Talbot Hall future gets another look in Norfolk

NORFOLK

In a revamped forum, Talbot Hall supporters will again voice their concern about a potential sale of the 200-year-old property on the Lafayette River.

The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, which owns the plantation and its four buildings, will host its second town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Church of the Ascension in the Talbot Hall neighborhood. The meeting is an opportunity for community members to offer suggestions to the diocese on what to do with Talbot Hall.

Almost 200 people packed the church for the first meeting, held June 30. Most people seemed in favor of the diocese's keeping Talbot Hall or giving it to an organization that could maintain it as a historic and environmental site.

In June 2009 the diocese formed a committee to study the financial effects of owning Talbot Hall, as well as how ownership fits its future goals.

"Ultimately what I hope is that the diocese can manage the property effectively, for the long-term benefit of the diocese and the community," said Jim O'Brien, who lives across the street from Talbot Hall. "If they take the recommendations seriously, they will."

The format of this meeting has been revamped since the first one, said Bud Schoolar, chairman of the diocese's advisory properties committee. As at the first meeting, Schoolar said, he will give a short presentation on the purpose and intent of the committee.

But then, those in attendance will be able to pose questions to a panel that includes Schoolar, other members of the properties committee and Bishop Holly Hollerith, who appointed the committee. The panel will be moderated by Cathy Lewis of WHRV-Radio's "HearSay" program. Lewis and her husband, who serves as the chief clergy adviser to the bishop, recently moved out of the plantation house at Talbot Hall.

At the last meeting, several people were upset that only Schoolar and one other member of the committee attended, and asked that more of the committee come to the second meeting. Schoolar said Monday that at least five members of the committee will attend.

"They wanted more transparency about the committee. They wanted the bishop there. We have made changes to accommodate them, and I hope it has a positive effect," Schoolar said. "This properties committee is not an insensitive bureaucracy. It is volunteers from all over the diocese. They are just like those folks in the room."

Shayna Meliker, (757) 446-2326, shayna.meliker@pilotonline.com