THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 3, 1995 TAG: 9506020031
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
I was appalled to learn that Norfolk City Council, at the request of Councilman Conoly Phillips, has cut in half the tax on luxury RVs valued from $50,000 to $100,000.
At the same meeting, council approved increases in real-estate taxes and utility charges. (My last three bills have been more than $80 in a household of three, two of them very senior citizens.)
My family certainly could never afford an RV; neither can we afford increased taxes and utility bills. I am sure there are more people in Norfolk who are in my situation than there are owners of these luxury vehicles. (Is there a conflict of interest here?)
Our City Council members have forgotten that they represent all the people of Norfolk, not just the affluent. Most of their recent projects have been status symbols for Norfolk to attract tourists.
Most of us live in the real world: If we can't pay for luxuries (including tax), we have to do without.
LAURA A. HEPTINSTALL
Norfolk, May 19, 1995 by CNB