12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 7 Number 4 Around Hampton Roads


City of Chesapeake Wins National Technology Award


The Center for Digital Government announced that the City of Chesapeake has been ranked among the top ten cities in its population category for 2012. As described by the Center, the survey recognizes local governments demonstrating Information Technology best practices to better serve their constituents while bringing value quickly and consistently, demonstrating adaptive leadership, and building trust.


"In today’s economic climate, we turn to technology to help us operate more efficiently," said Interim City Manager Amar Dwarkanath. "It’s critical that we make sure that our data is secure and that we are serving our citizens at the highest level possible given the resources we have."


Chesapeake’s entry highlighted the following:


• The development of a “governance model” to evaluate projects for business value, cost effectiveness, and the ability to leverage the investment across the enterprise in a way that demonstrates openness, transparency and accountability.


• • • • • Efforts to “virtualize” computers, which lowers the amount of money needed to purchase


and maintain personal computers and servers. Integration of the Customer Contact Center and asset management systems, which


automates 16 processes historically done manually. Implementation of a more robust and user-friendly version of Pictometry, which is used


to access Chesapeake’s imagery and data from the City’s Geographic Information Systems.


Embracing the concept of “BYOD” or “Bring Your Own Device” and building the


infrastructure to ensure that personal devices can be used safely and securely. Continuing efforts to safeguard the City’s data by protecting it against outside attacks


and developing plans for recovery in cases of disaster.


“The value of Information Technology is our ability to understand business processes and recommend strategies that meet needs across the enterprise,” said Chief Information Officer Peter Wallace. “This understanding enables us to maximize the return on investment by ensuring that a single product or course of action can benefit multiple departments and


agencies.” www.CityOfChesapeake.net


Hampton Internal Investigation of


Undercover Operation Findings Hampton City Manager Mary Bunting released the findings of the city’s internal investigation into questions about whether city or police division policies were followed in spending travel/investigative funds in a special undercover operation targeting illegal trafficking of cigarettes.


The internal investigation began in June. It followed an external investigation by the State Police that did not result in any criminal charges but did find a lack of documentation for the use of approximately $8,000 in travel/investigative funds.


Key conclusions from that report include:


The operation was initiated by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which solicited Hampton’s involvement. Initial funds came from the proceeds of a cigarette operation in another Virginia jurisdiction involving the ATF – not from local funds.


After Hampton officers found evidence of an ATF officer’s illegal activity, the operation continued. Meetings between the Hampton police and the ATF to determine the future of the operation continued through Feb. 3, 2011.


After it was clear that the ATF pulled out of the joint effort, the funds generated in the original operation remained in the operation account, and Hampton police continued the trafficking investigation under an agreement with the Hampton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office.


The Hampton Police Division adopted a policy for the operation that it copied from another Virginia locality’s churning operation. The policy did not require documentation for expenditures as does the division’s regular polices, which should have governed.


The travel expenses were for legitimate law-enforcement purposes, and the majority of money that flowed through the account was for cigarette sales and purchases.


For this operation, the police division’s expense tracking practices were lax. Cash expenditures were not always documented as required by standard police division policy, and unspent cash issued for travel and investigative purposes was not collected.


Bunting noted that she was “shocked by the failure of those involved in this operation to


follow normal HPD practices.” hampton.gov


A Special Recognition of Bravery


in Newport News At a recent City Council meeting, Newport News had the very special privilege of honoring Ms. Jailah Driver, the City’s newest and youngest hero. On September 10, 2012, Jailah’s mom, Mrs. LaQuan Driver, was having a seizure. Jailah, who is 4 years old, immediately stepped into action, and dialed 9-1-1 to get proper medical help for her Mom. Jailah’s quick thinking and courageous action saved her mother’s life. The Newport News City Council wanted to do something for Jailah, but thought a proclamation was not something a 4-year old would want. They presented her with a larger than life teddy bear, along with a framed certificate. This was the first time the Newport News City Council has recognized Jailah for her excellence, but they are sure that in the years to come it will not be the last.


