Norfolk Off-Topic

[baobabs727]

Even if I were to take him at his word (or inferences), and I don't (because I believe that there is far more to this story), that he's depriving VB of SITW to punish the City and City leaders for what he sees as a monumental bungling of his family member's police-involved incident, in truth he's only punishing the youth population of SE/Coastal VA--the would-be attendees who will now miss out on all the fun that weekend--as well as the small mom and pop businesses and (local) ancillary SITW support businesses who would both benefit economically from the SITW attendees' expenditures during the festival...oh, and by the way...NOT ONE of which had anything to do with the alleged police misfeasance! 

People make a City, ya know.  Hardworking, average people.  I mean, you can't really punish a City, only its people.   

But let's be generous for a moment and take him at his word.  Shall we?  I mean, why not?  It's not THAT serious, right?  (We've got inflation and the war in Ukraine to worry about!)  Ok, so riddle me this:    Why didn't he just move the whole kit and caboodle to neighboring Norfolk?  Hmm?  Yeah, why D.C. and not VB's arched nemesis, Norfolk? How on earth is Pharrell connected to D.C., and why is D.C. worthy of his "gift" of this economic and cultural windfall?   And Norfolk is hometown-adjacent for him!  He'd still be honoring his home region...and as a bonus...simultaneously sticking it to Virginia Beach by giving Norfolk a huge gift! OUCH!   

Follow the money folks.

 

 

Edited April 26, 2022 by baobabs727

[mintscraft56]

Pharrell made a horrible choice. For a event made for being on the beach he made such a disappointing and what I would personally consider a rude choice. DC does not have any major beach board walk, and DC is already supported economically by many other things and I doubt it is the only city on the East Coast in need of economic help. 

I dont want to come off as a Norfolk everything type of guy but this dude really smacked us in the face with this. Like the guy above me stated, this hurts the area and the people more than it does the local government. This celebrity is no God and we cannot ask of everything from him but he is definitely not helping either with this move. Unless they plan to hold SITW in Lincoln's reflecting pool I really dont see how this will work out.  

It didnt even have to be in Hampton Roads it could have been at any other city with a BEACH and I would have been fine.

Somewhere in Florida would have been a smarter move, just why in the heck would you pick DC?

[BFG]

I don't know his M.O. other than what he's said publicly, but keeping in mind Pharrell opened a school in Norfolk, held an event to discuss the future of Hampton Roads last year, and still wants to hold SITW events here tells me he's not giving up altogether on the 757 so that's encouraging. It's like he's the only one who realizes this area needs to go all in on something other than defense, but he can't do all the heavy lifting if the powers that be remain complacent.

Regardless of his reason for moving to DC, this is a major black eye for all of Hampton Roads and yet another reminder that something has to give. Someone around here needs to step up to the plate, and it ain't the dude who's moving his festival to Washington. This area suffers too much from the status quo, and it just cost us one of the biggest events in the last several decades. As much as I understand why, I'm so upset about this decision. 

[Norva757]

4 hours ago, BFG said:

I don't know his M.O. other than what he's said publicly, but keeping in mind Pharrell opened a school in Norfolk, held an event to discuss the future of Hampton Roads last year, and still wants to hold SITW events here tells me he's not giving up altogether on the 757 so that's encouraging. It's like he's the only one who realizes this area needs to go all in on something other than defense, but he can't do all the heavy lifting if the powers that be remain complacent.

Regardless of his reason for moving to DC, this is a major black eye for all of Hampton Roads and yet another reminder that something has to give. Someone around here needs to step up to the plate, and it ain't the dude who's moving his festival to Washington. This area suffers too much from the status quo, and it just cost us one of the biggest events in the last several decades. As much as I understand why, I'm so upset about this decision. 

