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January

Farmers Bank, TowneBank merger complete

Nearly a year after a bitter split between its founding family and board of directors, Farmers Bank’s merger with Suffolk-based TowneBank was complete.  TowneBank announced that the merger was effective Jan. 13, leaving Isle of Wight County without a locally based bank for the first time in history.

February

Bennett’s Creek Farm Market shutters its doors

In a news release from company president Martha Shirley, they said the closure of the landmark store on Feb. 20 was due to current economic challenges, including higher labor and food costs, and the market could not compete in the developing area.  

James “Jim” and Martha Shirley said in their news release that they want their customers and the entire community to know that “sadly neither they nor anyone else will be reopening their wonderful Bennett’s Creek Farm Market.”

March

Traffic video, photo enforcement approved for use in Suffolk

An ordinance approved Wednesday, March 16 allowed for photo and video monitoring of traffic enforcement in Suffolk.  The City Council voted to amend the city code during the meeting and the city implemented work zone and school bus arm cameras later in the year.

April

Second Tractor Supply opens in Suffolk

Tractor Supply Co., the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, celebrated its grand opening of a second Suffolk store Thursday, April 13 through Sunday, April 16.

Throughout the weekend, the company offered special sales, daily giveaways, and more at the new 120 Maya Way location. 

May

Mayor talks Momentum in State of the City address

“Momentum” was Suffolk Mayor Michael D. Duman’s keyword from his 2023 State of the City address to the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce on May 16.

The address was held at the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront is an annual forum that provides information on the city’s recent achievements while noting new investments coming in the future to Hampton Roads civic, business and community leaders.

“Momentum is a commonly used term in sports,” Duman said. “A team that has the momentum is on the move and is going to take some effort to stop. I contend that the City of Suffolk has unquestionably and indisputably has momentum.” Duman said Suffolk is projected to have a 23% increase in population over the next 20 years, according to the U.S. Census. 

“Not surprisingly, Suffolk was the only city in Virginia to crack Smart Asset’s top 100 fast-growing cities list, coming in at number 78,” he told the crowd. “Smart Asset analyzed data from 494 of the largest cities in America and found that Suffolk had a 3.12% average yearly GDP growth, a 9.55% growth in the number of businesses, and a 9.28% growth in housing units.”

June

Two new businesses announced in Bridgeport

Two new businesses are coming to Bridgeport, the mixed-use development located in Northern Suffolk.  Mayor Michael D. Duman made the announcement during the 2023 Suffolk State of the City Address held at the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront on Tuesday, May 16.

Westside Burgers will offer “burgers and fries in a lively atmosphere with a western theme,” said Duman during his speech. The menu will also include kosher hot dogs, fries, wings and more. The restaurant is expected to open this summer.

Sojourn Fermentory was also announced during the address. Its opening date is yet to be determined.  “Sojourn Fermentory is working hard to launch its new 9,200 square foot space,” Duman detailed during his speech. “The new concept will feature a tasting and dining room, a full kitchen, and an outdoor beer garden. Sojourn will also engage with charity fundraisers and community festivals.”

July

Judge dismisses Port 460 lawsuit

In the Friday, July 21 hearing at Isle of Wight County Courthouse, Circuit Court Judge Matthew A. Glassman dismissed the suit brought by three individuals ruling they had “no standing” to challenge the ordinance granting the rezoning on the property.

The law firm Randall, Page and Bruch filed the lawsuit on behalf of Dale Roberts, Gerard Celia and Sterling Taylor in Suffolk Circuit Court last October seeking to block City Council’s decision to rezone property for development of the Port 460 Logistics Center on 2925 Pruden Boulevard.

Glassman said the plaintiff’s complaints of safety, noise pollution and traffic issues presented to the court were making “conclusory statements.” 

Roberts was at the hearing, while Celia and Roberts were absent.

Attorney Chris Daniels addressed the judge’s ruling.

“We respectfully disagree and we attend to appeal,” Daniels said.

In the lawsuit, Roberts, Celia and Taylor contend City Council’s approval of the application for rezoning “was unreasonable, without valid basis in law, arbitrary and capricious, based on consideration of inappropriate factors, and made without giving due consideration to factors it should have considered such as the health, safety, order, prosperity, the conservation of the city’s natural and historic resources, and the general welfare of the city and its residents.” 

August

SPS transgender policy update sparks debate at committee meeting

Proposed updates to Suffolk Public Schools’ transgender policies met with questions and concerns about language on the role of school officials, parents and students during a special meeting of the Policy Review Committee.

The School Board committee got its first chance to review the updates proposed by Superintendent John B. Gordon III, Ph.D., designed to bring the district policies inline with the state’s new model policy

Meeting Monday, Aug. 7 at the Curtis R. Milteer Sr. Recreational Center, Policy Review Committee members Dr. Judith Brooks-Buck, Phyllis Byrum, and Dr. Dawn Marie Brittingham of the Nansemond, Whaleyville, and Holy Neck boroughs reviewed the proposed update with Gordon and School Board Attorney Wendell Waller.

