Good Afternoon!
I hope this email finds you well on a Friday afternoon.
Did you know there won’t be elections for Norfolk City Council or Norfolk School Board in May of an election year? A new law from the General Assembly is now in place that moves local elections from May to November. Thus, elections for the representative of the five wards in Norfolk (I represent Ward 2), will now take place on the first Tuesday of November, 2022. The two super wards (6 and 7) along with the Mayor will take place November 2024. The idea behind the legislation is to allow more voters to weigh in on local elections as there is stronger voter turnout in November elections. The five wards will run in cycle with those running for U.S. House of Representatives. The two wards along with the Mayor will run in cycle with the presidential election. As a result, my term will be extended 6 months next year from July 1 – December 31. So, while I would have been on the ballot in May 2022, I will seek re-election and be on the ballot in November 2022.
I toured the new FEMA vaccination clinic that opened on Wednesday, March 31. Three thousand doses/day will be administered for 8 weeks (9:00am-7:00pm daily) at the Norfolk location – Macy’s at Military Circle Mall – by appointment only. I am thrilled to have this mass vaccination clinic in Norfolk to serve our residents and region. Please sign up for the vaccine at vaccinate.virginia.gov if you haven’t already. If you have registered and you receive an email you are not expecting or a number on your phone you don’t expect, please respond as it may be someone calling/emailing you to schedule your vaccination appointment.
It is budget season! City Manager Chip Filer introduced the proposed FY2022 budget this past Tuesday night. It is a strong budget focusing on council priorities, which are your priorities. We will have budget workshops and hearings in the coming weeks. To see the proposed budget, click here: https://www.norfolk.gov/908/Budget-Documents.
The new Farmers Market in Ghent debuts this Friday, April 2 on the grounds of Blair Middle School on Colley Avenue. The Ghent Business Association has worked tirelessly over the past year to make this a reality and I look forward to seeing the 27+ local farmers and vendors. The market will take place every 1st and 3rd Friday, April – September, 4:00pm-7:00pm.
Who knew a 3 year old dog would suddenly become afraid of thunder? Grady has a new “thunder shirt” to calm him. As I write this email, he is sitting at my feet wishing the storm would go away.
Be well. Stay positive. It’s lighter later and the temps are rising! Go spring!
Cheers!
Courtney
Celebrating the new FEMA vaccine clinic in Norfolk
Groundbreaking at the new ODU Health Sciences Building
Release the Kraken… new public art in Chelsea. Here with artist Larry Bage
