THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 9, 1994 TAG: 9410080131
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
Citizens who want to communicate with their representatives on the City Council aren't allowed to talk to them at official meetings anymore, but maybe they can send a them a fax.
Council members spent Thursday afternoon shopping for fancy facsimile machines, which most of them intend to have installed in their homes at a cost to the taxpayers of $1,439 each.
The high-tech equipment, they say, will increase government efficiency by making it easier for council members to pass papers back and forth among themselves and city staff.
Other South Hampton Roads cities provide fax machines to council members, but not one so loaded with top-of-the-line options as the one the Council has its heart set on. This model has laser-printing, a super memory, and even a speed dialer, so the council members will be spared the trouble of having to punch in numbers with their fingers.
It's a real whiz-bang gizmo.
The council members are being coy about how they intend to pay for their new toy, but we'd be mighty surprised if this allocation shows up on their official agenda.
If the new machines are delivered before next month's bond referendum, the council members can send out faxes explaining to taxpayers why the city doesn't have money enough for decent roads.
KEYWORDS: CHESAPEAKE CITY COUNCIL by CNB