THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 1, 1994 TAG: 9408310145
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: GUEST COMMENTARY
SOURCE: BY ANDREW B. DAMIANI
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Most members used the Aug. 17 Suffolk City Council meeting to vent their frustration, advance their philosophical views or act out political posturing. Of course, there was some good ol' deja vu, and none of this had any direct bearing on issues at hand.
Example: A request to downzone the approved (1988) King's Landing development on Va. Route 10. The applicant wants to build fewer units than previously approved.
By right, the applicant can build the larger number, as Mayor S. Chris Jones advised. So why all the fuss? Most concerns expressed by council members are addressed in the zoning ordinance, which is executed administratively by city staff and the Planning Commission.
Time was wasted, the meeting prolonged and the request passed unanimously.
An excellent suggestion from Councilman Tom Underwood: a comprehensive study for future development along the Route 10 corridor. It merits council action.
The blockbuster story came at the end. Councilman Charles Brown, requesting that inspections of Parker Riddick/Cypress Manor Apartments (owned by the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority) be authorized by City Council, revealed that he had met with some tenants about deplorable conditions and appearances of some units. This meeting prompted his request.
Councilman Brown, a former SRHA commissioner, always has championed affordable, safe and clean housing, so it was good for him to voice the tenants' concern and to fight for them.
He said he visited some of the apartments and found the conditions ``devastating, shocking, unsafe and unhealthy.'' Building official Vanessa Savage also told the council the apartments need inspecting.
Councilman Brown concluded that if the city can get the apartments cleaned up and improved, then residents can have pride and improve their quality of life.
Eyebrows were raised when Mr. Brown suggested that when the inspectors came, ``bring the police, too.''
Vice mayor Curtis Milteer said what he was hearing from Brown was that the environment around the grounds was unsatisfactory, not that anyone is asking the city to go into the apartment building. That's just what Brown asked.
Milteer concluded, ``If HUD came down to Suffolk, they would put the SRHA out of business.'' Because of trash?
Other council members expressed bewilderment at the confusing dialogue. Councilman Sammy Carter, obviously upset, said, ``It's a dump over there. Let's clean it up.'' He didn't spell out who was responsible.
Councilwoman Marian Rogers stated that inspections of the rental occupancy program are executed between occupancies, not during. She was correct.
Both the mayor and manager correctly tried to put a good face on the conflicting dialogue by suggesting that some of the problems could rest with the tenant, SRHA or the city, and any combination thereof. An investigation will be done.
Some questions come to mind:
Is it proper for council members to accompany a building official on inside housing inspections?
Do tenants of public and private rental housing have some responsibility to keep grounds and dwellings clear of trash and debris?
Should housing inspection be done without advance notice to tenants and/or landlords?
The press did not report one single word to the public about the 2 1/2-hour council meeting. The council and the public deserve better. by CNB