Most people give up on this area and leave. This area is really a joke for a metro. No real leaders and local politicians are more worried about getting their pockets lined. This isn't even a left or right issue either. Norfolk is pretty much all left and they can't even get anything done. Our leaders don't care about us and the state could care less about us. The only reason the feds care at all is because of the military. I'm starting not care about this area anymore. I personally think he is wasting his time on this area. Everytime we get a project with any hope it always comes up short and watered down. I've been ignoring the writing on the wall for far too long

[mintscraft56]

18 hours ago, Norva757 said:

Most people give up on this area and leave. This area is really a joke for a metro. No real leaders and local politicians are more worried about getting their pockets lined. This isn't even a left or right issue either. Norfolk is pretty much all left and they can't even get anything done. Our leaders don't care about us and the state could care less about us. The only reason the feds care at all is because of the military. I'm starting not care about this area anymore. I personally think he is wasting his time on this area. Everytime we get a project with any hope it always comes up short and watered down. I've been ignoring the writing on the wall for far too long

I dont know where my post went but let me repeat, talk about a downer. This city and the metro as a whole has so much potential. All we need to do is wait and give patience. I will not lie and say it will be tomorrow, its definitely gonna take a while.

[Norva757]

52 minutes ago, mintscraft56 said:

I dont know where my post went but let me repeat, talk about a downer. This city and the metro as a whole has so much potential. All we need to do is wait and give patience. I will not lie and say it will be tomorrow, its definitely gonna take a while.

I've been waiting years and nothing has really changed. I was optimistic just like you. The older I get the more I see it's the same things over and over again. You watch what even smaller metros are doing and wonder why that can't be done here. We truly have the poorest leadership around. 

[mintscraft56]

This news is right next door to Norfolk, Pharrell and his new plans have effectively gotten VB leaders disagreeing and arguing who or what to place blame on.  The mayor says its not their fault at all. https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/virginia-beach/something-in-the-water-moves-to-dc-virginia-beach-leaders-react-pharrell-williams/291-8b5e2c8c-df29-40a0-a668-5b5c62649189

Edited April 28, 2022 by mintscraft56

[BFG]

Now is not the time for them to point fingers. We’re all aware of the elephant in the room; this is the time to now put up or shut up and move into the 2020s.

 You lost SITW…yes, people are talking and no, it’s not coming back here. What will you do to move forward and create an atmosphere half as great as the one you had three years ago?

Basically…do you wanna be Miami or Mayberry? The latter’s not gonna get you very far. 

[mintscraft56]

12 hours ago, BFG said:

Now is not the time for them to point fingers. We’re all aware of the elephant in the room; this is the time to now put up or shut up and move into the 2020s.

 You lost SITW…yes, people are talking and no, it’s not coming back here. What will you do to move forward and create an atmosphere half as great as the one you had three years ago?

Basically…do you wanna be Miami or Mayberry? The latter’s not gonna get you very far. 

Very much agreed, could this arguing be the ¨toxic energy¨ he was talking about?

[baobabs727]

16 hours ago, BFG said:

Now is not the time for them to point fingers. We’re all aware of the elephant in the room; this is the time to now put up or shut up and move into the 2020s.

 You lost SITW…yes, people are talking and no, it’s not coming back here. What will you do to move forward and create an atmosphere half as great as the one you had three years ago?

Basically…do you wanna be Miami or Mayberry? The latter’s not gonna get you very far. 

It's not coming back here because they can't make money here. Early ticket tiered pricing for DC is already double, triple plus what it was here.  I expect there will be additional price escalations, as is common industry practice.  While I agree that there is work to be done, I'm not sure you measure the success of VB on any level by way of whether or not a music festival returns here.  BTW, I'd say well over half of the pop. of VB would rather more closely resemble a Mayberry than a Miami. No judgment, just the facts. 

[baobabs727]

Pharrell has long-standing personal issues with the City and has now extracted his pound of flesh:  retribution with a vengeance. He’s done his worst;  yet we still stand tall.  Prosperous.  Safe and secure. Can’t say that about DC, but I digress.

