THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 30, 1995 TAG: 9510260043
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
The allegations of a consumer activist group that were the ``factual'' basis for ``Weaker protection'' (editorial, Oct. 12) were neither factual or current. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which has the statutory charge to manage consumer affairs in the commonwealth, is providing competent service to the citizens of Virginia.
Your first claim is that the Consumer Affairs staff has been cut from 24 to 13. Under our reorganization plan, the Office of Consumer Affairs will be permanently staffed with 17 employees. Like most organizations in the private sector, we are in the process of ``rightsizing'' your Virginia government. In the 1990s, most businesses have recognized that the old way of doing things may not be the best response to today's challenges. In state government, we also must learn to unleash creativity and to work smarter. The advantages will be a more-productive and more-efficient organization for the consumer and at less cost to the taxpayer.
You are correct that we have reduced routine communication efforts in the media. For years, Consumer Affairs has produced a weekly column called ``Consumer Comments'' which was distributed to 20 newspapers throughout Virginia. Our surveys showed that no more than five papers routinely printed the column. The Virginian-Pilot was not among the five that actively demonstrated this expression of support for consumer education. Because of the low rate of pickup by the media for the column, we are now more efficiently using our resources providing news releases on topics of immediate interest to Virginia consumers.
Your editorial also says that refunds for consumers are down. The statement is true but misleading. Yes, 1992 was a record year for refunds with $3.5 million returned to consumers by the Division of Consumer Affairs. The amount recovered, however, depends on the size of the award for the claim or lawsuit. The $1.8 million recovered in the past fiscal year is much closer to the norm.
Finally, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inherited a lengthy backlog of charitable solicitation registrations at the beginning of 1994. We agree that a 90-day processing period is not adequate and are taking steps to accelerate the process.
ROBERT T. SKUNDA
Secretary of Commerce and Trade
Commonwealth of Virginia
Richmond, Oct. 18, 1995 by CNB