December 11, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

OF THE NEWPORT NEWS CITY COUNCIL

HELD IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

2400 WASHINGTON AVENUE

December 11, 2007

7:30 P.M.

Mayor Frank advised that the City Manager was asked to bring forward the plans, with a cost estimate regarding the Deep Creek Pier, as well as scheduling public meetings in the neighborhood to view the recommended plans and to receive comment and feedback. City Manager Hildebrandt responded that his direction was to proceed with plans for a pedestrian pier, not a wharf pier for use by watermen. City Manager Hildebrandt further stated it was the intent to develop and improve the facilities on the Menchville side of the harbor. Input would be welcomed from the watermen as there would be meetings as to how the City could better make the Menchville area usable by the industry.

Councilwoman McMillan expressed concern about fishing not being allowed. It was her hope that this be reconsidered. She stated a pedestrian pier was a pedestrian pier and she did not see why children could not fish off of that pier.

Source: Official site of Newport News, Virginia

Woodbury’s Focus

The Daily Press published the following letter yesterday after removing their own words, which were quoted from an article on “their stand” on the Deep Creek Pier (Priorities In Newport News, published 11-20-07). They’ve been included in the following version of what was the original letter.
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Offering her considerable talents to represent the central district of Newport News, Pat Woodbury is an excellent candidate for City Council.

She comes to the table with critical experience regarding education, after serving on the Newport News School Board, and on the Virginia School Board of Education. Born in Virginia and a peninsula resident for 49 years, she is no Johnny Come Lately.

She has voiced concerns regarding local gang activity among our youth, and believes it should be a priority. She has also pledged to work with state and federal officials regarding illegal immigration.

She demonstrated a keen empathy with the weary Newport News taxpayer recently, stating at a public forum, “We have a spending problem, not a revenue problem. We need to let the people keep more of their hard-earned money.”

She is in favor of rebuilding the recently demolished, historical Deep Creek pier, a project which the Daily Press stated (Priorities In Newport News, 11-20-07 ) “…would be a capital expense, spread over so many years it would have an imperceptible effect on tax rates in any given year…” This is the sort of small project our City Council should be supporting. It will bring a great deal of enjoyment to the public at minimal cost to the taxpayer, while offering access to the water for the average citizen – something that has been disappearing rapidly in recent years. Less is more during these difficult economic times.

Bonnie Atkins

Newport News