12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 9 Number 4 Around Hampton Roads


Applicants Needed for City Boards and Commissions


The Chesapeake City Council is seeking residents who may be interested in serving on various boards and commissions. Boards and commissions provide a vital service to various City departments, agencies and City Council.


Citizens wishing to serve must complete an application form. Applications are due in the City Clerk's office by January 2, 2015. City Council will appoint candidates for these vacancies at its January 27, 2015 meeting. No appointments are made during August or December.


Applications are currently being accepted for the following City Council appointed vacancies:


Chesapeake Board of Historic and Architectural Review — 2 appointments Chesapeake Cable Television Commission — 1 appointment Chesapeake Committee on Aging — 2 appointments Chesapeake Community Criminal Justice Board — 3 appointments (Citizens/Attorney) Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare (CIBH) Board — 1 appointment (Individual receiving services from CIBH) Chesapeake OPEB Finance Board — 1 appointment Chesapeake Youth Committee — 1 appointment Fine Arts Commission — 1 appointment Hampton Roads Disabilities Board — 2 appointments


(Physical Disability or Family Member Representative and Visual Disability or Family Member Representative) Law Library Board — 2 appointments Stormwater Committee — 4 appointments (3 Regular and 1 Alternate Member) Towing Advisory Board — 2 appointments (Towing/Recovery Operator Community) Utility Review Board — 2 appointments For more information or to apply, contact the City Clerk's office at 382-6151.


Hampton Named Top City in Nation for Public Sector Information, Communications Technology


Hampton has been named one of the top cities in the country for best practices in public sector information and communications technology. In a news release announcing winners of the 2014 Digital Cities Survey, Todd Sanders, executive director of the Center for Digital Government, said: “This year’s Digital Cities’ winners brought about impressive change across all aspects of government by leveraging information technology investments to expand open government, citizen participation and shared services.” Download the release and get more information at www.digitalcommunities.com/survey/cities Hampton has been ranked among the survey’s top 10 for 13 of the past 14 years. This year Hampton tied with Durham, N.C. for 4th place among cities with a population of 125,000-249,000.


Open to all cities in the U.S., the Digital Cities Survey focuses on results achieved by cities through the use of technology in operating efficiencies, realizing strategic objectives, innovative or creative solutions or approaches, effective collaboration and transparency measures. Sanders said: “winning cities spanned the nation, indicating a trend that more and more cities are making it a priority that digital government be easier to access, navigate and interact with.”


Mayor George Wallace said the survey highlights Hampton’s innovative efforts to serve residents - including a new website launched in 2012 - and to help everyone get the information they need to successfully live, work and play in Hampton.“We have made special efforts to engage Hampton’s citizens, so I’m happy to see that those efforts are not only successful, but recognized by the survey,” Wallace added.


Robin McCormick, Hampton’s communications strategist and head of the Marketing and Outreach Department, said: "Hampton has long been noted for its engaged citizenry, but as this award reflects, we continue to expand engagement by utilizing technology. With online surveys, as well as social media, more of our residents can easily offer their views on policy issues and spending priorities."


Leslie Fuentes, director of information technology for Hampton, said the survey shows that “we continue our tradition of using technology as an enabler to help us be more productive, more innovative and more responsive to our citizens’ needs.”


The survey’s top 10: (1) Winston-Salem, N.C. (2) Augusta, Ga. (3) Salt Lake City, Tacoma, Wash. (4) Durham, N.C., Hampton (5) Scottsdale, Ariz. (6) Springfield, Mo. (7) Fort Collins, Colo. (8) Chula Vista, Calif., Hollywood, Fla., Pasadena, Calif. (9) Alexandria, Va. (10) Olathe, Kansas.


The Center for Digital Government is a “media and research company focused exclusively on public-sector innovation for state and local government.” The center has been taking the survey since 2001, and Hampton has been in the top 10 every year except 2012, when the city did not submit an application.


The top 10 ranked cities were honored Nov. 20 at a special awards ceremony during the National League of Cities’ annual conference in Austin, Texas.


