The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, August 26, 1994                TAG: 9408250208
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER       PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Editorial 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   33 lines

ROAD BOND REFERENDUM MAKING A CHOICE

The prospect of taking on millions of dollars in additional public debt is scary. But the prospect of continuing to drive on roads that are increasingly overcrowded and inherently dangerous is scary, too.

There's one way to determine which of these two possibilities strikes the most fear in the hearts of Chesapeake residents: Just ask them.

That's what City Council intends to do by putting a $76.9 million road bond referendum on the November ballot. The vote will give citizens the opportunity to determine for themselves whether the road improvements they have been demanding are worth what they will cost.

Despite guarded assurances from city officials that much of the debt may be absorbed by future economic growth, there is a real possibility that new taxes may eventually be necessary as well. That's something that will have to be taken into consideration in making the decision.

During the next few months, while sitting behind the wheels of their cars, citizens will have plenty of time to think about what is most important to them and to get their priorities in order.

KEYWORDS: CHESAPEAKE CITY COUNCIL BOND REFERENDUM

by CNB