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Carol Battige (Levine)

Thanks for letting us know the appropriate people in Richmond to contact.  Even though I live in FL now, I am seriously considering "coming home".  Can't used to the heat and humidity and everything here is so expensive.  Keep up the good work!  Again, thanks.

Carol Levine

Mary Draney (Murray)

Email sent. I hope that a much more reasonable solution can be found. Progress is good, but this is an unfortunate "deal".  I greatly sympathize with the neighbors who are leading the fight.

Belle Landrum

I started a message alittle while ago but got interrupted.  Sorry wherever that is.

WESTHAMPTON SCHOOL PEOPLE

We lost Monday night.  We fought a good fight.  Vote was 5 to 4.  They had 3 "guaranteed" votes and got last two from naieve young ladies that beileved a verbal agreement was enough from Bon Secour to not destroy the older first building.  I thought we had a change.  I sent a detailed letter to each member.  We really needed a lawyer to speak for us.  The Council Chairman tried his best to get the two aboe to vote no.  He was around when the deal between B S/Redskins/City was struck.  Said he voted for it and regrets his vote to this day.

So, I don't know if we will challenge this new  zoning or try to get over it.  I guess I will do my best to avoid pass it from now on.  We had two places in Westhampton that were special - Westhampton Theater now gone and Westhampton School.  The school was much more than a school, k-8th grade..  What I learned there I still use;  I feel like I have lost a friend.    Well maybe we can affect what goes in there.

To all of you who helped and cheered us on I give you my thanks.  My Dad used to watch cowboy and Indian movies a lot.  I asked him why,  he said he was waiting until the Indians won one. So, we'll try again.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

I heard about this & was heartsick!  I wrote a long letter 

to the Mayor &  I called on the phone!  Whoever

answered said, "Thank you so much for calling!"  

They sounded like they didn't like the results, either!

In my Letter, I said the entire thing sounds like Fraud,

because The Football stadium isn't there & their "deal"

should not include a residential neighbor. If you have

enough angry people, you CAN Sue Bon Secours for

Fraud &  go to Court!  This is AWFUL!  I HATE what is

going on as much as you do!  I wish I still lived in

Richmond & could have come to the meeting!  I never

dreamed Richmobd would sink so low!  I wish I had

called all the City Council members!  The Planning

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

(cont.) The names you gave us to call never even 

answered the phone!    My husband Joel said,

"The City of Richmond got snookered in!"

Out here in the Southwest, things like this happen

EVERY YEAR!

Belle Landrum

Everyone, thanks for all your efforts..It's a shame things turned out this way.  When we saw the city planning commission the first time they were all uncertain about the new zoning.  The second meeting  they voted to pass it,. all but one.  They seemed to have met before the meeting or B S had a chat will each or took them out to lunch.  The hands went up as if if from a signal..  We felt like we wasted our time efforts.  I'm truly sorry it worked that way.  If I ever do this again I'm going to ask them if they, each one, has alreqady made up their mines.  I'll probably bee cut off.

I've found the papers for appealing the 5-4 decision, but it has to be done in 30-now 28 days of the decision.  ( I hope you all know I can spell as Miss Graves taught us .My hands have never been able to go from typewriter to keyboard!; at times I think I have "webbed fingers")   I'll keep you posted on our progress or lack thereof.

Marilyn, a special thinks to you for getting the word out.

Mary Draney (Murray)

I saw the disappointing results. It will possibly destroy the whole character of the area. I hate it! Although I live in the county now, l pass the area frequently. My drive to volunteer at Virginia House takes me by there and on to Malvern.(turning right rather than left to TJ). Great memories starting with kindergarten and getting in trouble for crossing the street by myself., staying late in 2nd grade and helping Mrs. Mahoney clean up the paints(I needed to be hosed down later), many hours on the playground, etc. Hopefully the Westhampton area will not become another demolition site like the theater.

Russell Flammia

       Hi Belle, I'm glad to hear you're planning making an appeal.  I know what you mean about the group having already made up their minds prior to the actural meeting.   I'm glad you and the others are fighting them.  The Westhampton building has a lot of character. Hang in there.

Belle Landrum

Hi Russell,    I have not yet started an appeal.  It's taken me a few days to recover.  I will try to contct Neely Young.  He's a history person according to Marilyn - I'll try to find his books here.  I've hesitated on calling any lawyer because the work wwould have to be pro-bono.  Do you know anyone who iss retired and would relish a good fight?  My points for an appeal so far are//no parking study, no traffic study/broken promise.  I'd like the historic society to work on it.I don't know if they need permission from the city to do so.  Can you think of anything else.  I will take a picture of that condo building on Libbie - 3 srory I think too show how bad a 4-5 story building would on the school grounds.  I am also going to ask a neighbor who complains about track-trailers they come down Park to snap pictures of any that he sees.  He's usually on his porch during the day.  His wife attended Westhampton from K through 12th grade.  Her 4 children went there too.

