Commissions

Advisory Commission for Persons with Disabilities

Purpose
To suggest to public officials the areas of Suffolk that need modification for persons with disabilities to be able to take full advantage of the City's services.

Members

• Mary Hill
• Mamie Martin Ross
• Glen Edwards Ellis
• Annette Etheridge
• Barbara Sumpter
• James E. Nichols
• Iness Taylor
• Marlondos C. Fields

Early Childhood Development Commission

Purpose
To ensure that every child in the City of Suffolk develops to his/her fullest potential socially, physically, emotionally and cognitively.

Members

• Karen Gunter, National Association for the Education of Young Children
• Tamie Rittenhouse, Pediatric Medical Services
• Marie K. Baker, Specialist in Child Development
• Virginia Staylor, Obici Representative
• Dr. Deran Whitney, Assistant Superintendent, Suffolk Public
• Anne H. Fischer, at-large Representative
• Jennifer Foster, at-large Representative
• Lori White, at-large Representative
• Bonnie Maki , at-large Representative
• Joice Whitehorn, staff Representative
• Lakita Frazier, Child Care Representative

Website
www.suffolkecdc.com

Liason
Brenda M. O'Donnell, Early Childhood Development Coordinator
(757) 514- 7457

Fine Arts Commission

Purpose
To act in an advisory capacity to City Council on matters relating to cultural activities and to the fine arts, and as an advisory board to museums in the City.

Members

• Vivian May
• Beatrice Reeves
• Katie A. Stallings
• Carolyn Colbert Champ
• Alice Mountjoy
• John Taylor
• Susan Blair
• Linda Gerek

Liason
Nancy Kinsinger, Recreation Specialist II
(757) 514-7250

Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC)

Purpose
Formed in 1990 by the merger of the Southeastern Virginia Planning District Commission and the Peninsula Planning District Commission; includes the Cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Surry, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg, and the Counties of Isle of Wight, James City, Southampton, York and Gloucester, with a combined population of 1.5 million residents. HRPDC staff gathers and interprets data about the Hampton Roads area regarding transportation, environmental, physical planning and economic issues for the municipalities it serves.

Members

• Linda Johnson, Mayor
• Selena Cuffee-Glenn, City Manager

Website
HRPDC

Historic Landmarks Commission

Purpose
Review board for the historic and cultural conservation districts of the City.

Members

• Mr. Randy Hicks, Chairman
• Rev. Isaac Baker
• Mr. Merritt Draper
• Mr. G. Stewart Tyler
• Ms. Geraldine Outterbridge
• Mr. Edward Lee King
• Ms. Susan M. Coley
• Mr. Fred D. Taylor
• Ms. Amy Elliott

Staff
Cindy Taylor, Secretary/Assistant Director of Planning
Shanda Davenport, Principal Planner
Jillian Scott, Office Assistant II
(757) 514-4060

Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission

Purpose
Solicits citizens' ideas throughout the City on what new activities, facilities and/or programs citizens would like to see undertaken by the City in the area of parks and recreation.

Members

• Ira Steingold
• Ivery Knight
• Judson West
• Clinton Jenkins
• Henry Buck, Jr.
• Jerry D. Canaday
• Calvin Fraizer
• Wayne Q. White

Website
Suffolk Parks & Recreation Department

Liasion
Lakita Frazier, Director, Parks and Recreation
(757) 514-7250

Planning Commission

Purpose
The City's Planning Commission is a State mandated body whose primary goal is to promote the orderly development of the City. The Commission serves primarily in an advisory capacity to the City Council. Typical functions include the preparation of a comprehensive plan for City Council consideration, making recommendations on rezoning and conditional use permit applications and approval of subdivision plats.

Members

• James Vacalis
• William H. Goodman, Sr.
• William S. Perry
• Arthur L. Singleton
• Vacant
• James R. Rountree
• Thomas Moore Savage
• Howard C. Benton

Website
Suffolk Planning Department

Liasion
Scott Mills, Director of Planning and Community Development
(757) 514-4070

Sister Cities Commission

Purpose
To serve as the City's link through which to coordinate cultural exchanges.

Members

• Mary Jane Naismith
• Dorothy Brinkley
• Monette Robinson Harrell
• Constance E. Jones
• Vacant
• Mary Anne Persons
• Susan Blair
• Derek K. Ross

Website
Sister Cities Commission

Liasion
Kevin Sary, Visitor Center Coordinator
(757) 514-4130

Suffolk Clean Community Commission

Purpose
To promote public interest in the general improvement of the environment; to initiate, plan and coordinate programs for litter control; and to encourage the placing, planting and/or preservation of trees, flowers, plants, shrubs and other objects of ornamentation.

Members

• LaVerne S. Flythe
• Susan P. Davis
• Amanda R. Rodgers
• Arminta Rawls
• Margaret Jones
• Evelyn Ledbetter
• Carolyn Butler
• W. Michael Lane
• Hugh R. Cross
• Kathy Lang Russell
• Margaret LaRocca
• Russell Meeks

Liasion
Michael Griffith, Litter Control Coordinator