12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 6 Number 8


Around Hampton Roads Cox and CTDI Hold Grand Opening


Gary McCollum, Vice President and Regional Manager, Cox Communications of Hampton Roads( 3rd from left), Gerald Parsons, Chairman and CEO, CTDI (3rd from right) are joined by Cox and CTDI executives to cut the ribbon on new Chesapeake facility.


Cox Communications and Communications Test Design Inc. (CTDI) held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of a new, 72,000 square foot distribution center.  by Cox to manage its supply chain. Testing, repairing and shipping of cable equipment will also occur at this facility. Cox and CTDI will invest over $4 million and create 50 new jobs over a three-year period. Cox Communications is a major employer in Chesapeake. Its regional headquarters is located off of Crossways Boulevard in Chesapeake.


Community Rallies to Support Hampton Hero


Last month the Hampton Police Division hosted a cookout to raise funds for Hampton hero Kelvin White. Due to the generosity of city employees and local residents, over $8,000 was collected, and donations continue to come in.


White was injured last fall when he stopped a robbery at a Hampton grocery store. He has been unable to work since then due to a lengthy rehabilitation period.


Kelvin White and Hampton Police Chief Charles "Chuck" Jordan


On October 21, 2011 White was making a delivery to a Hampton Food Lion. As he entered the rear of the business he was alerted by store employees that a robbery was in progress and explosive devices were strapped to employees. Armed with only a pocket knife, White followed the store manager and one of the suspects to the front of the business,


grabbing the suspect from behind in an attempt to subdue him. A second suspect appeared  suspect to break from his grasp.


  were injured during the robbery.


“Although Mr. White was quite humbled by the attention and notoriety he received, he was  only after Chief Jordan’s persistence did we learn of Mr. White’s situation. Chief Jordan’s mission was to do whatever he could to help Mr. White and his family,” said Cheryl Steele of the Hampton Police Division.


“People from all over Hampton Roads stopped by that day in support of Kelvin White,” she added. “It really touched him that so many people cared.”


Residents can donate to “Kelvin’s Fund” at any Chartway Federal Credit Union. (Checks may be made payable to Kelvin White with a note in the memo section “Kelvin’s Fund.”)


Chrysler Museum’s Board Approves


Expansion and Renovation Plan Initiative is major component of the Chrysler’s $45 million Capital Campaign


NORFOLK, Va. – The Chrysler Museum of Art Board of Trustees voted yesterday to move forward with plans for a major expansion and renovation of the Museum in 2013. Architectural plans have been approved, and the Board will solicit construction bids this spring. The Museum will begin construction in July 2012, with completion scheduled for early 2014.


The expansion is part of a $45 million capital campaign that has been in a quiet phase for two years. To date, the Museum has raised $41 million. The campaign has three primary components: the new Chrysler Museum Glass Studio, the building expansion and renovation, 


The expansion project will transform nearly every aspect of the Museum, which currently has   Museum to exhibit more works from its world-class collection and will provide opportunities to showcase new acquisitions.


  the Museum’s renowned Glass collection, which includes more than 10,000 works of art.


 catering facilities in a location in the front of the building. It is anticipated the restaurant will be able to operate beyond the Museum hours. The exterior entrance will open to Mary’s Garden and will provide additional outside dining options.


The renovations are designed to improve visitor circulation and access. A major component of the project will upgrade antiquated heating and air conditioning systems to better preserve  costs, which currently run $60,000 per month.


The project requires that all 30,000 works of art will need to be moved to safekeeping to


April 2012


protect them from the construction process. Portions of the Museum will be closed as the art is moved beginning this summer, and the entire main building is expected to be closed throughout 2013. The grand reopening is expected in April 2014.


“Our main building may not be available to the general public during this process, but the Chrysler’s mission will proceed undeterred,” says William Hennessey, the Museum’s director. “In fact, we plan to launch the greatest art-into-the-public effort in our history. Not only will the Glass Studio and Moses Myers House remain open, we will establish a satellite Museum inside MacArthur Center, a destination shopping mall in downtown Norfolk. Additionally, we will convert the Norfolk History Museum into an art gallery dedicated to our stellar collection of American art.”


The Chrysler will also partner with other museums and galleries across Hampton Roads to put its works on view. Art exhibitions and installations are currently being planned for innovative public places. The Museum will bring artists to the area to not only work in public spaces, but to leave their art in public spaces.


Museum educators and curators will be part of an active outreach program for school children in addition to adults, and those efforts will be supplemented with a number of Internet-based educational initiatives.


The construction project is expected to cost $24 million, however the exact budget will not be 


The expansion follows the addition of the new Chrysler Museum Glass Studio, located adjacent to the Museum. Since the November opening, visitation has increased 39 percent, and the Museum has had tremendous response from visitors to the Glass Studio’s free daily demonstrations, educational classes and Visiting Artist Series. The 7,000-square-foot Glass Studio along with the Museum’s glass collection is the impetus of the region’s emergence as the East Coast center for glass.


“These improvements will create a complete Museum campus,” adds Hennessey. “Vibrant landscaping will connect the Museum and the Glass Studio, and the overall visitor experience will be greatly enhanced. We are well on our way to secure essential funding for the Museum through the endowments portion of the campaign as well. Our Board of Trustees has adopted a strategic plan for the Museum that ensures our continued strength and vitality as a community resource.”


Newport News Tourism Zones to


Provide Tax Incentives Businesses 


The Newport News City Council voted unanimously in favor of adopting a Newport News 


 the Patrick Henry retail area, and the Greater Hilton retail corridor. They were created after the  prospective hospitality-related businesses and to expand existing ones.


Businesses that qualify will be eligible for incentives based upon capital investment and the number of jobs created. Lower minimum thresholds will be set for existing Newport News 


                   this incentive available to both existing and future tourism businesses. This project was a collaborative effort between the city’s Development Department and the Tourism Division, with support and guidance from the Newport News Hospitality Association, Virginia Tourism Corporation, and many other community leaders in our city.


According to the city’s Department of Development, a number of businesses have already requested information on the program. For more information about the program, contact Bryan Witt, Development Senior Project Coordinator, at (757) 926-3803.


Virginia Sports Hall of Fame to Honor


Richmond Golfer Glenn Mullian Presentation to take place during Annual Induction Banquet on April 28 in Portsmouth


 of the state’s premier amateur golfers, Richmonder Glenn Mullian, at its 41st Annual Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, April 28, 2012 in Portsmouth.


 2010 Senior Golfer of the Year, is today walking six miles a week, ten months after suffering extensive external and internal injuries and losing part of his leg, as a result of a single car accident on I-64 near Charlottesville. “It is with respect and awe that we honor Glenn, not just for his athletic achievements but also for the strength and resolve he has demonstrated in his  Glenn has said ‘I will’, not ‘I can’t’, which is the attribute that separates the good from the great athletes. He is truly the embodiment of that characteristic, and we are privileged to present him with the Courage Award, which ironically he will receive just prior to the anniversary of the accident that changed his life.”


The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors unanimously endorsed the recommendation  ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation,” says David Tynch, Chairman of the Board. “I think it will be a very emotional moment when Glenn comes into the ballroom at the Renaissance Hotel on April 28 with his very supportive wife Debbie and other members of his family as well as many friends and admirers.”


Suffolk to Host Community Meeting on


Proposed Operating Budget SUFFOLK, Virginia - The Department of Budget and Strategic Planning will host a community meeting to provide information and answer questions on the City’s Proposed FY ‘13 Operating and Capital Budget. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 6 p.m. and will


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