John Padgett was introduced as the Rotarian of the Day. John is currently the Managing Partner of the Norfolk office of McGuireWoods. In addition, he is a Past District Governor of District 7600 as well as a Past President of our club and Major Donor to the Rotary International Foundation. John introduced Norfolk’s Mayor Kenneth Alexander to give the club an update on what’s been happening in the city. Before being elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020 as Mayor of Norfolk, Dr. Alexander served in the Virginia Senate from 2012-2016 and the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002 to 2012. In addition, Dr. Alexander is currently the President of Metropolitan Funeral Services and the Chancellor of a network of career community colleges.
Mayor Alexander thanked John for his kind introduction and he remarked that he had worked with somebody at each table at some point during his years in public service. There were three areas that the Mayor wanted to emphasize, Money, Public Safety, and Projects Happening in Norfolk.
Money
This year’s budget for the City of Norfolk is $1.8 Billion. Real estate taxes contribute around 34% of that amount. 97% of the land in Norfolk has been developed and 37% of the real estate in Norfolk is non-taxed as it is owned by governments, religious organizations, and other non-profit entities including hospitals. The largest line item in the budget is Norfolk Public Schools which receives an allocation of 37%. In 2021, the City of Norfolk lead the region in new job creation, the number of new projects initiated, and the amount of private investment.
Public Safety
Mayor Alexander acknowledged that Norfolk has experienced an uptick in violent crime. The City has been aggressively trying to fill 200 vacancies within the Norfolk Police Department. Norfolk is known for having a high-caliber Police Academy and one of the issues that they are encountering is talented officers being “poached” by other municipalities. The city is also enhancing early intervention efforts with organizations such as the YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs. Code enforcement has also taken a higher profile as a means to enhance public safety.
Notable Projects
The Military Circle Entertainment Project is down to three finalists with the “Arena” in the current lead. This is still a work in progress with no firm commitments made. The casino project is moving forward. The mayor’s goal is for no taxpayer money to be used to get it up and running. The anticipated tax revenue from the casino is between $34-44 million annually. This money will be earmarked to build or renovate 25 schools.
St. Paul’s Transformation is ongoing. Residents from about 600 units have been relocated. The mayor stated that the affected families have been the recipients of programs that have had measurable impacts. 100% of the high school 10 graders displaced three years ago have received their high school diploma. The average earned income of displaced families has gone from $14,000 to $21,000. The poverty rate for those moved has been cut in half. Almost all of the children moved have Health Insurance.
The City’s Flood Mitigation Plan is moving forward. It is currently projected as a $1.8 billion project with significant Federal support.
Q&A
The mayor was kind enough to entertain questions from the audience on a wide range of topics.
Club Business
President Laurie Harrison called the meeting to order and Sigur Whitaker accompanied by Pam Tubbs on piano lead us in music with “Sing Rotarians” and “It’s a Grand Ol’ Flag”. After the Pledge of Allegiance and Four Way Test, Kelly Stefanko gave the invocation.
The visitation report included an update about Rev. Johnathan Stanley’s battle with throat cancer and news that Dr. Steve Jones was beginning proton therapy.
There were numerous guests and a visiting Rotarian, Jennifer Priest, from the Norfolk Sunrise Club on hand to hear Mayor Alexander’s remarks at the meeting.
The Club was reminded of the following upcoming events:
- The District 7600 Conference is being held Thursday, October 13, 2022, through Sunday, October 16, 2022, at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa
- The Rotary Club of Norfolk Golf Tournament is taking place on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at Cypress Point Golf Course. So far, 48 golfers have registered to play and 75 Rotarians and guests have signed up for the evening social. Proceeds will help RI’s effort to eradicate polio.
- The next service project is October 29, 2022, from 4-7 pm. It is a “Trunk or Treat” in conjunction with The Families of Autistic Children in Tidewater. More information is available on our ClubRunner site.
- The Club will have a float in this year’s Grand Illumination Parade on November 19, 2022. Details are still being worked out.
Fines and Happy Bucks
- Lois Kercher was happy to have visited the new Children’s Mental Health Hospital in Norfolk.
- Joey Rothgery has been named the PrimePlus Board President for the new term.
- Ann Baldwin announced that she is a first-time great-grandparent.
- Bob Batcher confessed to his cell phone going off during the last meeting.
- Linwood Beckner spoke of the skinny-dipping exploits of Ann Baldwin. The remarks were luckily rated “PG”.
- Chris Bugg had something going on with a Rotary T-shirt.
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