THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 28, 1994 TAG: 9411250370
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
Republicans will soon have a majority in Congress, partly because of their support for a balanced-budget amendment and reduced taxes. But this means massive cuts in government spending, and some people are just not ready to give up their government handouts. Abolish welfare, reduce government pensions, cut entitlements, but make sure I get my handout.
No better demonstration of this attitude can be found than among the residents and owners of beachfront property in Sandbridge. They insist that the government protect them from their own poor judgment and provide lots of money to replenish the sand washed away from their beach.
The City Council tells us that 65 percent of the money for sand replenishment will come from the state and federal governments. Where does City Council think the state and federal governments get their money?
We are led to believe that a special taxing district will place on Sandbridge residents and property owners the burden of future replenishment costs. If revenues from Sandbridge alone could cover the costs, this problem would have been solved long ago.
There are roles for government to play when tax dollars are disbursed for needed services. Victims of unforeseen disaster sometimes need government help. And the oceanfront area further north is an asset that the city must protect with money generated from tourism. But sand replenishment at Sandbridge does not fall into any of these categories.
DOUGLAS SIMPSON
Virginia Beach, Nov. 20, 1994 by CNB