THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 2, 1995 TAG: 9506300272
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 126 lines
Citizens should be alarmed by the move to consolidate the city's five independent mosquito control commissions. This is not a new concept. Council has looked seriously at reorganization several times in the past five years.
From the revenue collected by the city, each commission must finance its entire operation. In Western Branch these expenditures include employing 14 personnel, maintaining our facility on Taylor Road, procuring supplies, and replacement equipment. All of this is done without borrowed money. Each year 6 percent of our budget is set aside for emergencies. If not used, these funds roll over to a fund used for capital improvements, such as replacement vehicles.
Commissioners, who manage the finances, are appointed by council and serve without pay. Tax cuts, including this year's, would not have been possible without sound fiscal management by the commission.
Consolidation would confiscate the public property and funds belonging to the citizens of Western Branch and combine them with the assets of the four other districts. The new city-wide district would be under the direct control of the city manager.
There are no cost efficiencies or service improvements in the proposed consolidation plan. In fact, the additional expense of a coordinator is proposed. Without a tax increase, this will mean services must decrease.
This commissioner is always interested in ways to improve service and reduce costs. I want to thank citizens who have provided input because we are committed to continuous improvement. Now it is time for citizens to ask council members why it is necessary to ``fix'' a system that is working well.
S. Edward Weidner
Commissioner
Western Branch Mosquito Control
eweidner(AT)ix.netcom.com Take pride in SPSA
Upon reading the guest editorial by Virginia Beach City Councilman Robert K. Dean concerning the issue of solid waste management and flow control (The Clipper, June 9), I am compelled to respond to the inaccuracies reflected in his article.
The eight cities and counties of Hampton Roads that make up the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) should take great pride in this regional approach to such a vital area as solid waste management. The program run by this authority serves as a model to municipal regions all over the country. Mr. Dean's reference to SPSA as a monopoly is an interesting one. In 1976, the leadership of the participating cities and counties saw the wisdom in creating a regional authority capable of delivering one of the highest quality solid waste management programs in the country. As council members, Mr. Dean's predecessors had the foresight to recognize the economic benefits of a regional authority capable of processing the area's waste in an economically sound, environmentally responsible and efficiently run facility.
In reference to the recent increase in the disposal rates and tipping fees, it was not until the loss of flow control in 1994 that it became necessary for SPSA to raise management fees. Prior to this, our region enjoyed the benefit of solid waste management fees far below the national average. This would suggest low control does not, in fact, increase long-term costs to the cities and taxpayers. Perhaps the ``hidden tax'' referenced by Mr. Dean is more the result of the loss of flow control than its implementation.
Our region should take great pride in the fact that only 45 percent of the solid waste processed by SPSA goes into a landfill. The remaining 55 percent is put to beneficial use. I find this alternative much more forward thinking than land-filling 100 percent of collected waste by the private haulers in our area. Flow control does not prohibit private industry from participating in solid waste management, rather it provides a safe, economical and environmentally sound method for the ultimate disposal of solid waste by the SPSA communities.
Now, more than ever, the cities and counties of Hampton Roads need to work together to promote regional efforts to handle decisive issues such as solid waste management, water, etc., if we are to be successful in attracting businesses to our area. The Southeastern Public Service Authority is a shining example of cities and counties working together to solve a regional problem.
Sharon Lessard
Foxgate Quarter Teacher, school appreciated
My daughter and I are writing to applaud the excellent work of the staff and faculty at Greenbrier Intermediate School, especially her fourth-grade teacher, John C. Sammons.
Mr. Sammons is extremely devoted to his students and makes learning fun through hands-on projects and creativity. We will never forget the adventures and enrichment he has brought us this school year, and we think the community should be aware of his talents and contributions.
All the staff at Greenbrier Intermediate School have been outstanding this year, and we're thankful for their work. Good luck to Mr. Sammons and all the rest at Greenbrier.
Noel Lielsen and Laura Coffey
Copperstone Circle Help in emergency
I received the shock of my life April 11 at about 1:45 a.m., when my wife, Naomi, went into cardiac arrest. I immediately started cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
I called 911 for assistance, and the response time was minimum. Four Emergency Medical Service personnel arrived in an ambulance and fire truck. They worked on my wife very professionally for about 45 minutes in the house and ambulance. She was taken to Chesapeake General Hospital, but did not survive.
I thank Chesapeake's EMS personnel for their consideration, professionalism and untiring efforts.
Raymond L. ``Spike'' Whitley
Fourth Street Losing a friend
Maybe it was inevitable. Lugene Cuffee became a murder victim last Sunday at the age of 32. He was a character.
I worked at his apartment complex for the past year on renovations. I would see him two or three times a day, coming and going. Everyone called him Cowboy. He had written the name on the back of his jacket above a Chicago Bulls emblem. In the spring, I'd see him with layers of clothes and beads of sweat on his forehead. We'd joke that he didn't need all that stuff. Off he would walk with his backpack. He'd walk miles. He had a lot of stories.
He was on some medication that seemed to help him with his difficulties. In all the times I saw him, I never felt physically threatened.
That is why, for me, it is a shame that those who shot him through the door of his own apartment couldn't have left just a little room for him on this earth. Maybe he'll find some room in the next.
So long, Cowboy. Happy trials.
Randy Hylton
Killington Arch by CNB