VIRGINIA BEACH
The City Council voted Tuesday night to restore money for five lifeguard stands at Sandbridge that were poised to be cut from the budget.
The move, which came the same day an article in The Virginian-Pilot detailed the proposal to save about $46,000, was made to ease concerns raised by residents about beach safety.
"It was kind of a bone headed move to try and take away stations when there are going to be more people there," said Cary Shreve, president of the Sandbridge Beach Civic League.
The cut was part of citywide belt-tightening in a lean budget year. The plan was to reduce the total number of lifeguard stands from 62 to 57. Sandbridge's Little Island Park would have gone from eight to four stands, and the beach at the community's north end would have gone from four to three stands.
Councilwoman Barbara Henley, who urged restoring the funds, said if the number of stands can be reduced later, then the money never has to be spent. It's easier to cut money later than add it in, she noted.
"We just want to make sure there's enough funding there to do what needs to be done,"
Henley said. "We want the safety issue to be the paramount thing."
Officials said they targeted Sandbridge partly because people who go to its beaches tend to be more savvy about the ocean and stronger swimmers. They said the cuts would not have impacted safety.
"I was asked to cut my budget, and I got with the contractor, and we made sure we didn't jeopardize public safety," said Bruce Edwards, the city's chief of Emergency Medical Services, which oversees the $1.28 million lifeguard contract. "If folks are uncomfortable, obviously I work for them, and we're going to address that."
A smattering of other temporary stand reductions for the main resort area are still in place for the off-peak season before school gets out June 13 and after Labor Day. That will save $17,000. Lifeguard staffing during major holidays, including Memorial Day, and the main summer season will not be affected, officials said. Three supervisor positions are also being eliminated to save $12,000.
"We're willing to do whatever the city wants us to do," said Ken Hinnant, owner of the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service, which has the city contract that covers beaches from Fort Story to Sandbridge.
Hinnant added that he doesn't think Little Island Park needs eight life guard stands.
"I think you can get by with four or six, but we operate at the city's command. If they want staff out to midnight, we'll put them there. If they want them at Chick's Beach, we'll do it."
Residents said a growing population at Sandbridge, partly fueled by a new 250-unit condo development called The Sanctuary at False Cape, merits a full staff of life guards.
"It's a numbers situation," said Pat Barton, civic league member. "It didn't make sense that as more people come in, we would take lifeguards off."
Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com
Richard Quinn, (757) 222-5119, richard.quinn@pilotonline.com
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Oh Please
$12,000 here... $17,000 there. A drop in the bucket. Council cuts areas that they know will not be popular with citizens so that they can show that they tried to cut the budget. Somehow their favorite little pet projects always manage to escape the budget axe.
orion
I've had a few run ins with dune tramplers too
The comeback I get is 'we just want to see the beach'
Duh you drove 800 miles from Ohio and are standing on it
Orion
Dude, I salute you. I freakin' hate those dune tramplers.
Missing the point
Apparently a lot of posters have gone way off track/off the subject. The fact is that no cuts will be made in the number of lifeguard stands this year, yet people are yelling and screaming about taxes and who pays for what...how did this discussion get so far off topic?
AHHHH
You're correct, I forgot, the weekday rates are MUCH cheaper!
Ok, Orion. I guess you can go - just don't turn any turtle hatchlings over on their back.
Just to give them a tickle.
And yes, STAY OF THE DUNES. I know the lifeguards are good about letting people know, but so am I; to the point I had an altercation with someone from Ohio about it resulting in the "visitor" being asked to leave the beach. He stated he'd never come back. I told him he wasn't wanted...
$2 - where it goes
I would imagine it pays the salary of the beach bunnies who collect the $2 (HA!). Seriously, I suspect it goes into the VB fund that pays lifeguards and general beach maintenance such as refuse collection and sea grass replenishment. Btw...FOLKS! DO NO CLIMB ON THE DUNES!
