THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 14, 1994 TAG: 9407120159
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE KNEPLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
City Councilman W. Randy Wright doesn't mince words when it comes to Ocean View's would-be secessionists.
Although you might say he gets a bit sarcastic.
``I'd like to see them secede, but don't take my district with them,'' Wright quipped at a Planning Commission meeting last Friday. ``I think we could all join in and create a fund to help them secede individually.''
Wright, whose Ward 5 includes Ocean View, also described the secessionists as a ``politically motivated'' small group of complainers.
``I don't know of any credible civic league president or civic leader'' involved in the secession effort, he said.
The campaign to turn Ocean View into a separate city is led by Michael Bond and James Dozier. Bond lost to Wright in the May council elections. Dozier is editor and publisher of The Ocean View Times community newspaper.
At press time, Bond declined to name other leaders without their permission. But he said the petition drive is led by a seven-member executive committee.
When he announced the petition drive two weeks ago, Bond said Ocean View residents were ``fed up with years and year of neglect'' while City Hall emphasized downtown development.
Wright, who has long positioned himself as a proponent of more City Hall spending in Norfolk neighborhoods, contends that it is impractical for Ocean View to become a separate city.
``The taxes would be higher. How would they pay for services? For a water system? For a high school, for police, for social services, for a planning department. My God, the list goes on and on and on,'' Wright said. ``I don't think there's anybody with any balance who is in favor of seeing Ocean View secede from the city.''
But Bond countered that he believes Ocean View and some adjoining sections would be able to produce enough taxes to supply necessary services plus ``give Ocean View residents a tax break.''
He also said ``retired city employees and former Norfolk city councilmen'' would help organize an Ocean View government. ILLUSTRATION: Councilman W. Randy Wright
Says plan is impractical
by CNB