What I Heard Walking the Grocery Store Aisles This Month

Good afternoon,

I hope you are enjoying the start of summer. The weather has been incredible over the last few days and I have enjoyed having my windows open at home with no pollen.
In May Norfolk City Council finalized and voted to approve both the operating budget and capital budget totaling about $2 billion for FY 2027. It is a strong budget with a focus on public safety, neighborhoods, economic growth, education, aesthetics and maintenance and enhancing our prized cultural facilities. Norfolk continues to focus on what matters to citizens.
May was also full of wonderful events. I enjoyed visiting the Ronald McDonald House on Colley Avenue as they introduced their rebranding. The Ronald McDonald House is a home near the medical campus where families can live while a young family member is recovering in Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters or Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. The Larchmont-Edgewater Civic League hosted the annual Memorial Day Parade that drew families from all over Norfolk. I visited many civic leagues giving them updates on the budget and information relevant to their neighborhoods.

What is my takeaway from being out and about in Norfolk as a council member? I meet new people. I hear information I didn’t even know I needed to know. I observe what improvements Norfolk needs to make to roads, parks, lighting, medians and more on a daily basis. I hear from business owners who share concerns and opportunities. I learn who owns land and buildings. I learn who leases commercial locations. And I especially hear a lot when going up and down the aisles of the grocery store! I love serving the residents of this great city.
Sail 250 is upon us. I hope you set aside time to visit the waterfront in and around downtown Norfolk to see the wonderful tall ships and celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary. In preparation for this once in a lifetime celebration Norfolk is pulling out the stops to make the city shine for our visitors from all over the world.

Enjoy June.

Cheers!

Courtney