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Residents urge sustained community‑based safety funding and question $3.3 million NoodleCon investment
Summary
Public speakers at the May 26 meeting urged continued funding for community‑based safety work (including a $2.6 million proposal for safer‑passage programs) and criticized the city's $3.3 million investment in NoodleCon for lacking local business and community inclusion.
Several public commenters used the city‑council public‑comment period on May 26 to press for sustained investment in community‑based public safety programs and to question how a recent $3.3 million city investment in NoodleCon benefited local residents and businesses.
Walter Harris, executive director of the Cool Foundation and co‑executive director of the Newport News Community Street Team, said his group needs sustained resources to continue safer‑passage work for students and neighborhood engagement. Harris told council that his organization’s proposal requested $2,600,000 "for us to conduct safer passage for the schools, for us to be out in these communities with these kids that we're already doing." He argued the work must be continuous rather than short‑term events to be effective.
Latanya Denson (who also goes by Abyss), executive director of Abu Unity Inc. and co‑executive director of the Newport News Community Street Team, thanked the city for hosting the regional symposium but pressed council on stewardship of a reported $3,300,000 investment in NoodleCon. Denson said planners told the community there were only four to five months to prepare and asked what partnerships, local‑business opportunities, and follow‑up plans remain for Newport News residents. She also said attendance capacity was around 8,000 and that general admission became free, raising questions about outcomes and local economic retention.
Fitzgerald Hardnet, a SWAM‑certified business owner and Central District resident, said he welcomed the city’s economic vision but asked for the results of a disparity study and what specific actions the city will take to ensure local small businesses have equitable access to contracting and procurement. Hardnet offered to consult on improving city communications to better reach and include local entrepreneurs.
Council response: in general remarks after public comment, council members and the mayor thanked staff and volunteers for the weekend events and said they would take feedback into account; no formal funding decision on the $2.6 million proposal was made during the meeting.
