THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 11, 1994 TAG: 9412090288
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Another View
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Government Reform in Portsmouth was established in the fall of 1993 to define the main issues facing the electorate in the City Council election held in May. After the election, GRIP decided to continue to meet with the purpose of monitoring the actions or inactions of our city government; to bring to the attention of our citizens areas of continuing concern; and to submit beneficial suggestions to our elected officials.
In a Nov. 18, 1994 letter to Mayor Gloria O. Webb, GRIP requested that a citizens' panel be established to study privatization and volunteered GRIP members to serve on such a panel.
In her Nov. 28, 1994 response, Webb said that she could not ``see a need for such a panel. We have (more than 50) boards and commissions, including the Municipal Finance Commission, dedicated to efficient municipal government. We value the dedicated service and advice that they offer.''
We, like all other citizens and taxpayers pray for a more-efficient and cost-effective government at all levels. We dislike the ever-increasing taxes and service fees, and we strongly believe it is absolutely mandatory that we ensure our tax dollars are not squandered or wasted. Every avenue should be explored to reduce the cost of government.
One of the means that might be available to effect a cost reduction is to ``contract out'' some of the services now performed ``in house'' by the city manager. Numerous possibilities readily come to mind and if it can be accomplished, without service degradation and at a substantially lower cost, it should be done. Certainly, essential services, such as fire and police protection or that which may impair the safety of our citizens, should not be considered.
Government, at both national and state levels are currently studying alternative means of providing for the needs of the people. Gov. George Allen recently completed a study by a citizens' panel and it appears that cost-saving revisions are in the making. Are we not going to take the same initiative here in Portsmouth? Are we to believe that what we have, with ever-increasing costs and taxes, is how it must be done in the future? If so, we have much in common with the ostrich.
We would hope that our elected city officials would recognize the need for such a study, by a citizens' panel, regardless of how many boards and commissions currently exist. If not, perhaps some of them also might not see the forest for the trees. This possible tunnel vision is precisely why a citizens' panel should be established for a study rather than it being accomplished from within our city government. (And please, not another consultant).
To suggest that the Municipal Finance Commission might in some fashion accomplish the undertaking might be more than can be expected in view of their makeup, charter and purpose. Moreover, it has been reported that this commission, which is required by our city code to ``meet at least monthly in regular session,'' has so far in 1994, only met on two occasions when the required quorum was present.
We are of the firm belief that a sincere and dedicated effort should be commenced without delay to review the possibilities of privatizing some of our services. If such a study reveals that privatizing selected services would cause a substantial decrease in cost and our tax dollars then we suggest it be accomplished.
Join us at a GRIP meeting, where issues such as these are raised and thoroughly discussed. Together we can make a difference!
Marion H. Morris
Chairman
Government Reform in Portsmouth
Nov. 18, 1994 MEMO: Government Reform in Portsmouth meets on the third Wednesday of each
month, at 3 p.m., Life Savings Bank, at High Street and Frederick
Boulevard.
by CNB