Seven City, VA

[jessd06]

Greetings,

I have a copy of an email that was sent into all the Hampton Roads City Councils by someone I work with. This person is interested in hearing others thought on this particular position. The email is from a 26 year old male, I thought it was important to let you know the perspective he is speaking from. All feedback is welcome good or bad, I want to report what others in the area are thinking. Please see below... Thanks for your time.

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Greetings Council Members:

I am a resident of Virginia Beach, VA but I have a message for all Council

Members in all of the Hampton Roads cities. It has long been said that

the Council Members of most cities are not in tune and do not listen to

the words from their residents. Whether that is fact or fiction; I think

it is important that I let all of you know that the youth of this area

have a vision and we have a detailed plan to create more opportunities.

Most young adults in Hampton Roads feel that our area is lacking in many

aspects of social life that cater to the age group 18

[vdogg]

I like the idea and often thought that the name "Seven Cities" was far more catching and representative of our area than HR. I don't know if I like "Seven City" though. I think it's important to keep the plural form of the nickname. It's more descriptive of the character of our region. We definately need to have something that provides our region a bit more connection. The only problem I can see is that there are actually more than 7 cities in the Hampton Roads MSA, the nickname is just for the core cities of Virginia Beach, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Portsmouth. Cities like Wiiliamsburg/Poqouson et al may feel shunned.

[jessd06]

I do want to take a moment to clear that up. The slang was created as "Seven City" and then morphed into correct grammar... with the youth, they actually use the term Seven City. My nephew explained that while the word represents the number.. it also simply represents a name or the name. The reason the slang was created was to unify the main cities as one and to not show any division. The term Seven Cities still promotes that division amongst the area.

[mikefaceless]

I do want to take a moment to clear that up. The slang was created as "Seven City" and then morphed into correct grammar... with the youth, they actually use the term Seven City. My nephew explained that while the word represents the number.. it also simply represents a name or the name. The reason the slang was created was to unify the main cities as one and to not show any division. The term Seven Cities still promotes that division amongst the area.

[Sky06]

While I agree on marketing the area as a single entity, the last thing we need is another name. The area lacks an identity to many outside this area largely because we are known by:

Norfolk

Virginia Beach

Norfolk-VB-Newport News-NC MSA

Hampton Roads

Tidewater

SE Virginia

Virginia Waterfront

Virginia Capes

Seven Cities of Hampton Roads

Virginia Peninsula

Southside Hampton Roads

Delmarva Peninsula

I know many disagree, but we need 1 city for those outside the area to know us by.

[RJWGMU]

While I agree on marketing the area as a single entity, the last thing we need is another name. The area lacks an identity to many outside this area largely because we are known by:

Norfolk

Virginia Beach

Norfolk-VB-Newport News-NC MSA

Hampton Roads

Tidewater

SE Virginia

Virginia Waterfront

Virginia Capes

Seven Cities of Hampton Roads

Virginia Peninsula

Southside Hampton Roads

Delmarva Peninsula

I know many disagree, but we need 1 city for those outside the area to know us by.

[vdogg]

I am right with you about the once city thing... I know that it would be a mess at first especially, but I feel that in the long run everything could be a lot better... Think about all of the duplication of positions and salaries which currently occur, not to mention all of the non-cooperative approaches to problems... There could still be advisory boards for each city which currently exists, but one entire city...

[cpeakesqr]

I've always thought it was "seven cities"... I'm a 'youth', and have never referred to the area as "seven city".

[okinawatyphoon]

They're thinking of renaming Norfolk International Airport to something a little more inclusive, so whatever they name it will likely become what we are known as.

[vdogg]

They're thinking of renaming Norfolk International Airport to something a little more inclusive, so whatever they name it will likely become what we are known as.

[kjice2]

Well, its like they were talking about renaming the airport, about 10 years ago, so i do not know if that idea is in the current plans. This is a website about this

[Cadeho]

I like the idea and often thought that the name "Seven Cities" was far more catching and representative of our area than HR. I don't know if I like "Seven City" though. I think it's important to keep the plural form of the nickname. It's more descriptive of the character of our region. We definately need to have something that provides our region a bit more connection. The only problem I can see is that there are actually more than 7 cities in the Hampton Roads MSA, the nickname is just for the core cities of Virginia Beach, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Portsmouth. Cities like Wiiliamsburg/Poqouson et al may feel shunned.

