November Suffolk E-Newsletter

SUFFOLK E-NEWS

KEEP SUFFOLK BEAUTIFUL HOSTS RECYCLING DRIVE

AND TIRE AMNESTY DAY

Keep Suffolk Beautiful is thrilled to announce its upcoming Recycling Drive and Tire Amnesty Day for Suffolk residents. This event is scheduled for Saturday, November 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be hosted at 800 Carolina Road, Suffolk, Virginia, 23434.

The purpose of this event is to provide Suffolk residents with an excellent opportunity to recycle and dispose of items that may have accumulated in their garages, yards, and homes throughout the fall season.

Although this Recycling Drive is entirely free, food and toiletry donations will be accepted and distributed by the Suffolk Christian Fellowship Center.

This event also serves as one of Keep Suffolk Beautiful's two annual Tire Amnesty Days. Since tires can only be disposed of at the local landfill, this event provides a convenient option for Suffolk residents to drop off their residential tires. Staff will accept tires without rims, as long as they are no larger than 22 inches.

One of the most popular features at the Recycling Drive is the document shredding station, which will be managed by the Suffolk Sheriff’s Office and the Suffolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Deputies will be available to answer any questions about identity protection. Please note that during busy periods, the document shredding station may limit residents to three grocery bags of documents.

IT’S ALMOST TIME TO FALL BACK: DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

ENDS SUNDAY

It’s almost time to fall back! Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00 a.m. Sunday, November 5, but the good news is that we gain an hour of sleep!

Consider this your semiannual reminder from Suffolk Fire & Rescue to not only set any clocks that aren’t on a smart device behind one hour before heading to bed on Saturday night, but also to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly. The following are additional “timely” safety tips to keep your family safe:

Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, in the hallways leading to the bedrooms, and on each level of your home.
Smoke alarms should be mounted on the ceiling 4 inches from the wall; wall mounts should be 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling. Do not install smoke alarms near draft areas.
Smoke alarms with non-replaceable, long-life batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the low-battery alarm chirps, replace the entire alarm immediately.
Test your smoke alarm every month by holding down the test button.
For the best protection, equip your home with a combination of both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms.
Make sure everyone in your home understands the warning of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.
Finally, prepare and practice an escape plan so that you and your loved ones can get out of your home safely should there be a fire. Plan to meet in the front yard in a place where first responders can easily see you.

“Saving your life can be as simple as changing your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries at least twice a year, and any time you hear the “chirp” warning of a low battery,” says Battalion Chief Chris Cornwell, Suffolk Fire Marshal.

Wondering how to safely dispose of those replaced smoke alarm batteries? Look no further than your Suffolk Public Library, with convenient recycle containers at all local branches.

For more information on home fire safety, or to request assistance with checking smoke detectors and batteries, please contact the Suffolk Fire & Rescue Department at 757-514-4540.

SUFFOLK ELECTION DAY AND VETERAN’S DAY CLOSING SCHEDULE

For the upcoming Election Day and Veterans Day holidays, Suffolk City offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, and Friday, November 10, 2023. Normal operations will resume on Monday, November 13, at 8:30 a.m. It is important to note that the City observes all state-designated holidays, and both Election Day and Veterans Day are recognized as holidays for the Commonwealth of Virginia, resulting in the closure of all State offices on those days.

Election Day Holiday (Tuesday, November 7, 2023)

Suffolk Public Works Department will pick up trash as scheduled the period of November 7 - 9. TFC Recycling will also conduct their normal recycling collection routes the period of November 7 - 9. Suffolk Public Works Department reminds you that trash must be placed at curbside no later than 7 a.m. on the day of collection. For more information on refuse collection, please call Public Works at 757.514.7630.

The Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) Transfer Station in Suffolk and the Regional Landfill will be open Tuesday, November 7 from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.

Suffolk Transit will operate on Tuesday, November 7.

