THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 23, 1995 TAG: 9506220188
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 144 lines
Virginia Beach City Council voted on May 9 to raise the real-estate-tax rate. This is in addition to the normal 5 to 10 percent increase in property assessments. The rationale was that there was insufficient money available to meet the school system's requirements. This was an excellent ploy as it incited parents to come to council hearings and pronounce that they would gladly pay more in taxes so their children wouldn't suffer.
Council also engaged in a much-publicized debate with the school superintendent and the School Board over their budget, stating that it was a bit inflated and could be trimmed. I believe all the actors in this drama should be awarded ``Oscars'' for their portrayals of concerned protectors of the public.
The real reason there were insufficient funds for the schools' exorbitant budget was City Council's recent Spring Spending Spree. This included the purchase of the former Lake Ridge property and the decision to build an amphitheater with public funds. By the way, construction of the amphitheater has not even begun and the city's cost has already increased by $1.8 million. However, we continue to hear official proclamations that the amphitheater will pay for itself in five to seven years. Where have we heard this before - maybe when Waterside and Nauticus were being built?
Another favored City Council program will also be funded by property taxes. This is the Free Money for Farmers program, originated by the two farmers who are also City Council members. It is a great deal if you own farmland, but another tax burden for other Virginia Beach property owners.
City Council continually states that it does not want to rely so heavily on real-estate taxes but does nothing to make this a reality. The bottom line is City Council cannot draw the line between necessary spending and frivolous spending. A city cannot be all things to all people. It's time for City Council to get away from its ``spend and tax'' mentality. Citizens should demand fiscal responsibility and a freeze on real-estate assessments.
Phil Kessling
Thoroughgood Alanton volunteer supports school's vision
I am an ``active'' volunteer at Alanton Elementary School and have been following the many issues appearing on the Beacon's editorial pages. We are getting exposure and that's good! We are talking, and the communication lines are indeed open. That's excellent! Parents taking an active role in our children's future is definitely a step in the right direction, regardless of the differences.
I am a frequent face at Alanton Elementary, a school I am extremely proud to be a part of. I have shared many concerns with the staff as well as our principal, Linda Tanner, who has my utmost respect and admiration. Ms. Tanner's door and time have always been open for my concerns. The overall achievements of Alanton are due to the strong leadership of Ms. Tanner.
We have heard many pros and cons regarding the Accelerated Schools program. Some have not heard the sounds of our children's voices echoing off the walls of our school. I have. They are strong and eager. Their faces are filled with enthusiasm. Regardless of the method of teaching, Alanton Elementary instills a sound foundation for our children's future. ``Unity Of Purpose,'' ``Building On Strength,'' ``Empowerment Coupled With Responsibility'' are the concepts of Accelerated Learning. What more, as parents, are we asking for?
Although the School Board has cut funds for the program, the concepts need to progress. Alanton Elementary now has the tools to build on the strengths this program has introduced. It would be in the best interest of our children to further develop these concepts and continue the positive input this program has offered.
I strongly salute the staff and parents of Alanton Elementary who share in the ``vision.'' Together, and only together, can the best interests of our children be ensured.
Leslie B. Smith
Alanton Dredging up money for showbiz, sand, boats - but not police
We are spending money so we can have an amphitheater that won't produce income year-'round. We are making sure there is enough sand in Sandbridge for those few homeowners who are afraid of washing into the Atlantic but don't have the good sense to move. And we are making sure the Lynnhaven River is dredged so party boats can park at the back door when we should be paying for police to protect our front door.
Do campaign contributions affect this in any way? It's just a thought.
Terry Morrow
London Pointe Drive
I observe City Council when budget time rolls around every year, and every year I see the same thing. Issues are put on the table - both significant issues and others - and rather than council's giving them serious consideration, Dean Block, director of the Office of Management and Budget, steps in and says, ``No, no, no.''
While I'm sure Block has a certain responsibility to his job, he is not an elected official. The elected officials asked to be entrusted with the responsibility and welfare of our citizens. They need to look at the issue at hand and decide what is best for our city, not look at Dean Block and allow him to pull their strings.
We need visionaries and decision-makers, not bean counters who can only shake their heads. It's time for members of council to step forward and do what is best for our police and public safety in general. If we continue to not keep pace in the fight against crime, we will wake up one day and regret the kind of leadership we have seen thus far.
Rick Anderson
Duke of Norfolk Quay Watch where you park: Complacency, plus tricks and excuses of `uncaring people,' add to the burden
During the past 20 years I have served on various committees that dealt with handicapped parking. I did believe that I knew all the tricks and excuses that non-handicapped people came up with when caught using the restricted spaces. Doug Aronson's recent report on WAVY-TV handicapped parking violators made me sit in awe. People who do not have respect for the handicapped are some sort of a lowlife; however, people who use their grandparents' handicapped placards deserve a special lowlife award. And the handicapped person who allowed them to get away with it does not deserve any privileges whatever that handicapped people are entitled to.
We must be mindful that the existing codes allow a specific number of handicapped parking spaces per parking lot. This code to the best of my knowledge has not changed: If 15 handicapped spaces were authorized in 1980 in parking lot A, then 15 are allotted in 1995. What has changed is the number of handicapped plates and placards that have been authorized; thus more people are competing for the same spaces. That alone creates more problems for the handicapped without uncaring people adding to the burden.
A few changes in the statutes relating to handicapped parking need to be made.
(1) DMV staff have to learn more and care more about handicapped laws. Most DMV employees I have talked to are just not knowledgeable in this area. That is easily corrected with training programs.
(2) When people are issued a handicapped plate or placard, they should be given a set of instructions that include, in bold type, what their responsibilities are. Yes, they do have responsibilities.
(3) They should be made to sign a statement that they have read and understand the instructions.
(4) DMV has to come up with something that makes the doctors share some sort of responsibility when they sign handicapped forms.
(5) We need a placard that shows the name, expiration and maybe the name of the doctor. It has to be bigger and more readable than the present ones.
(6) We need more people writing tickets than there are now.
(7) The fine needs to be the maximum, first offense or not. If they are using someone else's card, there need to be an additional charge and fine. If someone allowed them to use the card, then that person needs to lose the card.
Hit the offenders hard and fast and give no quarter. This may not solve the problem 100 percent, but it will cut down on the number of violations.
Joseph Paul Schrank
Lake Smith Terrace by CNB