THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 17, 1994 TAG: 9410130012
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
When Chesapeake Mayor William E. Ward begs for help in relieving traffic congestion on Battlefield Boulevard many residents wonder if he's serious. After all, it was Mayor Ward and his colleagues on City Council who caused the congestion by approving every shopping center, gas station, car-parts store, fast-food franchise, convenience store, building-supply house and car wash that came before them.
He's like a man who ties an anvil around his neck, goes swimming and then cries for help when he sinks.
Most people know that as soon as Battlefield Boulevard is widened, or bypassed, Mayor Ward and his colleagues will eagerly approve more developments and businesses so that traffic will flow no faster than it does now.
There is a terrile penalty to pay for growth, especially uncontrolled growth; but growth is what mayors pin their political life or death on.
Mayor Ward can do more to relieve congestion on Battlefield Boulevard than anyone else. He doesn't need our help. We need his.
CARL CAHILL
Chesapeake, Oct. 6, 1994 by CNB