12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 14 Number 3 Around Hampton Roads


CPS Academy Applications Now Available Online


Applications for Chesapeake Public Schools' academy programs are now available online until December 13, 2019. Available academies include the Science & Medicine Academy, Grassfield High School Stem Academy and the International Baccalaureate Program. Visit cpschools.com/academy- applications-now-available-online/ for details.


View Hampton Mayor's 'State


above meetings, you can provide input by completing an online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020-2024ConsolidatedPlanSurvey. For more information regarding the Consolidated Plan, please contact Priscilla Green via email at greenpa@nnva.gov.


Persons requiring special accessibility accommodations in order to attend the December public meetings should contact Ms. Thornwell at least three (3) days prior to the meetings at 757-928-2647 between the hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.


Refreshments will be served.


of the City' Speech "Waves of Change" was the theme last week when Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck gave the annual state of the city address. The mayor highlighted some of the many changes in the city over the years, from an indoor mall to Peninsula Town Center, the closure of Fort Monroe, the growth of the Veteran Affairs Medical Center and the revitalization of Phoebus. "Why do people want to live in Hampton?" Tuck asked. "For the third year in a row Hampton has been ranked one of the 25 most affordable beach towns in America... And just last month, Hampton ranked 8th on a list of affordable waterfront communities published online by USA TODAY." You can see Tuck's speech, and hear how Hampton City Schools became 100 percent accredited, by going online. The mayor's speech can also be seen on the city's TV channel - Cox 47 and FIOS 22 - daily at 8:30 p.m.


hampton.gov


Newport News Citizen Input Desired for Housing and


Norfolk Named #1 Digital City


in America NORFOLK, VA – The Center for Digital Government has named Norfolk as America’s 2019 Top Digital City (for cities with populations of 125,000 to 249,999). Now in its 19th year, the annual survey recognizes cities using technology to tackle social challenges, enhance services, strengthen cybersecurity and more. The award recognized Norfolk for its use of technology to support a city goal of “promoting inclusive economic growth” and for strategies and innovations including:


Fostering a regional approach to enhancing technology through the vision of a regional fiber ring and cybersecurity policies


Redesigning the Norfolk.gov website


Launching MyNorfolk, a new citizen-centric mobile app and online resident portal for service requests


Expanding the Open Data Portal with more than 35 commonly requested data sets and facilitating the use of data to make informed decisions using Power BI and other technology tools.


Community Development Plan The City of Newport News is undertaking a Five-Year Consolidated Planning process and the development of an Annual Action Plan with respect to Housing, Community Planning and Development issues to determine the best use of resources to provide affordable housing, suitable living environments and expansion of economic/job opportunities. Available resources include the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Funds and the HOME Investment Partnerships Entitlement Funds.


The City is seeking citizen input regarding affordable housing needs, homeless/special needs housing and non-housing community development needs to be addressed with these resources. The City is sponsoring two (2) public meetings on the following dates:


 Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 12 noon at Denbigh Community Center. Located at 15198 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23608.


 Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 6 p.m. at Brooks Crossing Innovation and Opportunity Center.


Located at 550 30th Street, Newport News, VA 23607 (enter on Piggly Wiggly side of building).


Consolidated Housing and Community Development Funding may be used as follows:


CDBG will be used in accordance with the following HUD Broad National Objectives:


1. Activities that will benefit low and moderate income persons; 2. Activities that aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; and 3. Activities that meet needs having a particular urgency.


HOME Funds will be used in accordance with the following major program activities:


1. Expanding the supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing;


2. Strengthening the ability of state and local governments to provide housing; and


3. Expanding the capacity of non-profit, community-based housing development organizations.


Requests for Community Development Block Grant financial assistance for 2020-2021 will be accepted at the office of the Newport News Redevelopment & Housing Authority (NNRHA) located at 227 27th Street, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607 or the Department of Development, at 2400 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607 through Monday, January 13, 2020 at 5 p.m. Application forms may be obtained online at www.nnrha.com; at the NNRHA office; via email (athornwell@ nnrha.org) or by telephone request to Ms. Alicia Thornwell, Grants Administrator, at 757-928-2647.


All interested persons are invited to attend one of the public meetings at the above noted date, time and place for the purpose of expressing their views regarding the inclusion of activities in the Five Year Consolidated Plan and the 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan. If you cannot attend one of the


Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander, Ph.D, said he’s “honored that the City of Norfolk has earned this distinction. We will remain committed to using technology to improve transparency, address economic and social challenges, and provide great services. Norfolk is collaborating with regional partners to enhance our Technology Zone, connect the city to high-speed transcontinental fiber optic cable, and continue our work to make lower cost broadband services available to every resident and business.”


Chief Information Officer Steven DeBerry, who leads the Information Technology Department, has worked during the last four years to rebuild and refresh the city’s technology infrastructure. “This award validates the focus of our work to embrace an information technology strategy that delivers innovative and effective technology to connect residents to their city government,” DeBerry said. “We support resiliency efforts and enhance public safety while positioning Norfolk as a regional leader in championing technology that encourages entrepreneurial and economic development.”


Norfolk is the only Hampton Roads city to win the award and beat out cities such as Augusta, GA, Baton Rouge, LA, Pasadena, CA and Alexandria, VA in the population category.


Portsmouth Residents Can


December 2019


Register for eBills Pay Online Receiving and paying tax bills in Portsmouth just got easier. Register today for eBills and pay online. Possibly simplify your life and go paperless. Using the eBills system one can view current bills, billing history, and more. Visit https://www.portsmouthva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7729/eBills-NOW for details.


Holiday Jingle Mingle at


Whaleyville Recreation Center SUFFOLK, VA - For citizens looking for a fun family night out for the holidays, Whaleyville Recreation Center’s “Holiday Jingle Mingle” is the event for you.


Join the City of Suffolk on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. as they welcome the arrival of Santa, make hot cocoa at our cocoa station, create holiday crafts, and play fun-filled elf games.


Participants will have the opportunity to take a picture with Santa at no cost. Preregistration deadline is Friday, December 6, 2019. The fee, per child, is a new unwrapped toy. Parents can enjoy dinner for $6. Payments may be made in the form of check, money order, or debit/credit card. The Whaleyville Recreation Center is located at 132 Robertson Street, Suffolk, VA 23438. For more information, call 757- 514-7100.


Email your event photos to: photos@hamptonroadsmessenger.com


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