THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 11, 1995 TAG: 9504110493
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
On April 5, I returned home from work quite exhausted. I sat down for a minute before I went through my mail. I discovered that the city of Norfolk had sent me a $25 fine, payable in five days. Unknowingly, I had broken the law by setting out some vegetable bins at the curb.
They were eventually removed, and I thought nothing more of the situation. So imagine my surprise when I received notification of the fine in the mail. The city could have given me a warning that what I did was wrong.
Norfolk has done nothing but fleece its working-poor residents. Is there a special fund used by the city to employ people to roam the city at night to spy on us?
There was some controversy awhile back about public officials working in Norfolk but not living here. They are smart. It's no wonder Norfolk is losing so many good law-abiding people to other cities. They can't afford to live here. I may be the next to leave.
PATRICIA GIBBS GALLOP
Norfolk, April 6, 1995
I, too, was fined by the city of Norfolk for having my trash out too soon. I am disabled with arthritis. I have lived in this area for more than 30 years and never has this happened before. I was given no warning.
Instead of going after people who refuse to maintain their property or the criminals and drug dealers in the area, the city is worried about my trash can.
We need some new leadership in this city, people with their priorities in the right place.
GERALD SANTASIERE
Norfolk, April 5, 1995 by CNB