THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 27, 1994 TAG: 9408270004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
Regarding ``Virginia Beach set to launch downtown'' (news, Aug. 9): When Norfolk recently announced the successful recruitment of Nordstrom and Macy's for the Mac-Arthur Center largely through the efforts of its economic development director, Robert Smithwick, I heard nothing but praise from my business associates at the Beach for the excellent job that Smithwick and the Norfolk council had done in bringing two such fine, upscale retail establishments to our area.
It's possible, however, that some highly placed person in our city might have had a personal opinion questioning the viability of these stores coming to Norfolk, but I sincerely doubt that he would have made such a statement to the news media.
I immediately took offense at reading Mr. Smithwick's comment beside his picture, describing our plan as ``an initiative that will never come to pass.'' He stated further that ``regionalism will never be a realism as long as cities in the region try to be something they're not. You are what you are.''
Mr. Smithwick has certainly demonstrated his ability and qualifications for the position he holds, and his opinion on such a subject would have a measure of credibility, but I submit that if he is truly interested in advancing the cause of regionalism, as many of us are, he will in the future attempt to restrain himself from such public responses.
As Mr. Smithwick says, Virginia Beach is an outstanding residential community, and tourism certainly takes a high priority in our economic development, but just as Norfolk is attempting to enhance tourism, the Beach is also striving to balance its economy with corporate growth. The efforts of both cities will surely advance our Virginia waterfront.
R. DAWSON TAYLOR
Virginia Beach, Aug. 18, 1994 by CNB