Free clinic thanks city; resident urges immediate parkland purchases including VDOT parcel

During the public‑comment period on Dec. 9, two residents addressed council on community services and parks.

Wendell Waller, board chair of the Western Tidewater Free Clinic, thanked council for the city's financial support and provided service figures for fiscal year 2024–25, including more than 1,000 city residents served and thousands of clinic visits and dispensed medications; Waller described an individual case (named Tony in the remarks) to illustrate the clinic’s role in coordinating care and medication access for high‑risk patients.

Will Webb urged the council to act quickly to secure parkland while parcels remain available, specifically recommending purchase of a VDOT parcel currently under rezoning consideration to anchor a downtown riverwalk and event space. Webb said Suffolk has roughly 1,400 acres of parks, with approximately 1,200 acres concentrated at Lone Star Lakes Park, leaving limited park acreage for the rest of the city's 428 square miles; he compared Suffolk’s park acreage to neighboring cities and said rising land prices make prompt action important.

Council members acknowledged both speakers and noted the city and the Economic Development Authority have previously used acquisition and funding tools for strategic projects. Council did not take direct action on Webb’s request during the meeting.