The City of Virginia Beach is moving on from Pharrell.  The vast majority of Virginia Beach citizens could not possibly care less what he or any other celebrity former resident believes or says about us. Pharrell matters less around here than you might think, and he definitely matters far, far less than he, himself, seems to believe. 

So we move forward. We continue to work on our own problems as WE define them. As WE see fit.  And we will do so without his input. His choice, not ours. He’s gone away now.  Cue  “I’m Happy.”

Edited April 30, 2022 by baobabs727

[BFG]

10 hours ago, baobabs727 said:

 BTW, I'd say well over half of the pop. of VB would rather more closely resemble a Mayberry than a Miami. No judgment, just the facts. 

Oh I've seen the comments. They don't like what VB's become and didn't want SITW in the first place. It is what it is, although I stand by my thoughts that VB needs to go back to being Princess Anne County. It'll never happen, but that's just my two cents.

[varider]

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/norfolk/restaurant-closes-norfolk-police-boost-surveillance-downtown-after-shootings/
 

The email that indicates it was written by Texas de Brazil states the restaurant has not only decided to temporarily close, but permanently close at the MacArthur Mall location. 

“Unfortunately, we can no longer operate at the current location due to recent incidents, as the safety of our staff and our guests is our number one priority,” the email stated. 

The email goes onto say the announcement will be made via social media when the restaurant is ready to open a new location.

[baobabs727]

19 hours ago, varider said:

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/norfolk/restaurant-closes-norfolk-police-boost-surveillance-downtown-after-shootings/
 

The email that indicates it was written by Texas de Brazil states the restaurant has not only decided to temporarily close, but permanently close at the MacArthur Mall location. 

“Unfortunately, we can no longer operate at the current location due to recent incidents, as the safety of our staff and our guests is our number one priority,” the email stated. 

The email goes onto say the announcement will be made via social media when the restaurant is ready to open a new location.

Devastating and embarrassing.  That was one of the nicest, most destination–oriented restaurants in all of Norfolk.  New leadership for Norfolk! Now! I’m sorry but you simply must blame the Mayor. The buck stops with him.  I am damned sick and tired of watching this inept, feckless, out-of-touch Mayor and City Council sit idly by whilst Downtown burns. Norfolk is going in the wrong direction and has been for quite some time now. And no:  one shiny, new waterfront project does not a recovery make. I am super afraid of what Mr. Yarbrough and the Pawmunkeys must be thinking right now given the cumulative nature of this resurgence in crime.    

Edited May 1, 2022 by baobabs727

[mintscraft56]

Police force is in shambles with both top leaders of it leaving and crime is high. Norfolk got named one of most dangerous cities in East Coast and that is definitely not a nice title to have. We are ranked worse than NYC and Chicago in crime per 1000 people.

[baobabs727]

47 minutes ago, NFKjeff said:

I am also upset and frustrated with Mr. Alexander's, and the city council's leadership. Major issues, especially with the police force need to be resolved, but I think "whilst Downtown burns" is a tad melodramatic.

As far as Mr. Yarborough and the Pamunkey Tribe, regarding their commitment to the HeadWaters Resort and Casino, I doubt they are considering pulling out. There is a lot of money to be made, this is the one spot where they can locate, and they are fairly heavily invested already.

I agree regarding the casino. Yarborough et al are most likely hoping and praying there’s a plan in place to stem this violence before they open.

Actually, I am more concerned about the cruise port of call business which has been on the strong uptick of late.  Cruise line executives could not be pleased about all of this gun violence. 

[mintscraft56]

1 hour ago, NFKjeff said:

Yes, the two top leaders of the police force have decided to retire. There is a major problem with both retention and with finding new officer candidates. For one thing, Norfolk is going to have to start paying police more.

As far as the "Norfolk got named one of the most dangerous cities in East Coast" statement you keep citing, please stop it with that. As another poster already pointed out, it is not a researched finding, and is nothing more than a click-bait blurb.

