Storm damage at the Deep Creek Landing Marina 2009

City Council, School Board candidates address spending

Some criticized the salaries of the city’s top management at a forum Thursday night.

By Sabine Hirschauer
April 11, 2008

Source: dailypress.com

NEWPORT NEWS – — Taxes, the budget and Deep Creek pier.

City Council candidates Thursday night answered a flood of questions on how to best save money and cut spending during a forum organized by the local tax grass-roots group RETRO. The candidates were quick on their feet with ideas.

Victor Albea, who is running in the south district, said he would not want to cut spending in education and crime prevention.

City Manager Randy Hildebrandt last month released an $814.8 million city spending plan for the next fiscal year, which includes a $318.6 million school budget. And most recently Hildebrandt suggested cutting the school budget by $2.2 million, which could reduce the proposed raises for school employees from 4 percent to 3 percent. Three percent is the size raise Hildebrandt suggested for city employees.

“Eduction is key,” said Albea, who also wants the city to focus on private dollars to bankroll development.

The three School Board candidates attending the forum — Betty Dixon, incumbent School Board Chairman Richard “Rick” Donaldson and incumbent William “Bill” Collins — also spoke out against the school cuts.

“I am disappointed that the city manager cut our budget to essentially a flat budget,” Donaldson said.

Rob Jones, who is vying for the open City Council seat in the central district, said he wants to streamline government and make it more efficient.

“We need to separate our wants from our needs,” he said.

Millard White, also running in the central district, emphasized a prioritization of city spending, making better decisions on what projects really need to get funded and what services residents want to give up.

“We need to cut the fat out of the budget,” he said.

Some candidates mentioned a city contract for $300,000 annually to promote the Marriott Hotel at City Center for the next 20 years.

“We have a spending problem,” said Pat Woodbury, who is also running in the central district, “not a revenue problem. We need to let the people keep more of their hard-earned money.”

Most candidates also criticized the salaries of some of the city’s top management.

“Our city attorney just received an $8,000 raise,” said Sheryl Holmes Abbott, who is running in the south district. “I don’t think his responsibilities increased. This has to end.”

“I am for cutting the budget,” Albea said. “But not at the sacrifice of citizen services.”

To save the schools some money, School Board candidate Dixon suggested an end to mandatory busing and “to return to neighborhood schools.”

Jones, who recommended a special task force to look at real estate assessments, said he supported the controversial King William Reservoir and saw it “as a good source of revenue, which will help us lower taxes.”

At the end of the forum, the candidates were asked if they would support rebuilding the Deep Creek pier, which the city demolished last year. Most supported the idea.

“If we can afford a $50 million reservoir, we surely can afford rebuilding the pier, which has been there for years,” said Dennis W. Rowsey, who is a candidate in the central district.

White said he was in favor of the pier, but the city probably should hold off on rebuilding it right now because of the current fiscal problems at City Hall.

Marie Boyd and Marvin Evans, both central district candidates, did not attend the forum. Boyd sent her neighbor, Michael Shapiro, to represent her. Tina Vick who is running for the south district and incumbent Councilwoman Madeline McMillan, who is running unopposed in the north district, also did not attend.

Award Winning Plan for Deep Creek/Menchville

(click on title to see plats) The following article was contributed by Carol Hogge. I’m sure the City was proud of this plan, and with good reason. It was an award winning effort and stood to benefit the entire Chesapeake region, not just Deep Creek and Menchville. For the Deep Creek side the plan included: Seafood Harvest, Support Facilities, Parking, Boat Mooring and Marine Service. The watermen’s needs were taken into consideration in this plan. You can tell by the talent and effort brought to this plan that the Deep Creek/Menchville area was viewed as a valuable asset to the City. The text has been transcribed below for convenient reading.
Source: Metro Magazine
—–
The Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association has selected Newport News “Deep Creek/Menchville Plan” for recognition as part of its 1990 Planning Awards Program. The plan, prepared by staff of the Department of Planning and Development, is the culmination of months of research and labor.

After meeting with the approval of the City Planning Commission, it was forwarded to the City Council which, at a recent meeting, also approved it unanimously. Most importantly, the plan has been met with overwhelming support from citizens and residents of the Deep Creek/Menchville area. Major Components of the plan call for:

• Creation of a major community park overlooking the James River.
• Development of a center for seafood activities on Deep Creek Harbor
• Preservation of the historic character of the area
• Protection of the natural environment
• Development of a re-usable site for disposal of dredge spoil from the harbor entrance and channel.
• Reclaiming of sanitary landfill property for active and passive recreational use

The “Meritorious Award” for demonstration of excellence in the application of professional planning methods recognizes both the designs of the plan and the fact that the implementation will positively impact the entire Chesapeake Bay region.