Read the Hampton Roads Messenger online 24/7 www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com


Can Your Library Fines in Newport News


Donations replace fines during the holiday season


Newport News library patrons can make donations of food and personal items over the holiday season instead of paying fines for overdue materials.


The Can Your Fines program allows a nonperishable, nonexpired food item or personal item to take the place of a fine for overdue materials now through Wednesday, December 31, at all Newport News Public Libraries. All items collected will be donated to the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula.


Can Your Fines applies to outstanding fines for long-overdue items that are returned, but does not apply to lost or damaged materials or to fees charged once an account had been sent to the collection agency.


The Newport News Public Library System’s Can Your Fines program has been a holiday tradition for more than 25 years.


nngov.com


City Manager Names Public Works Director in Norfolk


David L. Ricks has more than 30 years of major facility program management


City Manager Marcus D. Jones has named David L. Ricks, P.E. as the Director of Public Works. Ricks has more than 30 years of major facility program management, infrastructure regional planning, construction contract management, and financial administration.


“David will be a tremendous addition to our team,” said City Manager Marcus D. Jones. “Throughout his naval and civilian career, David stands out as a leader in engineering and management and I am thrilled to welcome him to Norfolk.”


Previously, Ricks served as the Director of Facilities and Transportation Services in Fulton County, Georgia. In this role since September 2009, Ricks managed a staff of more than 400 personnel and an operating budget of more than $50 million. As Director, he oversaw major renovation and construction projects such as an award-winning adolescent and family center, a regional health center and fire station. He also oversaw the maintenance of the County’s fleet of vehicles and 369 buildings as well as maintaining hundreds of miles of roads and bridges throughout the county.


Prior to his role in Fulton County, Ricks served as the Director of Public Works for Montgomery County, Ohio. During his six year tenure, Ricks was responsible for the county’s solid waste operations, managed an operating budget of more than $40.5 million and oversaw more than $60 million in capital improvement projects.


A Navy veteran, Ricks served for more than 20 years with distinction, receiving numerous awards to include the Navy Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Volunteer Service Medal. Ricks began his career as a Public Works Officer moving up the ranks to the position of Deputy Regional Engineer for Naval District Washington D.C. As Deputy, Ricks was responsible for the facility management of nearly 500 structures across nine geographic dispersed offices, valued more than $1.3 billion. He managed an annual $25 million capital improvement program including project development, design and acquisition. He also developed the Naval District Washington Strategic Investment Plan, an $80 million multi-year concept to improve the quality of historic facilities and infrastructure, maximize space and meet new force protection standards.


Portsmouth’s 17th Annual Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival Promises Joy and Delight for All


(Portsmouth, VA) - The sounds of the season will come alive on Saturday, December 13th from Noon - 6 pm as musical groups and roving performers, of all kinds, fill the streets and venues of Olde Towne Portsmouth at the 17th Annual Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival.


This year features performances by Mike DeMoss, Eric Taylor, Elmo Lawrence, Fire & Ice, Total Arts, Tim Nolan, the Colonial Singers of Williamsburg, local school choirs and much more. Launched in 1998, this free festival has become the City of Portsmouth’s signature holiday event. The Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival is a musical tribute to the spirit of the holiday season. Stroll along High Street and enjoy performances, children’s activities, re-enactors in period attire, carolers and strolling characters for a magical event that is not to be missed. Guests may also stop by any of the 10 fireplace locations, hosted by the Portsmouth Fire Department, along High Street for a chance to warm-up.


For more information, please call the Portsmouth Visitors Center at 757-393- 5111 or visit www.portsvaevents.com/othmf/index.html for complete schedule of entertainment.


Topgolf International to Create 450 Jobs in Virginia Beach


Golf entertainment leader Topgolf International, Inc. officially unveiled Virginia Beach as its third location planned in Virginia. Topgolf® will begin construction on the 65,000-square-foot facility in December, and the site is expected to open to the public in fall 2015.


Topgolf Virginia Beach will be located at I-264 and Newtown Road off of Greenwich Road. The facility will be a couple of miles from Town Center Virginia Beach and a 15- to 20-minute drive from the oceanfront resort as well as downtown Norfolk. The


December 2014


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