Fate of Suffolk horse club in City Council’s hands

This guy just wants to do a good thing for a group of kids that need help. No commercial stable. The problem is just a bunch of snobs that look down their noses at anyone who tries to help others less fortunate than they are.

Just for the record; this stable was already set up, he is not trying to build anything new on the site. He is just trying to continue the work that he has been doing for several years at a site that is set up properly for this purpose. I have seen first hand the work that Mr Hooper does with the kids and have helped him with along the way.
How many people would put all that they have into helping others and working for a year to make this happen? There are many people helping him with all that he is doing.

Are we getting the entire picture here? Is he just wanting to continue what he is doing, or is he wanting to build and run a commercial stable? The map up top shows the site for a proposed commercial stable and the photo above has a caption saying that he wants to start a riding club. Is the paper withholding some information here just to tug at our heart strings? If he is just going to continue what he is doing, I see no problem, but if he is going to start up a big commercial venture in a rural area, I can see where the neighbors might be upset.

what this guy is doing is a GREAT thing. What's Suffolk's problem w/it? To ride a horse - a big beautiful, magnificent living creature - can be a humbling experience. It can sure give some a different perspective of life.

All the major faiths of this world teach that having pride is sinful. So, I suppose the residents against this program are either faithless, or so prideful that they have forgot their faiths' teachings.

Animals almost always have a positive impact on troubled persons, including adults. A recent documentary on the Sundance Channel on wild mustangs being trained by inmates in Colorado offered excellent examples and described why it works. The kids aren't living there or hanging out in "your" neighborhood, get over yourselves and let this man do his good work.

If he was trying to build a boarding stable for show horses, there would be no objection to his application. Crying traffic problems is a sham excuse. Most kids that get into trouble do so because they have little or no supervision and nothing to do, and this gentleman is trying to provide a wholesome experience for kids that don't get much of a chance to see what it is like to live and play in a rural area. If the land is zoned for horses, and the riders are not trespassing on private property, I don't see how the city can turn down this application. If the landowner he rents from agrees to his operation, then the neighbors need to shut their pie-holes. The kids are not running amok on private property. They are caring for and riding a horse for gosh sakes. And really, why many vehicles could be added to the traffic on the roads? Not too many preteens that I know drive around by themselves in rural Suffolk. Guess it would be better if they were hanging out on a street corner in their own cities instead.

Let's not help troubled youths! Let's be more concerned with ourselves. I guess they'd rather see these young ppl in jail than riding a horse in their neighborhood. "Let's help these kids but not where I can see it" mentality is sickening in my mind! Concerned about traffic? How many kids are in the program? Will there be traffic jams b/c of this? It sounds as though he's been operating this program for some time and so far it hasn't caused these issues so why would it become a problem now?
I commend Mr. Hooper for stepping up to the plate and doing something rather than sitting on his couch and complaining about folks not doing anything to help. Thank God for ppl like him. Without such folks..a whole generation may be lost! WTG Mr. Hooper! I salute you sir!

"What does it profit someone to gain the whole world but forfeit their soul?" Those opposed to Mr. Hooper have no understanding of why they are blessed and what they should be doing with their blessing. "Great Spirit, grant that I may walk a mile in my neighbors mocassins before I criticize," anonymous Native American prayer.

For the staters of the obvious, of course these kids need better influences. You hit the nail on the head with words, but Mr. Hooper is driving the nail home with action.

This is another example of "he does great work, we just don't want it in our backyard (NIMBY)" You can also see the politics at work. In the article it states "The Planning Commission listened and recommended denial, despite a staff recommendation for approval". The staff recommended approval because there is nothing wrong with the zoning, nothing wrong with the application, and the use of the land is consistent with the area. However, the politically appointed Planning Commision members disregard the Staff approval because someone is pulling their strings.

How sad that people would protest this man and all he is doing for the community. These kids aren't violent offenders, probably just kids who have little experience outside their rough neighborhoods and kids who need someone to give them a chance. These aren't violent adults, just kids who need someone to show them life and that there are other options out there.

...the city sees the good he is doing and tell the old geezers whom forget what it's like to be a kid to shut up and go home. Shame on them for trying to shut him down!