Presentation of the award will take place at the VAPA Spring Conference, in the Omni Hotel Waterside, on May 14, 1990. Director Paul Miler will accept the award on behalf of the Department.

Deep Creek 1905

[click on post title to view photo] The following five photographs, offered by the one who posts as “Harris Store,” are something quite special, but this one is perhaps the crown jewel. Harris Store writes, “I believe it to be the oldest of Deep Creek in existence. It was taken in 1905, looking toward the river. Menchville can be seen to the right. The boats are log canoes, distant fore-runners of the Chesapeake Bay Deadrise.”

I don’t know about you, but the more I learn about the rich history of Deep Creek, and the determination of its people, the deeper appreciation I have for what we were fortunate enough to call home. We can not let this pier pass in the night like Harris’ Store did. Haven’t we learned that if we do not fight the fight that is given to us today, there will be nothing left for our children to fight for?

Deep Creek 1905

View of Lozar’s Store

[click on post title to view photo]

This photograph, taken in the 1950s, was taken from Menchville looking across Deep Creek. Frank Lozar’s store can be seen on the opposite shoreline.

Dredging in Deep Creek

Source: Daily Press 12/20/90

Caption was:

An employee of the Norfolk Dredging Company takes a sounding in front of Herman’s Harbor House Restaurant at Deep Creek in Newport News to measure water depth where maintenance dredging is being done.

Bernard Rowe and Sallie Bet Rowe

[click on post title to view photo]

I received the following poem from a friend and it seemed appropriate to publish it along with these wonderful photos from Carol Hogge. Mrs. Sallie Bet Rowe (pictured above on right) wrote it about Harris’ Store sometime in the 1950s. Her husband, Mr. Bernard Rowe, is pictured on the left. (I’m not sure how to spell Miss Sallie Bet’s name. I noticed that it’s spelled Sally under the photo but Sallie on the poem)

Country Store

There is a place I love to go,
And sit there by the hour.
To talk about the spinach crop,
And buy a bag of flour.
It is the country store you know,
Where all the men do go.
It’s where the longest fish are caught,
And the largest tatters grow.

There is a place I love to go,
And lean against the rail.
To talk about the greatest hound,
That scents the hardest trail.
It is the country store, you know,
Where all the men do go,
It’s where the largest coons are skinned,
And the most famous rabbits grow.

There is a place I love to go,
And shoot a lot of bull,
It’s where the wife don’t have the say,
And the man’s got all the pull.
It is the country store you know,
Where all the men do go.
It’s where the air gets awful stale,
And the room gets awful full.

Written by childhood friend and neighbor,
Sallie B. Rowe, in the 1950’s about Harris’ store.

A Blast From The Past

I received these photos today. They were contributed by Carol Hogge. I couldn’t wait to share them with you. I know you’ll love them. Thanks Carol. Please, anyone else out there who has old photos of the Deep Creek area, send them to deepcreekpier@yahoo.com so we can all see them.

I’m not sure when this one was taken but it’s great. If anyone knows, please leave a comment in the comment section.

Jody Rowe’s boat. Ronnie Row was my friend and I can recall when we were very young; he always spoke so admiringly of Jody.

From The Forum

[click on post title to view entire post]

From the Daily Press forum – “James River Marina against city rebuilding Deep Creek Pier”

Posted by: Deep Creek and Civil War ~ Carrollton, VA

During the siege of Yorktown, Deep Creek was heavily fortified. This is because the creek was at the end of the first Confederate defensive line for Richmond. The Union advance was bogged down as both sides sought advantage. Toward this end, both the Union and Confederates used helium balloons for troop observation and map making.

We are aware that the Confederate tug/escort/gunship Teaser was dispatched up the James River to act as a platform for balloon flights over the mouth of the Warwick River Deep Creek, and Mulberry Island.

This was the world’s first aircraft carrier, and it happened right here.

And there’s reason to believe the Confederate balloon was landed at Deep Creek from the Teaser. Exactly where is unknown, but there’s a good chance it could have been the first Deep Creek Pier.

The upshot of this is there may be much more than oysters under the Deep Creek Pier.

From The Forum

Historical and Financial significance of Deep Creek Pier

Deep Creek Pier Dates to 1937

The Deep Creek pier is a historic landmark. It dates at least from 1937. It was the social center for our community and supported millions of dollars in commerce. It was the offload point for the most productive oyster grounds in the world. From the Deep Creek pier wagon loads of seafood were hauled up Deep Creek road to the railroad junction (Oyster Point). From there James River oysters and other produce was distributed worldwide.

