12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 12 Number 7 Around Hampton Roads


The City of Chesapeake Needs Poll Workers


The Chesapeake Electoral Board is looking for civic-minded individuals who wish to serve as Officers of Election. An Officer of Election serves as a poll worker on Election Day in one of the 64 precincts in Chesapeake.


We need POLL WORKERS!


Poll workers are always in need, but especially in the Western Branch, Deep Creek, and South Norfolk areas of the City. An Officer of Election: Works at a precinct close to their home.


Helps prepare the polling place for voting by setting up voting equipment, posting signs, etc.


Aids citizens in the voting process by verifying voter information, distributing ballots, demonstrating voting equipment, etc.


Helps close the polling place by dismantling equipment, assisting Chief Officer in reporting voting results, etc.


Officers of Election work from 5 a.m. until the poll closes (after clean up and recording the results, approximately 8 p.m.) and are compensated for their service: $116.00 for working on Election Day $25.00 for attending a training class


If you would like to serve as an Officer of Election, please complete the Interest Form at www.cityofchesapeake.net/government/City-Departments/Departments/ Voter-Registrar/Working-the-Polls/officer-of-election-interest-form.htm.


Youth Commission Sponsors 2018 Candidates' Forum for School Board, Council


April 5, 2018 - The Hampton Youth Commission will sponsor a 2018 Candidates' Forum, featuring candidates for Hampton School Board and Hampton City Council, from 6-8 p.m. Monday, April 23, in the veterans conference room at the Ruppert Sargent Building, 1 Franklin Street.


There are eight City Council candidates and four School Board candidates on the ballot for the general election on Tuesday, May 1.


The deadline to register to vote or update your registration is Monday, April 9. The deadline to ask for an absentee ballot to be mailed to you is Tuesday, April 24. You can go online for more voting information.


Here's a list of all the candidates. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast their ballot.


For more information on the forum contact Joseph Andrews at 727-6463 or email joseph.andrews@hampton.gov.


Newport News Arts Commission Accepting Grant Applications


The Newport News Arts Commission is now accepting grant applications for FY19 (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019). The Arts Commission provides funding for programs in the performing and fine arts fields. To be eligible for grant funding, organizations must have been in existence for at least one year, have a Board of Directors and demonstrate visible support from the community.


Activities must take place within Newport News or within a reasonable radius of the City of Newport News, or clearly serve the City’s residents. Information and applications are available online Opens a New Window. or by calling 757- 247- 8950. Grant applications are due at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 4, 2018.


Real Estate Tax Relief Program Accepting Applications


Community Information Sessions to be Held Across the City


The Real Estate Tax Relief Program for Senior or Disabled Residents is accepting 2018 applications now through June 1. Norfolk homeowners who live in their homes may qualify for tax relief or deferment of taxes if they meet certain eligibility criteria:


65 years of age or totally and permanently disabled Live in the property


Combined income of owners and all relatives living in home cannot exceed $67,000 per year • Net worth, excluding the home, cannot exceed $350,000


Relief will be provided as an exemption or deferral up to the average assessment of $203,386. Taxes on amounts over $203,386 must be paid. Applicants must apply for relief every year


Residents may apply at any Department of Human Services office. For more information: Call: 757-823-1130


High Street Sanitary Sewer Relocation Project Begins


PORTSMOUTH, VA – Beginning Tuesday, April 3 – August 2018, Shenandoah Street between Nansemond and High streets will be closed for the High Street Sanitary Sewer Relocation Project Gaston Brothers Utilities (GBU) will be performing work on the High Street Sanitary Sewer Relocation Project for the City of Portsmouth. The work includes the replacement of the sanitary sewer and water utilities and requires the temporary closure of portions of Shenandoah and High streets. GBU will exercise all available measures to maintain access to homes within the project area and make every attempt to minimize the duration of the impact to the community. Gaston Brothers Utilities is coordinating every aspect of the project with the City of Portsmouth, Department of Public Utilities. If you have any questions during construction of this project, please contact the GBU office at (757) 545-3206 or our field superintendent, Mike Archbell at (757) 478-9741.


VA Department of Forestry Burn Law Is In Effect


The Suffolk Fire Marshal’s Office would like to remind citizens the Virginia Department of Forestry 4:00 p.m. Burn Law is in effect through April 30th. Open burning with a permit is allowed from 4:00 p.m. to midnight only. The Virginia Department of Forestry Burn Law, as described above, also applies to recreational fires.


This law prohibits burning before 4:00 p.m. Winds usually calm down and the relative humidity levels are on the increase after 4:00 p.m., both of which reduce the potential for a debris fire or any other open air fire to escape your control.


In addition to the criminal violations, those who allow a fire to escape are liable for the cost of suppressing the fire as well as any damage caused to other’s property.


The “Summer Burn Ban” will be in effect May 1st through September 30th.


For more information on the Virginia Department of Forestry 4:00 p.m. Burn Law or the “Summer Burn Ban”, contact the Suffolk Fire Marshal’s Office at 757-514-4550, or via email at fireprevbureau@suffolkva.us.


ViBe Creative District Awards First Two Matching Grants


Virginia Beach's ViBe Creative District has awarded the first two matching grants to businesses in the District. The program was initiated last month by Virginia Beach Economic Development in collaboration with the Office of Cultural Affairs and ViBe Creative District.


Governor Ralph Northam announced today that Commune Bakery LLC will add five new jobs and invest $163,000 to create a new 1,800-square-foot commercial bakery at 532 Virginia Beach Blvd. in the ViBe Creative District. As part of this project, Commune Bakery LLC commits to purchasing more than $200,000 of Virginia grown grains, eggs, milk, meat, seafood, fruits and vegetables over the next three years."


"Commune Bakery LLC's continued growth and investment in the City of Virginia Beach is great news for Virginia's agriculture sector and for our economy overall," said Governor Northam. "Investments like these create jobs and open new markets for Virginia's farmers.


Today's announcement is a great win for agriculture in Virginia as we continue with our ongoing efforts to build a new Virginia economy."


Kevin Jamison is the co-owner of two Commune restaurants located at 501 Virginia Beach Blvd. in Virginia Beach and 759 Granby Street in Norfolk as well as New Earth Farm located at 1885 Indian River Road in Virginia Beach. Co-owner Ishiah White is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and the current lead baker and kitchen manager at both restaurant locations and has worked for the company since its inception in early 2015.


The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services worked with the City of Virginia Beach and Commune Bakery LLC to secure this project for Virginia. Governor Northam approved a $15,000 grant from the Governor's Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund, which will be matched with a $15,000 grant through the ViBe Creative District Matching Grant program.


"In the three years we have been in business, we have been using over 90% locally


Email: seniortaxrelief@norfolk.gov Visit: www.Norfolk.gov/seniortaxrelief


The Department of Human Services (which administers the program) is holding a series of community meetings through the city to assist applicants in filling out the forms and to answer questions about the program.


These sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the following dates and locations:


Workforce Development Center, 201 E. Little Creek Road February 15; March 8; April 5 and May 10 Pretlow Anchor Branch Library, 111 W. Ocean View Ave. February 27; March 13; April 17 and May 22 Janaf Branch Library, 124 Janaf Shopping Center March 27 and April 24


Berkley Neighborhood Service Center, 925 South Main Street May 7


April 2018


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