Residents fighting against trash

Hollywood/ Jericho Civic League members don’t have much of a tolerance level for trash when it takes up residency in their community. Monday they declared war on every sign of debris within sight. This was the beginning of a massive clean-up campaign that will be part of the city wide GLAD Bag-A-Thon, which will extend through the week.

Civic league vice president Richard Myrick said this is the fifth consecutive year the group has mounted the effort. He also said that he has no problem approaching residents who appear to be lax on clearing trash from their surroundings. “There is a lot each one of us can do to clean up our neighborhood.”

“Debris defaces our community and it makes the property values go down. People can do better than what they are doing. I strongly support this community clean-up campaign,” said John Riddick, a civic league member.

The city will collect large appliances on Wednesday, and other collected trash will be picked-up on Thursday and Friday.

Pair win prizes at bank

Commerce Bank’s new regional headquarters, on North Main Street, officially opened on Valentine’s Day, but the celebration went on into March. Hundreds visited the bank and entered the sweepstakes drawings and picked up souvenir gifts from the institution.

On April 1st, drawings were held to select the winners, and vice president, Gail F. Pruden said the winners were thrilled with their prizes.

Sandra L. Wright and Janet Davidson were chosen. Davidson and her husband Mark will be taking a Caribbean cruise, as soon as arrangements are made through Art Jones Travel Service. Wright, who won a retirement certificate of deposit, will use the newspaper article to let her husband, who is at sea with the Navy, learn about their good fortune.

Nansemond River tops Lakeland

Nansemond River, leading only 4-1 at the end of four innings, ripped the game open in the top of the fifth, as they produced an eight run inning that the Cavaliers could not overcome.

Grayson Craun pitched the first six innings for Nansemond River, and Mike Byrum closed the game in the seventh. Lakeland picked up its only run in the bottom of the second inning.

When Nansemond River picked up two runs in the sixth inning, their scoring finally ended with a total output that clobbered the Cavaliers 14-1.

Four homes for Garden Week

One of the state’s oldest tourist attractions takes place from April 23-30. More than 40,000 visitors from the U.S. and abroad are expected to visit 35 different tours across Virginia. The 61st annual Garden week tour in Suffolk will include four homes, and will include a lunch at historic Riddick’s Folly.

The new Commerce Bank on North Main Street is selling tickets in the lobby.

Linda Glasscock Bunch will demonstrate her pottery making skills during the lunch time at Riddick’s Folly.

In the afternoon, refreshments will be served poolside at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Birdsong.

Locally the event is sponsored by the Nansemond River Garden Club. Homes to be open are:

608 W. Riverview Dr., home of Mr. and Mrs. George Birdsong.

826 Riverview Dr., home of Mr. and Mrs. Peter DeWitt Pruden.

709 Jones St., home of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey B. Johnson.

501 N. Broad St., home of Mrs. Charles C. Powell.

City budget asks for $110,000 million

The city’s proposed 1994-95 operating budget recommends that the City Council appropriate $110.2 million n $7 million over last year’s plan.

Although the E-911 fee, part of a citizen’s telephone bill, is now $1.25, up from $.39 two years ago, the budget suggests another $.25 raise in the fee to pay for two new positions in the police department.

City Manager Richard L. Hedrick said, “Nobody wants a tax increase, but this is the best way.”

While city officials say automation has reduced the need for additional staff, there is a request for several new positions in order to keep pace with the city’s growth, and to get rid of dilapidated housing.

City Council will hold its first public hearing on the proposed budget on May 4.