Suffolk Parks & Recreation Joint Use Recreation Centers (Kings Fork, Creekside, Northern Shores, Oakland, Booker T. Washington, Mack Benn, Jr.) will be closed Tuesday, November 7 and reopen on Wednesday, November 8 at 6:30 a.m. The schools will be open for the general election only. The East Suffolk Recreation Center, Curtis Milteer Recreation Center and Bennett’s Creek Recreation Center will be closed Tuesday, November 7 and reopen on Wednesday, November 8 at 6 a.m. The Suffolk Parks & Recreation Administration Office will be closed Tuesday, November 7, and reopen on Wednesday, November 8 at 8:30 a.m.

Suffolk’s four major parks (Lone Star Lakes, Lake Meade, Sleepy Hole, Bennett's Creek) will remain open Tuesday, November 7. However, no park attendant will be on duty.

The Suffolk Art Gallery will be closed Tuesday, November 7 and reopen on Wednesday, November 8 at 10 a.m.

All Suffolk City Libraries (Morgan Memorial, North Suffolk, Chuckatuck) will be closed on Tuesday, November 7 for the Election Day Holiday. Morgan Memorial and North Suffolk Libraries will reopen at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 8, while the Chuckatuck Library will reopen at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 13.

The Suffolk Visitor Center will be open on Tuesday, November 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum is closed for renovations.

The Suffolk Executive Airport terminal will be manned on Tuesday, November 7. The airfield, self-service fuel island, and restaurant will remain open on Tuesday, November 7.

Veterans Day Holiday (Friday, November 10, 2023)

Suffolk Public Works Department will operate on a one-day delay starting Friday, November 10. TFC Recycling will operate on a one-day delay starting Friday, November 10. Suffolk Public Works Department reminds you that trash must be placed at curbside no later than 7 a.m. on the day of collection. For more information on refuse collection, please call Public Works at 757.514.7630.

The Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) Transfer Station in Suffolk and the Regional Landfill will be open Saturday, November 11 from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.

Suffolk Transit will operate on Friday, November 10.

Suffolk Parks & Recreation Joint Use Recreation Centers (Kings Fork, Creekside, Northern Shores, Oakland, Booker T. Washington, Mack Benn, Jr.) will be closed Friday, November 10 and reopen on Monday, November 13 at 6:30 a.m. The East Suffolk Recreation Center, Curtis Milteer Recreation Center and Bennett’s Creek Recreation Center will be closed Friday, November 10 and reopen on Monday, November 13 at 6 a.m. The Suffolk Parks & Recreation Administration Office will be closed Friday, November 10, and reopen on Monday, November 13 at 8:30 a.m.

Suffolk’s four major parks (Lone Star Lakes, Lake Meade, Sleepy Hole, Bennett's Creek) will remain open Friday, November 10. However, no park attendant will be on duty.

The Suffolk Art Gallery will be closed Friday, November 10 and reopen on Saturday, November 11 at 10 a.m.

All Suffolk City Libraries (Morgan Memorial, North Suffolk, Chuckatuck) will be closed on Friday, November 10 for the Veterans Day Holiday. Morgan Memorial and North Suffolk Libraries will reopen at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 11. The Chuckatuck Library will reopen at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 13.

The Suffolk Visitor Center will be open on Friday, November 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum is closed for renovations.

The Suffolk Executive Airport terminal will be unmanned on Friday, November 10. The airfield, self-service fuel island, and restaurant will remain open on Friday, November 10.

SUFFOLK TRANSIT OFFERS FREE PUBLIC TRANSIT ON ELECTION DAY

Suffolk Transit is excited to announce free fares for public transportation services on Election Day, November 7, 2023. This initiative aims to provide voters with every opportunity to reach their polling locations.

Riders can access route details by visiting www.Suffolktransit.org or by downloading the ETA Spot App on their smart phone, which provides real-time bus information.

SUFFOLK TO INSTALL NEW PLAYGROUND AT COULBOURN PARK

The City of Suffolk Parks & Recreation Department is excited to announce the installation of a new playground at Coulbourn Park, located at 321 East Constance Road, beginning this week.

The Suffolk Parks & Recreation Department regularly inspects playground resources to ensure it meets or exceeds Consumer Product Safety Commission and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The average lifespan of a playground is roughly 20 years, after which, it is replaced. The existing playground will be demolished to make way for the new playground. Construction is estimated to last about two weeks while the park will remains open. However, for the public’s safety, the playground area will be closed and should be avoided.