I usually go on Mondays
Perhaps the rate drops during the week. I agree that the condos are horrible. I would imagine that the southernmost building is now up and running and the elites will be competing for beach space with the locals. Truly a travesty that what was a nice buffer between Little Island and oceanfront homes is now a pm sun blocker.
Ok, Orion. I guess you can go - just don't turn any turtle hatchlings over on their back.
Must've dropped the price for parking
The last time (last Summer) I went to Little Island it was $4.00 for VB residents. You're getting a good deal Mr. Fab!
Don't feel so bad about my attendance there. You go for the same reason I do. Smaller tourist crowd, lack of unbearable crowds, CLEAN beaches and no sleezy strip mentality. I'm just sorry more people know about it now.
The only drawback is those HORRIBLE condos they built. TRULY an eyesore on a beautiful beach.
just wondering??
I wondered why you had to pay to park there too. Yes its only 2.00 for beach residents, but where does the money go??
Way to save Money
How about getting rid of that ridiculous magazine the City mails out to everyone. Its nothing but a "puff" piece of advertising and one-sided stories about the so-called acomplishments of the Council, as they brag about programs that city taxpayers have paid for to enrich the political donors and friends of the council, at the expense of the elderly and those who aren't "politically connected". Total waste of trees, stamps and money.
Get real people
Sandbridge is where moms take their children to play. What responsible mother would take he children to the circus at the Strip? Sandbridge is where daycares take the children to play in the surf. Where else would they go? All you negative posters, would you want to see a child die floundering in the surf? Will you be the one to save them? I think not.
Vote Henley Out!!!!
Agan Our Tax Money pays for the Beach Rentals at sandbridge!!! The poor people pay agan for the Rich to get Richer!!! How much money did Henley and Taxemdorf get on this one!!!
Interesting
So what does my $5.00 to park at the Sandbridge Market or Little Island go towards?
Super
The ocean is a powerful friend and foe. The most experienced swimmer will falter at some point. The CoVB made yet another super decision to restore the number of staff along our shores, watching over each of us regardless of our need.
Besides, someone will be available to treat the injuries from shark attack should they occur. Being a brown water beach, and with the increasing prevalence of such occurrences, due care must be exercised when floundering around our shorelines. Be careful, do not exhibit characteristics of an injuried fish, but just have fun in the sun.
Happy, happy, joy-joy - See? I'm jumping!
Just for you Michael - I'm jumping for joy, LOL!
By the way, I no longer live in Sandbridge, but because I did live in Sandbridge I realize that many of the folks that visit there often bring young children to the Beach, or, many collage-aged folks rent beach houses, throw parties, and let's just say it this way, many college-aged visitors enter the water in Sandbridge somewhat impared - or very impared.
If the city council wants to cut $40K from their $1.7B budget then begin with doing away with the full-color, glossy Beach Magazine they send out 4 times a year and end the wasteful full color, two-page "City Page" propaganda they buy in the Pilot. It is a matter of priorities. How can they fund Public Relations ahead of Life Guards?
Officials said they targeted
Officials said they targeted Sandbridge partly because people who go to its beaches tend to be more savvy about the ocean and stronger swimmers. They said the cuts would not have impacted safety.
LMAO...good one. Sandbridge beach patrons don't drown.
Wise investment
Good choice by city council. Never listen to Edwards...
Jump for Joy
I'm surprised Reid isn't jumping for joy
Good Job!
I don't live in Sandbridge and regardless of how anyone looks at this...tax cut, tax break. It was about the safety of the beach goers and that was most important part of the story. Oh, did you hear that....I just slapped myself on the back. LOL
I can hear the back slapping
I can hear the back slapping all the way over here across town. It's called 'neighbors not hosing neighbors'..... good luck Beach.
Budget cut for Sandbridge
Does this surprise anybody? NOBODY takes money from Sandbridge. Budget cuts never happen in neighborhoods for the wealthy. When I read that story the other day I (and most others) new that would never happen.