THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511240008
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 132 lines
The battle for public open space and historical preservation of South Battlefield Boulevard and Cedar Road is not over yet.
On Oct. 17, the City Council turned down an application for two drive-through windows for a bank and a pharmacy at this very busy intersection. Many citizens thought this opened up the possibility of a partnership between the citizens of Chesapeake and the city government to purchase and preserve this historic piece of property.
Many people have voiced concerns over the loss of open space around our city buildings. The same concerns have been voiced about other spaces in the city. This is one of the last open spaces in downtown Great Bridge not yet turned into a parking lot for business. What is going to happen when our City Council votes again on Nov. 28?
Citizens of our city, it is time to ``bear arms'' again and fight, as our forefathers did!
In the past, we have complained that projects like this have slipped through on the City Council's agenda.
Beware, citizens! On Nov. 28, City Council members will vote again on this property without posting signs on the property to notify the public. I hope that the organizations and individuals who have fought so hard will not let the ball drop now.
Please make your wishes known about saving this historical property by attending the City Council meeting on Nov. 28.
Stephanie Peters
Old Drive Preserve historic site
I encourage all citizens of Chesapeake to immediately call or write their city councilman to encourage and offer support to them in the effort to purchase and preserve the historic site in Great Bridge on the corner of Battlefield Boulevard and Cedar Road.
On this site once stood the Southern Branch Chapel, which quartered Patriot troops during the Battle of Great Bridge in December 1775. It is only proper that this beautiful piece of property should serve as a place for remembrance and commemoration for the stand and sacrifices our forbears took so many years ago.
The 220th anniversary of this battle, the first of the American Revolution fought on Virginia soil, is fast approaching on Dec. 9. What a fine way to celebrate it if we know this significant piece of land will be presented for us all to enjoy and be proud of for years to come. This is not a real estate purchase the city would ever regret making.
I once again commend the City Council for standing up for preserving a piece of our rich history.
Charles Scott
Battlefield Boulevard Developers should sell
With all the publicity surrounding the proposed commercial development on the historic property at the corner of Cedar Road and Battlefield Boulevard, it seems to me it would be in the best interest of the developers to be rid of it.
They should sell it to the city for a fair - and I mean fair - price. For them to go forward with the idea of building on it seems foolhardy at best.
The effort to preserve this land as open, green space seems to be drawing support the way a lightning road draws electricity.
No business with a lick of common sense will want to locate there after the public outcry at the council meetings and in the newspapers.
Boycotts of any businesses that open there have been suggested on more than one occasion. I, for one, would certainly refuse to patronize anyone foolish enough to locate on this spot, and I would encourage others to do likewise.
So, developers, please sell the property for a fair, equitable price to the city and be done with it. Please, no gouging the city (and, therefore, its citizens). In the long run, everyone's best interests will be served.
Thomas Marshall
Great Bridge Good cops are valuable
Many of us have asked ourselves recently, ``Why Dan Eaker?'' From all accounts, he was not just one of the ``good guys,'' but one of the best examples of that venerable group.
Maybe Tony Stein best summed it up in his column in The Clipper Nov. 19. In that article, Mr. Stein quite aptly points out that the Danny Eakers of law enforcement far outnumber the Mark Fuhrmans. Tony then tells the reader of the danger, the anger and the disillusionment of police work. He is right.
While no one will ever be able to answer the ``Why Dan Eaker'' question, maybe those who loved him will take some comfort in the fact that his life of unselfishness and love of his fellow man will shine the light of truth on his chosen profession and remind us all that good cops are so very valuable to us all.
A.C. Black Jr.
Hornsea Road Reject APF idea
It is sad that Gene Waters, president of the Chesapeake Council of Civic Organizations, is so narrow-minded when it comes to adequate public facilities (APF).
I explained to Mr. Waters at a recent meeting that APF would not only increase the price of a new home by a proposed $6,0900, but would also increase the assessment on most modern homes in Chesapeake by the same amount. This is due to a state-mandated re-evaluation of the value of all homes to insure real property is taxed fairly.
Mr. Waters stated to me that he did not care because his home is 40 years old and that the city assessor assured him that his home most likely would not be increased.
The CCCO is a city-wide organization and should promote good sound policies that reflect the views of the entire city and not just those that affect its leader.
We seem to think that if we find new ways to raise money to pay for city facilities such as a flat tax, APF, timing amendment, proffers, bonds, etc., we are keeping our real estate tax low. Let me make it clear. When you take money from our citizens or borrow money in their name, you are taxing the public.
By approving APF you are singling out the new home industry to pay for public facilities. This leaves new businesses free from paying for public facilities. The popular spin is that businesses to not generate as much new traffic and ``pay their own way through business taxes.'' Let's make it clear, those businesses only came to Chesapeake because we have a lot of people and we are growing. We only need to look around and see what happens when a city stops growing.
We should pay all city bills from as few different taxes as possible. A new tax is still a tax. The way to keep taxes low is to stop spending money. If you want gold-plated facilities you must expect a tax increase. Only by showing great restraint in approving new city facilities can you keep taxes low. By creating new taxes and new ways to borrow money you are increasing taxes.
Tell our leaders that we do not need APF; we need responsible leadership.
Wilson Garland
Harding Drive by CNB