THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408260280
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
I wrote the article that The Beacon entitled ``Agricultural Reserve: reaping tax money'' (Aug. 14) in a deliberately provocative manner to elicit responses and capture the attention of the taxpayer/reader. It provoked Councilman John A. Baum enough to make him pen ``ARP: saving farming - and tax money'' (Beacon, Aug. 21).
Let's hope a few taxpayers are interested enough to follow the ARP proposal, making Council explain and fully cost it out before committing to the extensive funding ARP will require. Councilman Baum's missive will have served a good purpose if this results - I only wish his evaluation of my motives and agricultural acumen had been a little more charitable!
I have a great respect and empathy for the legitimate farmer who is trying to run a viable operation - ``viable'' meaning: without infusions of taxpayer money. My basic contention is that for all the reasons cited by Councilman Baum, the fellow trying to do this in a conventional manner is playing against a stacked deck. I would defend his right to give it a try but do not believe it is the responsibility of the city, state or federal taxpayer to fund his effort.
Councilman Baum implies that 5 percent of the population of Virginia Beach is non-urban. Not all these folks own land. According to an article in the June 24 Virginian-Pilot, not all land would be part of the program. The Aug. 10 Beacon reports that Council is seriously considering ARP and has suggested a dedicated tax to raise $3 million to $4 million per year to buy development rights. This seems to support the opening paragraph of my article that so upset Councilman Baum:
The Agricultural Reserve Program, like the Sandbridge sand-replenishment program, proposes to preserve the lifestyle of a select few at a frightful cost to the taxpayers . . . thwarting . . . basic econom-ics.
Donald E. Babcock
South Parliament Drive by CNB