THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 16, 1995 TAG: 9504150077
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
During its public hearing on Tuesday, April 4, the City Planning Commission endorsed the regional jail application, even after it was revealed that the facility could accommodate 1,600 inmates.
The Planning Commission was informed that this would produce the second largest prison facility in Virginia, second only to the Greensville Correctional State Prison.
The Hodges Manor Civic League Board feels that the City Council must reject this enlarged concept and cap the facility at 872 inmates as originally promised. Hampton, Newport News, and Norfolk are delighted that Portsmouth will assume this regional responsibility as host to the second largest prison in Virginia to house their prisoners.
Robert V. Nelson
Board of Directors
Hodges Manor Civic League Inc.
April 6, 1995 Let others share load
Ida Kay Jordan's recent article on increasing taxes is an issue to which Portsmouth citizens must give a great deal of thought. But raising the taxes of those already paying the taxes is not the answer. Instead of raising the taxes of those already pulling the wagon, we need to get some more people out of the wagon to help make the load easier to pull.
It appears that Portsmouth has about 60 percent of its tax base on the untaxable rolls. If we were able to reduce that by 10-20 percent, taxes probably could be lowered.
What we can do:
1. Get the city offices, police department and jail off one of the best pieces of real estate in the entire city, and relocated to the most undesirable areas available.
2. Don't build a new school. Fix up the ones we have.
3. Reduce to two years the time someone can live in public housing, as well as reduce the number of units available. Get the property back in the hands of private citizens and back on the tax rolls.
4. Encourage the renovation of High Street as well as other blighted areas of the city with tax benefits, given in exchange for immediate renovation.
5. Get more public property, such as has been done with Sleepy Hole Golf Course, back into private hands, where some taxes can be generated and real jobs created.
6. Create incentives for waterfront development of marinas, shops and restaurants, in order to create tax revenue and jobs. Keep the boat tax where it is, and do everything possible to encourage these folks. They have money to spend.
7. Through attrition, eliminate 25 percent of the city's payroll.
Raising taxes is not the answer and never has been. Portsmouth has as many entrepreneurs as anywhere. Get government out of the real estate and entertainment business, turn the entrepreneurs loose and stand back. We'll be a very rich community.
John Gasser
638B Florida Ave.
April 2, 1995 Refunds take too long
Please tell me why it takes so long for the city to return money that was paid on time by citizens that has been determined to lawfully be due as a refund to the taxpayer.
I am aware that the foregoing can occur as a result of (1) an improper or double assessment and (2) when a citizen disposes of or sells an automobile, truck or trailer resulting in a prorated tax bill.
I called both the City Treasurer and the Commissioner of the Revenue to discuss this matter. I was of the opinion that the former treasurer was instrumental in removing specific action by City Council on the council agenda to approve a refund.
However, I am now told that City Council is back in the business of approving the return of taxpayer money. Are the city finances so depleted that the treasurer must hold on to money due citizens so as to collect additional interest?
By the way, what is the treasurer doing? We hear nothing from him, and his answers to citizens leave much to be desired. What are we paying for?
Henry Fallon
Park Manor Road
Cedar Point Civic League
April 13, 1995 by CNB