News Flash

July 13, 2016 - Hampton resident Carole Garrison had an idea last fall, after she tried to slow down cars and trucks zipping carelessly through her flooded neighborhood, pushing waters further toward homes. And Garrison isn't one to let go of a good idea.
She may not have been the first to think about the problem, but she was the first to take action. She brought her idea of a "no wake" zone to Hampton City Council after she asked a driver to slow down, explained that he was pushing water up and into her house -- and he instead he sped up.
Council liked the idea but was unable to act because the law would not be permitted by the state.
So, Hampton City Council put the issue on their state legislative priorities list and asked the state to for permission. Poquoson joined in with regional support. It passed the General Assembly and was signed by the governor and went into effect July 1.
Garrison was present at the council's first meeting since that date, when City Council unanimously passed the measures to limit driving through flooded areas. She thanked City Council, state Sen. Mamie Locke and Del. Gordon Helsel. Then she moved forward and expressed ideas about how to move forward and enforce the new ordinance.
Garrison also had a bit of advice for others who may want to create change: "Your local government affects you more than any other government. Get involved."
In other actions, Council:
-- Voted to forgive the state the amount it has underpaid the city for its Payment in Lieu of Taxes for services on Fort Monroe. The owed amount, which was based on the assessed value of the state-controlled property, exceeds $1 million. The state's 2016 Appropriation Act required that there would be no future payments unless the city dropped its claims.
--Amended the sign ordinance and the hotel ordinance in reaction to recent court rulings.