[okinawatyphoon]

Well, its like they were talking about renaming the airport, about 10 years ago, so i do not know if that idea is in the current plans. This is a website about this

[Telmnstr]

I've always thought it was "seven cities"... I'm a 'youth', and have never referred to the area as "seven city".

[lil-bear]

There isn't anything wrong with Seven City, thats if it would be called a city which it's name is Seven.

I have always thought that since Virginia is known as the Old Dominion, then all the cites and counties that wish to merge become: DOMINION CITY. It's enclusive without specifing a certain number on locales!

One city, with each former city or county becoming a bourogh.

[Padman]

Shorten it to "Domicile." The newpaper would love it. Sections would include "Domicile Style," The "Domicide Page," "Major Domos in the news", "Domicidious Landscapes," "The Domicile Files" and so on.......

[adctvmonkey]

Since I live in NoVA, I read the Washington Post everyday, and I'm happy to say that they refer to Hampton Roads as 'Hampton Roads'. I think the adult population here in the DC area at least vaguely understands what Hampton Roads is. You can check it out in their article on the recent legislature.

[urbanfan]

Since I live in NoVA, I read the Washington Post everyday, and I'm happy to say that they refer to Hampton Roads as 'Hampton Roads'. I think the adult population here in the DC area at least vaguely understands what Hampton Roads is. You can check it out in their article on the recent legislature.

[M.Rocks]

For me the term "Hampton Roads" is a lot better than when we were referred to as Tidewater. To me Tidewater conjured up visions of some redneck town on the edge of a swamp with large mosquitoes and guys with overalls on and no undershirts....maybe that's just me. But Hampton Roads serves as an effective title to the area, especially to the corporate type. And the name 7 cities is usually reserved for the younger, more "in" crowd (see avy) . Both I think are effective for their respective demographics so I can't really complain.

[Padman]

I'm with you on that. Tidewater is too provincial or rural sounding. It also makes me think of some bubbly, dirty stuff in a washing machine. Hampton Roads is the central, defining feature of the region.

[lammius]

When I'm talking to people here in Jersey, the only label that is effective is the Norfolk-Virginia Beach area. Odds are someone will know where at least one of those two cities is located. The idea of Tidewater, Hampton Roads, 7 cities, etc. still doesn't have much recognition outside eastern Virginia.

[Former Resident of HR]

When I work with people from out of the state (and even NOVA) they have blank looks when I talk about "Hampton Roads". A lot still have blank looks when I say "Norfolk" so I find it easier defaulting to "Virginia Beach" and most people have heard of that. Unfortunately, Norfolk was so dead for so long that it kind of lost its way. Although I am not the biggest fan of VB, it is the largest city and now that it has a downtown, it has the tallest building in the state as well. Hampton Roads will always be around but Metro VB may come into play more and more... especially since the census has bumped it into the leading city for the region.

[urbanlife]

actually you can thank marketing for VB's recognition. When I moved way back at the end of 2001, I remember watching tv in Spokane and seeing a commercial for vacationing in Virginia Beach. More people know about Virginia Beach outside of Hampton Roads because of this marketing. Again why i stress for Norfolk not to under estimate the power of Virginia Beach. When they made their advertisements, they could of easily included Hampton Roads into them, but opted against that. VB is out to make themselves into the core of the region and at the current rate are succeeding at it.

[Telmnstr]

actually you can thank marketing for VB's recognition. When I moved way back at the end of 2001, I remember watching tv in Spokane and seeing a commercial for vacationing in Virginia Beach. More people know about Virginia Beach outside of Hampton Roads because of this marketing. Again why i stress for Norfolk not to under estimate the power of Virginia Beach. When they made their advertisements, they could of easily included Hampton Roads into them, but opted against that. VB is out to make themselves into the core of the region and at the current rate are succeeding at it.

[lammius]

Plus the BEACH part allows people to imagine the area being along the coastline.