Score it as a 'power assist' for Norfolk City Hall

RICK WATSON'S stepfather used to worry whether Rick would ever get married. Whenever Rick went out with a girl, Mark Chambers said, he'd talk about electronic doors.

And while that might have held Rick back on the dating scene (he's now married), it makes him the guy you want installing the handicapped-accessible doors at Norfolk's City Hall.

About three weeks ago, Watson's company, JANMAR Door Controls and Glass, made an offer the city couldn't refuse: It would install an electronic "power-assist" door at City Hall - for free.

JANMAR's offer followed a Nov. 8 column in which The Warrior said Norfolk is the only South Hampton Roads city without power-assist doors at its city hall.

On Wednesday, after a meeting with JANMAR, Norfolk said it has accepted the offer.

JANMAR's in for more than it intended.

In order to meet Americans with Disabilities Act width guidelines, two doors - not one - must be powered. Also, the power-assist door button has to be installed on a pole about 10 feet from the front door, not on the building.

That means the company's gift is worth about $5,000.

Here's what the city is getting: Two top-of-the-line doors.

What makes a door control top of the line? Ask Mr. Watson, and he'll gladly rip the face cover off the controls and explain.

In short, though: electro-mechanical exterior door openers, bad. Electro-hydraulic exterior door openers, good.

They'll install hydraulic controls, which means, over time, the city's maintenance costs should be much less.

For handicapped folks - or stroller-pushing parents - the doors mean not waiting for someone to happen along and help.

"If you give back, you have a better life," said JANMAR's Chambers. "It doesn't always come back to you financially, but it does come back to you."

After a city electrician provides a power source, JANMAR said it will complete the work within a week. I'll let you know when the work is done.

Many thanks to this family-owned business for turning the doors into a win-win-win scenario.

A perplexing perch?

Snuggle up with a hot mug of caffeinated beverage, readers. Today's selection from Uncle Road is titled "The Mystery of the Blue Heron."

Only thing is, I need your help writing it.

Robert Evans wrote asking The Warrior's help solving a puzzle. An "Earth-shaking mystery," he called it.

He often drives over the High-Rise Bridge on Interstate 64 West, heading into Virginia Beach.

"As I look south, down the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, I see what appears to be a blue heron perched on top of a triangle-shaped channel marker," he wrote. "It is always there!"

We're operating on the assumption our heron friend is of the inanimate, painted variety.

Good luck solving the case from the High-Rise. Driving by, The Warrior saw the bird/folk art, but there's nowhere to stop and take a picture.

The Warrior has put the question to the U.S. Coast Guard, which is looking into it. Meanwhile, I'm putting the mystery to you. Any boaters care to get a picture and e-mail it?