The part of "town" Hooper is trying to do this has some influential people in it. I just hope the city looks at this with open minds and unbiased judgement. Just as in the case of the proposed race track in the Shoulders Hill Road area (years ago), the residents were not made fully aware and educated on the amount of traffic, which days/nights, what times and how often cars, trucks or buses would be doing the traveling. Let's get the full story before the protest flags start flying. Hopefully Mr Hooper will give an informative and well thought out presentation, and have enough time to do so. If the majority of the kids who will visit the farm had the supervision Hooper is trying to show now, they more than likely wouldn't be where they are in their lives today.

...if it's rural enough for a stable to logically exist and the kids aren't violent offenders, where's the harm?

I cannot believe that this is a real issue. The so called adults are the ones acting like juveniles by not wanting someone in their backyard. Here is an example of a man trying to do something positive for some kids. He is taking kids out to ride horses for a few hours. I did not read in the article where the kids where at the stables everyday just hanging out. The city of Suffolk should applaud this man for trying to be a positive influence with the kids because the same money he is spending on his Outreach program could be the same money that is used to put a kid in jail.

If these so called "neighbors" don't like what this guy is doing thenbuy his land or shut the heck up!! It is HIS land, and he's doing something good with it. What are his "neighbors" doing with thier land? If it were me, I would turn the tables on them. If they fight something that I want to do on my land like this guy, I would call the city on them for EVERY little thing they did! haha Go ahead and plant that rose bush, I don't like it! Same thing! The neighbors that are complaining are morons, and I hope that they read this!

I hope that Suffolk City Council will not shut the door on Mr. Hooper and the wonderful job he is doing. Here is one man who is giving those children such an opportunity and it would be sad if he was not allowed to continue. Mr. Hooper is letting these children be just what they are "children". Where they live they have to be "tuff" to survive and get what they believe is respect. At his riding club they are experiencing kindness, generosity, and respect for themselves, others, and other people's property. They are also allowed to be children, for a short time, in a safe controlled environment. Which unfortunately, many of these children may not have on a daily basis. I applaud you Mr. Hooper for being 1 person who is making such a huge difference.

God bless this guy for offering some options for these kids. Sad that we have so little in the way of recreation centers and outdoor swimming pools for kids to access in the summer. The youth in the 12-17 range are especially hurting for safe, supervised activities in the summer as they are apt to be left alone while parents work, etc...It concerns me that the neighbors are so quick to jump on the fact that these kids are youthful offenders. These are not hardened criminals, but kids who need to see that there are other options out there to a life of crime. A change of environment, shared positive experiences? Priceless... At much lower cost than future incarceration. I've worked with teens for many years, taking them on trips out of town,etc...You would have to see the excitement they feel when they cross a state line and see the signs naming places they've never been. It's not about where you take them; it's about taking them in the first place.

Nobody wants these kids "in their back yard". So what else should we do? Lock them up and throw away the key? Maybe they'll work out their own problems for themselves. The sad truth is that their parents probably don't even care what happens to them, and they are in this position because their lives are lacking a decent and positive role model. I realize nobody wants this in their neighborhood. It's the same all over. But if these kids aren't even given a chance, then they will surely end up in jail and become even bigger burdens on society.

If he does not accept violent kids and he is helping foster kids, than what is the problem? It seems that his neighbors just don't want kids in their neighborhood period and it don't matter what kind or color. In New York state they have a program called Fresh Air and it sends an inner city child to live with a family for the summer. The program has been a success leaving many with fond memories. Why can't Suffolk, VA do the same? With the increasing problems Suffolk has faced in recent years with youth, city leaders should be looking at this program as something that could benifit their own children.

Some neighbors said Hooper should be commended for what he is trying to do but that he chose the wrong location. They said they’re concerned about traffic and worried about having juvenile offenders so close."

Should be commended, but not in my backyard. He hear that all the time.
We need more people like Mr. Hooper trying to make a positive influence on teens. Such programs should be encouraged, not asked to more. Somebody needs to help these kids, but for so many it's much easier to simply complain.

What is this guy doing so wrong. Look at the good he is doing with the kids. Maybe the people around the barn should spend a couple of days with him to see what is going on.