The only historic activity that exceeds deep Creek Pier in commerce and community was Newport News Shipbuilding. Deep Creek was Warwick County’s chief industrial activity through the early part of the last century and accounted for almost half of the State’s oyster production.

Unfortunately, the City has allowed this resource to decline into it’s current sad state. The reason for this is a mixture of bad management, greed, politics, and indifference.

Fortunately, Council’s bid to destroy our pier might not work out. This is good.

More History

Three stores were established on the Deep Creek side of the harbor.
“Billy White’s” store and the “Carmine Store” were located on Snug Harbor lane.
A ‘general store’ constructed by Charles B Harris and Fanney Hornsby during the 1890’s
This store was situated at the corner of Deep Creek and Harris Roads.
It sold every imaginable item, as lumber, turpentine, and fresh peaches.

In the 1930’s Paul Van Buren Harris organized the men of the community at his store
and set out to build a much needed pier to serve the Deep Creek fishing community.
This was the forerunner of the existing Deep Creek pier in approximately the same location.
Mrs. Bonnie Melzer allowed access to the store and pier along what is now Deep Creek Road.[First pier, ed.]

In 1954, again through the efforts of Paul Harris, Warwick received a grant for the building of a new public pier.
The Army Corps of Engineeers carried out its construction. According to a 1956 Warwick information publication
the “improvements to this harbor, financed by Federal and City governments,[provided]
a channel into the James River 8 feet deep and 10 feet wide…and a public pier
and wharfage totaling 600 feet.By 1956, the pier was completed and the Harbor was dredged.[Second pier,ed.]

In 1964, the store owned by Lozaw was torn down to make way for Herman’s restaurant.
In 1982, the Harris store was razed.

Financial and Historical significance of Deep Creek Harbor in 1989

On to page 58

Deep Creek Harbor is one of the most important resources to the Virginia seafood industry.
It is currently [1989 ed,] the number one oyster landing site in the Commonwealth according
to figures supplied by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Deep Creek Harbor is the
primary port of landing, off-loading, and distribution in support of the James river
seafood harvesting interests, with a particular emphasis on shellfish.

The James River oyster beds have historically been known as the most productive in the world.
In recent years, more than half of all Virginia oysters have come from the James River.
In 1988, 65 percent of the Commonwealth’s total were harvested from the James…

…According to the VMRC 316,000 bushels of market and seed oysters were landed at Deep Creek during the
1986/87 season at a value in excess of 3.6 million, making the harbor the top oyster landing site in Virginia…

1989 Deep Creek Plan final recommendations Page 14 Paragraph 2

On the south side of the harbor, the public pier and marina area is maintained
and improved. Necessary support facilities, including restrooms, sanitary
pump out, public parking, and a turn-around, at the end of Deep Creek Road
are provided through a joint project with private residential and commercial
property owners. Improvements at deep creek will also include a small park
and picnic area amenity overlooking the pier and harbor. Direct management of
the pier and other public facilities will ensure the most efficient, safe and
environmentally sound use and will protect against abandonment of unseaworthy
vessels. Adequate parking at the Deep Creek pier will be provided through layout
and delineation of efficient parking on existing parking lots, parking improvements
along Deep Creek Road, and possibly a parking structure or acquisition of land for
surface parking adjacent to the existing seafood commercial land. These
improvements create a harbor area which meets the needs of Deep Creek
watermen, is advantageous to Deep Creek businesses, projects an inviting
image to the public, and respects nearby residents.

Daily Press Tuesday Oct 1, 1985 Page B3
Dock to stay open for free use

Residents submit petition opposing rental plan at Deep Creek

By Larry Aydlette
Staff Writer
NEWPORT NEWS – A picturesque dock used extensively
by oystermen and residents in the Deep Creek area will
remain open for free public use.

After encountering strong opposition City Council scrapped
a plan Monday night to construct rental boat slips at the aging
Deep Creek pier. Instead, council unanimously decided to repair
portions of the deteriorating facility and maintain it for public
access

Area residents submitted 500 to 600 names on a petition
opposing the rental plan, and about 35 people attended
the council meeting to voice their disagreements…

…Council members agreed to spend about $10,000
repairing a heavily used section of the pier. They also agreed
to maintain it on a regular basis and take bids on installing
lighting, estimated cost about $14,000

City Manager Robert T. Williams also suggested that
the City seek private insurance on the dock. Users claim the
pier is unsafe, and one suit is pending against the City
for injuries allegedly received after a woman fell on the dock.