THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 13, 1995 TAG: 9509130409
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANCIE LATOUR, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
Less than two months before facing a special election for his seat, City Council member Dalton S. Edge on Tuesday proposed a rebate to residents who receive salty tap water.
Edge, a council newcomer appointed in April to replace former Vice Mayor Arthur L. Dwyer, said the government had an obligation to compensate citizens for a service they can't use.
``We're giving people a poor product, and we need to fix it,'' Edge said. ``As a farmer, when I bring my products to market and they are not satisfactory, that has consequences. We should expect of government what we expect of ourselves.''
Vice Mayor Robert T. Nance echoed Edge.
``It really bothers me when people are suffering,'' Nance said. ``We're charging people for something they can't use, and they don't understand it.''
Mayor William E. Ward warned colleagues that even though the idea of a rebate would be popular, it might not serve the city's long-term interests.
``The intent sounds great and is commendable,'' Ward said, ``but I have to look at the total picture, and how a rebate could affect the fiscal integrity and bond rating of our Public Utilities Department.''
The council asked Public Utilities Director Amar Dwarkanath and City Manger James W. Rein to explore rebate options for citizens living south of Military Highway, who are most affected.
Though some council members said the proposal would merely ``lay ideas on the table'' to be explored, Nance vowed to make the rebate happen no matter what.
``There will be a rebate,'' Nance said during a council recess. ``It's just a question of how much there will be. But there is going to be a rebate.''
Edge said he had been discussing the idea with council members since last month. He said the idea had nothing to do with his upcoming campaign. ``What am I supposed to do?'' Edge asked in response to a gadfly who called the measure a gimmick to seduce voters. ``Am I not supposed to voice good ideas because I think it's going to help me in an election?''
Brackish water has inundated the Northwest River, the city's main source for water, since July. Lack of rain and southeasterly winds have forced salty water into the river from the Currituck Sound, sending chloride and sodium levels to their highest levels in a decade. by CNB