For more information, contact (757) 514-7252 or parksemail@suffolkva.us.

UPCOMING TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR ROUTE 58 / HOLLAND ROAD CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

The Suffolk Public Works Department advises that the Route 58, Holland Road Corridor Widening project is preparing to implement a traffic pattern shift. This shift will affect the area between Grove Avenue and Center Point Drive, where westbound traffic will be redirected to the south side of the road. The purpose of this change is to facilitate the completion of construction on the north side of the road. The traffic pattern shift is expected to occur as early as November 13, 2023.

The traffic pattern for the eastern section of the project, extending from Grove Avenue to the US 13 Bypass, will remain unchanged.

The Suffolk Public Works Department will place message boards to ensure that motorists are well-informed of these upcoming changes and to provide timely notifications.

For more information, contact Suffolk Public Works at 757 514-7725 or visit the project webpage at www.suffolkva.us/route58

SUFFOLK CITY MANAGER SPEARHEADS THE SECOND ANNUAL GREAT SUFFOLK CLEAN-UP, SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 17-18

Suffolk City Manager Al Moor is gearing up once again for the second Great Suffolk Cleanup, scheduled for November 17-18. As the driving force behind this citywide beautification initiative, he is rallying the entire community to join in. In a continuation of his support, Mr. Moor has authorized the participation of City employees, following the example of the over 450 employees who participated in the inaugural Great Suffolk Cleanup this past March.

Mr. Moor expressed his excitement, stating, "The success of the first Great Suffolk Cleanup was truly remarkable, with more than 1,000 individuals came together to remove over 1,300 bags of litter and disposing of over 400 tires. I hope this next effort will surpass it. Once again, I am calling on our city staff from all departments to participate. However, to truly make a visible impact, we need the entire community to come forward—civic organizations, businesses, families, and individuals. Personally, I plan to roll up my sleeves and pick up litter along Wilroy Road."

Check out the City Manager’s promotional video supporting the event here:

https://youtu.be/VhWpjrwysTw

The cleanup initiative is scheduled for November 17 and 18, 2023. City of Suffolk employees will be participating during their workday on Friday, but local groups and individuals are encouraged to take part on either day. Registered participants are free to choose any location within Suffolk for their cleanup efforts and will be supplied with vests, grabbers, bags, and other necessary equipment for litter collection. Suffolk Public Works will ensure the proper disposal of bagged trash at the conclusion of the event.

Interested volunteers can register online at www.suffolkva.us/cleanup

For further details or assistance in organizing your cleanup activities, please reach out to the Litter Control team at Littercontrol@suffolkva.us or call 757-514-7604.

SUFFOLK’S ANNUAL GRAND ILLUMINATION

KICKS OFF HOLIDAY SEASON

Suffolk Parks & Recreation is proud to kick-off the Suffolk holiday season with the annual Grand Illumination Ceremony on Friday, November 17, 2023, at 6 p.m. at Market Park, located at 326 North Main Street, in downtown Suffolk.

The outdoor tree-lighting event will ring in the holidays for the community when the switch is flipped to illuminate the 32-foot tree!

This family-friendly event offers festive seasonal music, including a performance by the Oakland Elementary School Choir, as well as complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides. Children’s activities also include holiday-themed crafts, puppet shows in the heated tent, and a visit from Santa Claus- who will make his grand entrance shortly after the lighting of the tree.

Parking is available at the Suffolk Visitor Center, 524 North Main Street. Shuttle service will run from the Godwin Courts Building parking lot, 150 North Main Street, and First Baptist Church parking lot, 237 North Main Street, beginning at 5:45 p.m.

For more information, contact (757) 514-7267 or sslate@suffolkva.us.

CITY OF SUFFOLK

UPDATING CIVIC/COMMUNITY LEAGUE ORGANIZATIONS

Are you part of a community organization or civic league and wish to update your contact information? If so, we would love to hear from you. Additionally,

if you are looking to volunteer or work with the City of Suffolk, let us know that, too!

Call the Department of Media & Community Relations to include your organization in our registry.

Call 757-514-4000 or email gburford@suffolkva.us .