Last updated on Aug.12, 2021, the current update focuses on definitions, nondiscrimination compliance, counseling service availability, name and pronoun usage and more.

“We’re going to understand that we’re going to keep parents involved in what we’re trying to do, however, there has to be some level of being able to preserve the students’ rights. Especially if what the student feels comfortable with or the student’s rights conflicts with the parents wants,” Gordon told the committee. “That’s the challenge that we were having and also some of the questions that some of my colleagues posed during the webinar.”

Gordon reviewed suggested updates in a section meant to balance all of these rights.

September

JFK Middle School prepares for a major facelift

John F. Kennedy Middle School’s replacement project is in the final stages before beginning construction. The school’s condition has been the subject of many discussions during school board meetings: a facilities condition assessment presented at the Thursday, March 9 board meeting showed that JFKMS had a facility condition index rating of 34.09%, ranking in “poor” condition. During the Thursday, Sept. 21, school board work session, board members discussed the Capital Improvement Plan and ranked the SPS facilities with immediate need. JFKMS was ranked at number one. 

Suffolk Public Schools Superintendent Dr. John B. Gordon III provided a follow-up on what residents can expect next for the school’s replacement project.

“Everything has already been approved for the official construction to begin. Now it’s just really about finalizing all your subcontractors, which the construction company is going to do,” Gordon said. “We’ll be working for the next two years, probably about 26, maybe 28 months. And as soon as the new building is up and school has now ended, we’re going to move the staff out, this will be in the summer. Move the staff in June of 2026, move them out of the old building into the new one.”

The project broke ground in October.

October

SPD Chief steps down, council moves quickly to name interim

In a Facebook post on his personal page, SPD Chief Al Chandler, Jr. announced his retirement effective Oct. 1. Chandler has been chief since Jan. 7, 2022, and served as interim for a year and a half prior to his appointment.

“IT IS FINISHED! I am please[d] to announce that effective Oct. 1, 2023, I am officially retired from the Suffolk Police Department,” the post reads. “It has been an amazing pleasure of mine to take care of the citizens of this city. This has been in process for a while, and today it is official.”

Chandler went on to highlight a few of his accomplishments while leading the department and noted the announcement is “bittersweet.”

Later that same day, Suffolk City Manager Al Moor announced in a news release Maj. James “Danny” Buie will serve as interim Chief of Police as the search for a permanent replacement begins.

“Chief Chandler has been a dedicated leader and has left a lasting positive impact on our city. We wish him a well-deserved retirement and will work diligently to ensure a seamless transition in leadership,” Moor said about Chandler.

Buie is still serving as interim chief, with no timeline for naming a permanent replacement.

November

Royal Farms withdraws conditional use permit application for proposed Bridge Rd location

While the new Royal Farms at 1200 Portsmouth Blvd celebrates its long-awaited opening, the company withdrew its application for a proposed location on Bridge Road Thursday.

During the Suffolk City Council meeting on Thursday, City Manager Al Moor announced the removal of a public hearing from the consent agenda regarding the company’s application for a conditional use permit (CUP) to operate a convenience store located at 1869 Bridge Road (CUP2023-017). The removal, Moor said, was due to the withdrawal of the application by Royal Farms.

“This afternoon [Nov. 15, 2023], the applicant submitted a request to remove item 17 from tonight’s agenda and from further consideration,” Moor said.

With this withdrawal, the company cannot reapply for this application for at least one year.

Attempts to reach Two Farms, Inc. d/b/a Royal Farms for further comment were unsuccessful.

The proposal for this location was met with heavy opposition from residents during the Oct. 17 Planning Commission’s public hearing.

December

Suffolk welcomes first Publix in Hampton Roads

Residents flocked to the new Publix at Planters Station on Godwin Blvd early Wednesday morning as the store celebrated its long-awaited grand opening. 

Those on hand were excited about being a part of the store’s grand opening. Cynthia Johnson said that she was “excited” to come out and see what the “new store” in Suffolk was all about. Taquita Parker also talked about her first-day shopping at Publix.

“It was an easy shopping experience,” said Parker. “I’m actually heading back this afternoon.”

Publix Super Markets Media Relations Manager Jared Glover talked about what it meant to him seeing the moments of first-time shoppers experiencing the store.

“These are always the most exciting moments for me because I get to see the excitement on our customers’ faces, especially in being in Hampton Roads,” Glover said. “This is our first one. A lot of the folks here have not experienced a Publix, so being able to see them come in and experience this, it’s always a pleasure for our customers for the first time. It makes me excited to be here.”

Glover talked about the investment process of bringing Publix to Suffolk.

“There’s a lot of facets that go into choosing a new location, opening up a new store. Working with cities obviously, talking with our communities, seeing where areas are growing, all of those things play a part in the bigger picture of building a store in our community,” he said. “We’re just happy that we’re able to meet that need, especially here in Suffolk, and happy to see these customers here.”