From The Forum

Mayor Frank equated the questioning of his family relationship with Mr. Deyoung as a challenge of his integrity. Even Councilman Haskins defended Joe’s virtue. Surely it was an oversight. Mayor Frank isn’t invested in the Marina. Atty. Katz verified that the relationship didn’t fit any of the criteria involved in conflicts of interest.

I can see how citizens would expect a higher standard of Mayor Frank. He set the standard himself. Reference the February 27, 1990 minutes of the Regular Meeting of City Council. In brief, the discussion is Public Hearings – Deep Creek/Menchville Land Use Plan. A Mrs. Nachman is referenced as involved in seafood business on the Menchville side of the harbor. She is noted as represented by Mr. Barry Nachman.

“Vice Mayor Frank disclosed that Mrs. Nachman is his first cousin and her son Barry is his second cousin. He explained they do not live in his household. He has not invested in activity with them. They are not dependent upon him for support or any of the other criteria involved in conflicts of interest.” Mayor Frank concludes by saying, “In fairness to the public, he felt it necessary to disclose to the public that there is a family relationship as he is participating in this matter and in this vote.”

Reasonable people will question inconsistency. The Deep Creek Pier issue is loaded with it.
William Phillips

From The Forum

The following is an offering from Deep Creek Pier and Civil War ~ Carrolton, 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.

The Forum

Many wonderful testimonials about the pier, as well as cogent arguments for rebuilding the pier, have been posted on the Daily Press forums. After poring over these accounts for weeks now, I’ve decided that we can’t allow them to be lost. They are the inspiration for the birth of a new category here at Deep Creek Pier which will become a regular feature entitled “From The Forum.”

These stories speak volumes, not only about the pier, but about our heritage and our respect for the rich history that surrounds the Deep Creek Pier, a history that is embodied in the pier itself. I’ve learned a great deal that I didn’t know about Deep Creek from those who have generously shared their own recollections and their knowledge of its history. I would hate to see these accounts lost, and this seems like an appropriate place to preserve them. I hope you agree.

If anyone would like to see their real name attached to what they’ve written, please contact me at deepcreekpier@yahoo.com

Thank You

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

This is a post from the Hampton Roads forum “James River Marina against city rebuilding Deep Creek Pier.”

Posted by: What is the deal ~ Smithfield, Virginia

The City of Newport News has been working to be rid of the watermen for some time now. The reason is they deal mostly in cash, just like the food vendor at City Hall. They’re getting rid of him, too. This is why there is no farmer’s market in Newport News.

Our watermen are not freeloaders or welfare recipients or section 8 beneficiaries. They are trying to make an honest living as their fathers and grandfathers before them. Their life is on the water, not in board rooms or back rooms.

So why does the City pick them out for special harassment? Because there are so few of them, and they are an easy target. But mainly because there is big money to be made turning the City pier over to certain private interests.

So they force the watermen to use dockage at Menchville. The City manager is aware that the first bad storm will further damage the boats.
That’s his intention, and has been all along.

But in the meantime we spend $285,000 for “art”
and $90 Million dollars for Warwick Boulevard. Over a million dollars went just to buy just one property from an already rich gynecologist.

This city needs new and responsive management.