of Mr. Barnes to suspend the rules to hear Robert F. Turner was adopted, without dissenting vote. Motion of Mr. Hastes to refer to the City Manager for report, was adopted. ~ 66-79 - The following letter from the Superintendent of Schools was read: the following resolution: "The Schooi Board at its regular session on March 11, 1966, passed That~the School Board of the City of Portsmouth be authorized to exceed the 1965-66 budget in the amount of theFederal funds received under Public Law 89-10, and Other funds received from Federal sources not inc~luded in the current budget." Motion of Mr. Barne$~ to concur in the request of the School Board to fiae these funds, was adopted, without dissenting vote.. 66-80 - The following letter from Earl S. Bohanan, President, Club 34, was read, and on motion of Mr. Hastes, received as information: '~wo nefarious incidents in the short span of ~our months underscore the gross inefficiency and dereliction of duty that now ~xists in the admimistration of the Portsmouth Police Department. Last November visitors at the City Jail were not property searched. Implements of escape were brought to the prisoners and nine extremely dangerous convicts escaped to threaten the Safety of the citizens of Tidewater area and the entire state. On Wednesday, March 16, a prisoner arrested as a prime suspect of the double crimes of rape and armed'robbery simpl~u~atked out of Police Headquarters.. Due to the lack of a trained administrator at Police Headquarters, his excape was not detected and his disappearance was not noticed until nearly 20 hours later. The Chief of PoliCe at the time of this escape could not be located. The prisioner is still at large at the time of this;writing .... The excuse of a dilapidated jail building was used in November to cover up for poor police administration. We, the voting t~kpaye~s of Portsmouth, care not what.excuse is being concocted by Police Chief Crowe to conceal his lack of proper police training. We do not askfor excuses. We do not want excuses. The Cit~ of Portsmouth is in dire need of a trained ~lice Chief who will discharge the duties and the responsibilities of the office entrusted to him. Perhaps a s61ution to this present mess would be achieved by promotion from within the Police Department. Surely, the people of Portsmouth deserve an adequately trained Police Chief." On motion adjourned, Approved - President City Clerk