If you or anyone we knon can think of anymore points to bring up please let me know. P.S.  Do you think we could get a lot of people to write letters, send notes in support of a appeal.  It would really be nice to have a big stack of anti's to hand in with the appeal.  I will find out the people who hear the appeal adn end them to you.  Who wrote the articles on TJ when you helped savee the school?  Maybe we could get some articles in the newspapers.  Also, a looong article for the inside back page of STYLE magazine.  That might wake up some people.

Look at the time!  I've got to catch on sleep.  Get back to me when you can.  And thank you.

Belle

Belle Landrum

Dear Russell,

Doyou have an address/phone that I can contact Neely with?  I missed the 55th anniversary so if there was a handout I did not receive it.

Belle
 

Russell Flammia

Hi Belle, just look on our class website under 'Profiles'

and contact him that way.  Have a good day!

Martin Yecies

Can someone please summarize exactly what was approved?  I have read through all the notes that have been posted but still don’t know specifically what was approved.  Although I no longer live in Richmond, I probably lived closer to Westhampton than anyone else for the six years I attended, only two houses away, and still have an emotional attachment to the area.

Belle Landrum

Dear Martin,

To fill you in --Back in 2012 the city did a bit deal to get the Redskin 2-week camp in Richmond.  In trade for helping (or building) the building at the Redskins "camp" Bon Wecour hospital, recived the right to lease the Westhampton School property minus the athletic field.  Bon S. was also to add to, abuild? a section on a hospital in the East End.  B S first said they would tear down the buildings.  Westhampton neighbors created protested so much - council meetings, new reports, etc.- that B S  said they would not touch the buildings.  About 2 yars ago they said they would put a nursing school there. Everyone was happy.  Then they said it would cost too much.  After 5 extensions on their plans B S said they wanted to change the zoning from residential to a B-7 mixed business use zone.  They want to build a 5 story building on Libble facing Park, avoiding destroying the elementary building.  It's the oldest one.  Slme how the planning commission after haring Westhampton sve-the-buildings people they posponed the vote.  At the next meeting they voting yes minus one vote to recommend the zoning change.  The City Council, after hearing from Westhampton people, and after the council president urged them to deny the zoning change, the council voted 5-4 for the change.  That's where we are now.  I am suggesting to my neighborhood group to appeal the decision.  We have some grounds for it, historical value, there was no traffic study and no parking study.  Oh, and B S has plans to put 4-5? buildings on the land, or course, demolishing the Jr. Hghg bldg.

This is where we stand.  Most people in the area and all Westhampton graduates are against B S's plans.  I have to talk to the head of my group to see if we can do this.  I also would love to have an attorney involved to help us.

So, that is where we are.  If you have expertise on any of the above, please be in touch.  Thanks for asking.  You probably can find articles on the Richmond Times-Dispatch web pages.  I hope this answerw your questions.  Thanks for being concerned.

Belle Landrum,  Neighbors of Westhampton.gtoup

Russell Flammia

   Hi Belle,

                  In one of your post you asked for suggestions regarding letters.  I would suggest that the letters or conversations with the decision makers include some or all of the following;

1. write or phone as many of the decision makers as possible

2. write about the historic nature of Westhampton--maybe contact someone who is involved with preservation of historic buildings for information

3. the building is a landmark of the community, without the building the area loses some of its charm & indenity

4. consider including a photo in an attachment to the email that will show the historic nature and features of the building and point them out.  Noting that new buildings very seldom have these features.

5. express concerns about the increase in additional traffic & the safety hazards

6. express concerns about additonal parking needed

7. the play ground would certainly be a loss to the area.  Get information from recreation and parks about the no. of programs held there & who uses the ball diamond & other facitilties

8. contact the groups that use the field, urge them to write or phone the decision makers expressing their concerns about the scarcity of existing playgrounds

9. consult an attorney who has expertise in rezoning of historic cases

    Good luck to you and the rest of the group.  You are fighting the good fight.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

  Belle, I am so proud of you!   DO contact Neeley!  But his books have nothing to do with Richmond !  

   They are about Afro-Americans in Northern Virginia  who were NOT slaves, but were Free!  They returned 

    to Africa to live!   Ask Neeley if he can help you & Westhampton!  Or contact Frank Louthan!  He's  a Lawyer,

    too!    If you give me your email address, I can send you a copy of my 2 letters to the Mayor of Richmond!

    He thanked me TWICE!

Mary Draney (Murray)

If I am not mistaken, the playground was already moved...not sure where, either Libbie or Maple. That was another issue in which the residents were poorly treated.

Belle Landrum

Hello,

Russell,  thank you for your suggestions, all excellent.  I wish I knew how to forward them in an email.