These problems are real, and should not be taken lightly, and it does not make it any better to know that many cities across America are experiencing the same pressures.

The statement its self is not hard to believe, im not sure if its a fact you cant accept or if its just you dont want to hear it again. I did not say the most dangerous I said it was "One" of the most dangerous, the east coast its self does not have a extreme number of mid to big cities so its not hard to believe. As for the state I hope you know we are ranked high up there too.  However right across our border VB was named Safest Large City by forbes. Unless Forbes is some clickbait scam website then im sure we can trust it.

Also I want to point out that im not trying to argue, im just trying to get my point across that the crime rate is definitely not getting better under our Mayors leadership.

Edited May 1, 2022 by mintscraft56

[Buildthetowers]

6 hours ago, NFKjeff said:

^^^ Thank you mintscraft. I am not trying to argue either. Is it possible that you could post a link to the Forbes article so that I could read it as well. If not, do you know the date it was published so that I can search for it. Thanks.

Folks you have to realize that most of the people running our cities and country are controlled globalist. They are deliberately destroying the infrastructure in order to rebuild or as he says build back better.

Edited May 1, 2022 by Buildthetowers

[mintscraft56]

4 hours ago, Buildthetowers said:

Folks you have to realize that most of the people running our cities and country are controlled globalist. They are deliberately destroying the infrastructure in order to rebuild or as he says build back better.

I cannot disprove or prove what your trying to say but may I ask why your so antigovernmental and anti-military? 

11 hours ago, NFKjeff said:

^^^ Thank you mintscraft. I am not trying to argue either. Is it possible that you could post a link to the Forbes article so that I could read it as well. If not, do you know the date it was published so that I can search for it. Thanks.

Feb 2022 so its pretty recent. I never knew our metro harbored the safest large city in the US. You need to scroll down some but its there and easy to see.   https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2022/02/23/crime-in-america-study-reveals-the-10-most-dangerous-cities-its-not-where-you-think/?sh=7f1978547710

[mintscraft56]

@NFKjeff Forbes even called Virginia Beach/ VB one of the best places to travel in the US. However it didint advertise the surrounding cities in its description for history and food.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2022/03/31/the-22-best-places-to-travel-in-the-us-in-2022/?sh=65ba40b255ef

[Norf Native]

Regarding Texas de Brazil, I think they are just using the recent shootings downtown as a reason to break their lease at the mall.  Crime is up nationwide (not just in Norfolk) and everyone knows that malls are dying, even Greenbriar is predicted to close in the coming years.  They were looking for a way out.  My $0.2...They'll head to the suburbs somewhere.  

[mintscraft56]

9 minutes ago, Norf Native said:

Regarding Texas de Brazil, I think they are just using the recent shootings downtown as a reason to break their lease at the mall.  Crime is up nationwide (not just in Norfolk) and everyone knows that malls are dying, even Greenbriar is predicted to close in the coming years.  They were looking for a way out.  My $0.2...They'll head to the suburbs somewhere.  

Most likely Virginia Beach.

[BFG]

51 minutes ago, Norf Native said:

Regarding Texas de Brazil, I think they are just using the recent shootings downtown as a reason to break their lease at the mall.  Crime is up nationwide (not just in Norfolk) and everyone knows that malls are dying, even Greenbriar is predicted to close in the coming years.  They were looking for a way out.  My $0.2...They'll head to the suburbs somewhere.  

I could see them going to Town Center or somewhere in Greenbrier. Your theory also makes plenty of sense. 

[HRVA]

26 minutes ago, BFG said:

I could see them going to Town Center or somewhere in Greenbrier. Your theory also makes plenty of sense. 

My guess is Lynnhaven Mall. Is the old Unos still empty?

[BFG]

Good question. I was there about a month ago and think a Mexican spot took over, but I might be thinking of the Ruby Tuesday.