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February 24, 1981
<br />
<br />NEW BUSINESS
<br />
<br /> 81-74 Councilman Gray offered the following nominations for appointments to Boards/
<br />Commissions:
<br />
<br />Board of Electrical Examiners
<br />
<br /> Robert L. Turner to be appointed for a term of four years, ending March 1, 1985, replac-
<br />John A. Bender, Jr.
<br />
<br />Manpower Development & Employment Commission
<br />
<br /> Y. Kirk Butch to be appointed for an unexpired term, ending June 1, 1982, replacing
<br />Robert F. Myers, deceased; James W. Dunn for an unexpired term, ending June 1, 1982, replac-
<br />ing John A. Randall.
<br />
<br />Mosquito Control Commission
<br />
<br /> T. O. Eaton of Parks g Recreation and W. P. Landon of Public Works, to be appointed for
<br />four year terms, effective as of March 1, 1981.
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr. Whitlow and seconded by Mr. Beamer, to close nominations, and there being
<br />no further nominations, the above members to be elected to the designated Board/Commission,
<br />and was adopted by unanimous vote.
<br />
<br /> 81-75 Robert H. Barnes, 5009 Greenbrook Drive, ma~ the following presentation on
<br />regional cooperation:
<br />
<br /> From my residence, since the Churchland area was annexed by Portsmouth, I have watched
<br />with pride the accomplishments of the City Council and its able staff. I have watched with
<br />envy the many talents put forth by the Council to accomplish the fantastic growth of the
<br />city and its ability to fulfill its far reaching goals.
<br />
<br /> But we are now faced with a crisis that could retard that growth and diminish the bright
<br />future of the city. A crisis that now, tonight, has two of our neighbors locked in combat
<br />over a source of a water supply. A battlefield upon which we surely will soon be involved.
<br />
<br /> As this Council knows, water is the life blood of any city. Without this life giving
<br />commodity, the growth of any city, even Portsmouth, is doomed to a bleak and limited future.
<br />
<br /> Recently I was privileged to attend a Leadership Training Institute sponsored by the
<br />Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce. Scheduled to speak were acknowledged leaders of the Piedmont
<br />area. Two of which are among you tonight, Mayor Johansen and Councilman Barnes. The over-
<br />riding theme of the conference was regional cooperation and development. This feeling was
<br />shared by all present at the Institute. And gentlemen, we cannot prosper without that cooper-
<br />ation and we cannot survive without water.
<br />
<br /> This Council must act now to establish those controls needed for the betterment of all
<br />of us before the Governor takes the reins and imposes controls not sanctioned by any of us.
<br />We must develop an inter-city water source that would go much further than the Governor's
<br />15 point plan. A System that would provide all Tidewater cities from one water source. A
<br />central water system that would be controlled by representatives from member cities. Unless
<br />we have the foresight to solve our o_Wnproblems, the Governor must, and indeed will, act to
<br />solve the problem for us.
<br />
<br /> So with that background, I charge this Council to act tonight to take one of many options
<br />open to them. One is to search through the city name bank for citizens that have the talents
<br />and the interest to work for regional development, and the betterment of the city. Appoint
<br />these citizens to a new committee that would go forth and establish a dialogue with our neigh-
<br />bors that would result in the cornerstone of a regional water system that would provide the
<br />Tidewater area with water for years.
<br />
<br /> Another option for the Council is to mandate a standing committee, the Southeastern
<br />Virginia Planning District Committee, of which Portsmouth has three members. Have the Plannin~
<br />Committee take on the added responsibility of developing the system and running it through the
<br />Southeastern Public Service Authority.
<br />
<br /> I put before this committee, that whatever action taken, be taken soon for the future of
<br />Portsmouth."
<br />
<br /> 81-76 - James Oliver, 30 Noble Street, requesting again consideration of curbs and gutter~
<br />on Noble Street, referring to the estimate given (if it was for curbs g gutters or resurfacing
<br />to the whole street). Mr. Chet McGinnis, Assistant City Manager, responded.
<br />
<br /> 81-77 - The following citizens spoke regarding the rehabilitation 6f subsidized housing
<br />in Century Apartments and Westhaven Apartments:
<br />
<br /> Freddie Molleen, 4603 Westmar~land Terrace, representing Central Mid-City & Simonsdale
<br />Housing Committee.
<br /> Joseph E. Knight, 4820 Portsmouth Boulevard, represening Simonsdale Civic Club.
<br /> Bradford Andrews, 4615 Valhhlla Drive, represening Central Mid-City Civic League.
<br /> Ms. Theresa R. Davis, 4422 Bart Street, relinquished her time to Mr. Andrews.
<br /> Glenn Burdick, 4504 Griffin Street, representing Central Mid-City Civic League &
<br />Simonsdale Civic Club.
<br /> Ms. Sandra Hale, 4507 Griffin Street, relinquished her time to Mr. Burdick.
<br />
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