Good afternoon,
I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays with family and friends. We had a ball, and no, I didn’t stay awake to see midnight on New Year’s Eve! The West Ghent Tree Lighting on December 23 along with Porchella (live music on front porches in the neighborhood) on December 27 and visiting Winterfest at the Battleship Wisconsin were some of the great highlights of the season.
The Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center was wildly successful in 2025 with the advent of the weekly cruises from Carnival. Here are some fascinating statistics:
- Nauticus had the Carnival Sunshine every week since February 11, 2025
- Approximately 7,000 cruise passengers embarked and debarked on a weekly basis
- Approximately 338,959 passenger visits took place, beating the projections by 40,000 cruise travelers
- And, about 100,000 crew members were part of the Norfolk visits
These stats underscore and represent the enormous economic impact the cruise business has on Norfolk and in the region. It is amazing the see the foot traffic and passengers coming and going when I drive downtown during one of the cruise turnarounds. The team at Nauticus should be commended for making this happen smoothly for these vacation-goers.
The Winterfest at the Battleship Wisconsin this year welcomed over 100,000 visitors. These amazing holiday lights extended from the Pagoda to the Wisconsin and throughout Town Point Park. On December 18, Winterfest was announced the winner of the national ABC-TV’s The Great Christmas Light Fight. This award put Norfolk in the national spotlight.
Safety is strong in Norfolk and crime continues to decline. Look at the data comparing 2024 vs 2025:
Crime has continued to drop over the last several years and the city is moving in the right direction in terms of safety.
Reflecting on the last 7 1/2 years on Norfolk City Council, I have found serving the residents of Norfolk and especially those in Ward 2, to be rewarding, challenging, and fulfilling. It is a great feeling to have played a significant role in addressing major challenges while equally successfully addressing the myriad of individual concerns.
I feel there is more to be accomplished in Norfolk in the coming years and I want to be a force in making these accomplishments a reality.
In this spirit, I am pleased to announce that I am seeking re-election for Norfolk City Council, Ward 2. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. I ask for your support and your vote.
I have been a strong advocate for safety/safe neighborhoods, education, economic development and addressing flooding and sea-level rise. I encourage you to visit my website to learn about what has been accomplished over the years I have served. Also, you will see my priorities outlined for Ward 2.
Cheers,
Courtney
Love the new Selden Market sign
Winterfest at Nauticus
West Ghent Tree Lighting
Grady on his Christmas blanket living his best life