Mary,

B  S moved the  playground Immediately.  Theity/B S  gave us 3-4 choices for a play lot:

Westwood w/ no sidewalk to get there on Glenside (Lane); the lot which has been designated for the library expansion and a smaller plot on Mape Ave. where the St Christopher buses, traffic come in and out.  Finally, they moved it to a filled in area between Granite and Libble which used to a creek bed.  Lots of sun, no trees and a few benches.  Some room for parking.  Means crossing Patterson at Libble (light) or crossing at Granite (no Light).  Thant's from the north.  I guess it is used.  Not very parek-like.

Marilyn,

The phone numbers are supposed to be answered by the councilperson, the assistant for each when the are there.  They used to be full time.  I think you can leave a message.

My email is  BelleLandrum@yahoo.com     804/282-1959

Hope that answers questions 

Belle  Monday 7/30.
 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

On a lighter note, I played the "Obscure TV Shows of the 1960's" on the TJ 1962 Home Page, and although I recognized a lot of Star's names & probably havetheir photos in my Movie & TV Star collection, I could only remember watching one or two of those shows on TV!  We had A LOT of Homework at TJ , so I was probably studying!  Either that, or my parents were "censoring" what we watched!

Belle Landrum

Dear Marilyn, Russell and everyone,

Sorry to tell you a protest of our kind is not allowed.  At lease after the vote.  I've about run out of ideas unless we could write so many letters, emails the B S would have to listen.  Perhaps have sway in the bldgsn., demand that that first bldg be only 2 stories to match the neighborhood,  All I can think of is a sore thumb sticking out.

I'm will to go for it if there is anything to do.  Thanks again for all your help.   Belle

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Belle: The letter I sent to you was #2.  I sent an earlier letter on the Mayor's Website BEFORE the vote, & was not able to keep a copy, since I write from my cellphone! There was no reply forthcoming from the Mayor's Office, so I don't know if he ever read it!  The second letter, which you received,was sent from my own email, AFTER the Vote! They claimed I would receive a reply, which I did, from someone who appeared to be his Secretary. She said she would "share it with the team!" --but it was obviously too late to have any impact!

Politicians have a way of ignoring constituents!  Here in Arizona, I have actually had 5 to 15 Legislators (& even Probation Officers in the Court, when I worked there "on contract" as a Family Therapist & Mental Health Counselor with Juveniles) tell me they "never received my letter!"  I had to send another copy by Certified Mail, because MAIL SENT VIA POST OFFICE  A WEEK  IN ADVANCE ALWAYS ARRIVED "too late" or "not at all," before a major decision! Although mail from Phoenix to Yuma takes only ONE DAY, a Federal District Court Judge in Phoenix  "held" his reply for 13 days, thus leaving me LESS than a week for my Brief, and the post date on the envelope reflected that, as it was 2 weeks after his letter inside the envelope  was supposedly typed!!

This  is known as "The Brush-off!"  It is the same technique as "Stalling!" We are dealing with "Power-Players," and to them, "Bigger is Better!"  They just want to put their "Stamp" on Westhampton School Property!  Whether it is "Illogical,"  "Unsensible," "Insensitive," or "Uncompassionate," they don't seem to care!  

This is what I have learned in Illinois and in Arizona:  "Money Corrupts!" I never dreamed it would happen in my Home Town!

PS - My Dad passed away at St. Mary's from Pancreatic Cancer. His doctor told him it was "Nothing Serious!". But they saved my Mom's life many years earlier  when she had Pneumonia!   St. Mary's is "A Mixed Blessing!"

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

I think you should  go to County Court & File a Per Se Document. If there is a Federal District Court in Richmond, do it there!!  You have already written the History for Martin Yecies!  Have someone  proofread it for errors & use it for page one. Page 2 should be an analysis of the situation.  Page 3  can be your proposal for Fundraising, Reconstruction of the Building(s), etc.  We can all send donations to you to pay for the process!

Are you game?  This will just be the introductory brief!  You can give details later!  

My case did not win for me, but many new Laws came out of it! If I had been more savvy, I could have won!       I had to search for  precedent cases in a Law Library, and there were several  We have a classmate in California who was a Judge in Circuit Court in San Francisco!  I will search for him now!

You may not be able to Appeal their decision, but you CAN Sue them!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

The City of Richmond has sold its soul to the Devil!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

PS-If your Neighborhood Association is a 501(c)3 Non Profit organization, you can File a Class Action Lawsuit!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

PS- Do you have a name to contact at Bon Secours?  A phone number or email?  I just read a story on a related topic that might give some insight or new information we might be able to use!  If you proceed with

a Court Case, you could  use the information yourself!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

FYI, everybody: The person taking calls re. the issue of Bon Secours/ Westhampton School  is:

Carol Billingsley  (804) 690-1930.  

Leave a message on her Voice Mail  for her to call you back!