THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 18, 1995 TAG: 9501180462
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANCIE LATOUR, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
The city unveiled an $826 million, five-year capital budget Tuesday, which calls for new roads, schools and a $13 million public golf course.
But some residents told the City Council that it needs to rethink its priorities and invest first in basic services.
More than 20 residents and civic leaders came to speak at the council's public hearing on the fiscal plan, the first step in the city's efforts to hammer out a long-range budget.
Some took to the podium to commend the council for helping their communities thrive and to ask for improvements in recreation and parking.
But those from the city's older or predominantly black neighborhoods said the city's plan is out of sync with their need for essentials.
``We're asking you to convert the fat in this budget into muscle,'' said Lamont Simmons, president of Chesapeake Forward, a citizen advocacy group.
Simmons and others pointed specifically to the 18-hole public golf course that was included in the proposed budget.
That course, Simmons said, would waste funds that could go to sewer hook-ups in the city's Parkview neighborhood or pay for sidewalks along Great Bridge Boulevard for children who travel to Crestwood Intermediate and Crestwood Middle schools.
``I'm here tonight emphasizing safety,'' said Kevin G. Pace, president of Crestwood Precinct Civic League.
Without those sidewalks on Great Bridge Boulevard and Campostella Road, Pace said, children and adults who walk the busy streets would continue to be in danger.
``We have to do something before somebody's child, somebody's son or daughter, gets killed,'' he said.
Their pleas struck a chord with some council members.
``We have people who need not luxury items, but necessity items,'' said Councilman Robert T. Nance. ``They've been isolated from water and sewer, with all these new communities popping up around them. And I'd like to see it get put into the budget. They're asking for the essentials.''
Mayor William E. Ward asked City Manager James W. Rein to get cost estimates for the various requests made by Tuesday's speakers.
Rein, in outlining the plan, said the bulk of the city's $826 million in construction would go to school and road projects.
Close to $220 million is needed for school construction, including eight new schools, nine school additions, and renovations to six facilities. Rein said a school bond offering exceeding $100 million could come as soon as spring.
About $368 million in the plan will go for road projects, including the $76.9 million road bond issue approved by voters in November.
The preliminary plan calls for toll roads connecting the Great Bridge Bypass to the North Carolina line and to Interstate 464 on the Oak Grove Connector. by CNB