Norfolk High School Named One of 10


Breakthrough Schools in the Country Norview High School, one of Norfolk’s five high schools, won an exceptional honor: Norview was named one of 10 Breakthrough Schools in the United States for outstanding efforts at improving student achievement.


The award comes through the 2013 MetLife Foundation-National Association of Secondary School Principals Breakthrough Schools program.


According to a press release issued by the National Association of Secondary School Principals today, Norview and the other nine schools will be honored at the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ Ignite 2013 Conference in National Harbor, MD, February 28-March 2.


“Norview High School has used proven, research-based strategies to ensure that students will be successful,” said Dr. Samuel T. King. “We are exceptionally proud of Norview, and we hope to replicate their successes across our division.” Norfolk Public Schools Executive Director for Secondary Schools, Dr. Denise Charbonnet, said, “Norview High School is an amazing learning environment with a great leader. The very first time I visited, I felt the excitement of students and staff who experience learning every day in a successful school where everyone believes in high expectations. This is a great honor for a most deserving school.”


The NASSP’s press release said: “Established in 2007, the MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough Schools program recognizes middle level and high schools that are high achieving or dramatically improving student achievement and serve large numbers of students living in poverty.”


"This year's class of Breakthrough Schools represents how an uncompromised focus on the things that really matter leads to sustained school improvement," said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti in the press release. "Collaborative leadership, a personalized environment, and careful attention to what is taught and how it is assessed-hallmarks of the Breaking Ranks Framework-apply in all school contexts, and the 2013 Breakthrough Schools provide us success stories that illustrate that diversity."


"Effective education depends on collaboration," said Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation said in the release. "In distinctive ways, the principals of the Breakthrough Schools have demonstrated the type of leadership that helps teachers, parents, students, and communities work together to succeed."


City of Portsmouth Employees Donate


• Keel Club Donors – 17 city employees donated $500 - $999 Navigator – five city employees donated $1,000 - $2,499 Beacon Society – two city employees donated $2500 - $9,999


• • •


Six city employee Leadership Givers increased their donations to the next level


Doug Smith, Building Official and Director of Permits and Inspections, lead the city employee campaign this year with campaign coordinators from each city department.


“Part of the United Way mission is to provide leadership that brings resources together to reduce poverty, increase educational attainment and minimize health disparities for our most vulnerable neighbors. Thank you to everyone who donated to this year’s United Way campaign! United Way impacts our community in so many great ways, and our contributions


enable this good work to continue,” Smith said. www.portsmouthva.gov


Suffolk Public Library Offers Free


Online Language Learning Program SUFFOLK, VA - Have you ever wanted to learn a different language but did not know where to start? The Suffolk Public Library System now offers Rocket Languages, a free online language learning program.


The program can be accessed from any computer using your valid Suffolk Public Library card to register at the website. Each offered language program includes downloadable MP3 files or online streaming, over 62 hours of interactive instruction, grammar and culture lessons, self-testing, interactive audio tracks, and games. Languages include Spanish, Arabic, French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, American Sign Language, Brazilian Portuguese, English for Spanish Speakers, and English for Japanese Speakers.


To access Rocket Languages, visit www.rocketlanguages.com. For more information, contact your local library: Morgan Memorial Library, 757-514-7323; North Suffolk Library,


757-514-7150; Chuckatuck Branch Library, 757-514-7310. suffolkva.us


Virginia Aquarium Composting Pilot


Program Ends with Success Last month, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center concluded a year-long Composting Pilot Program which resulted in ten restaurant and food service partners collectively diverting nearly 25 tons of organic waste away from the landfill and back into


$116,000 to United Way The City of Portsmouth concluded its 2012 United Way Campaign with city employees donating over $116,000. This successful campaign represents an 8% increase over last year’s donations of $107,000.


A total of 838 city employees pledged to donate to the United Way for this campaign including those who donated on the Leadership Giving level, which is $500 or more:


December 2012


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