THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 10, 1995 TAG: 9512090100
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Ward vote draws some support, opposition from city residents
I have been reading a lot from Mr. Maurice B. Jackson as of late concerning the ``ward'' system for Virginia Beach. I was sure that he would not want the question City Council chose for the ballot:
``Should the city council member elected from each residence district be elected by all qualified voters of the city (at large) rather than only by the voters of that district (ward)?
``If you wish to vote for all 11 council seats, vote YES! If you prefer to vote for only five of the 11 council seats, vote NO!''
The reason Mr. Jackson doesn't like it is simple: A person who wields 11 votes is more of a threat than one who only has five. The power of the people is the power to vote out of office as well as to vote into office people who will represent their best interests. When was Mr. Jackson voted into public office? Did he ever stop to think that there is no geographically ethnic borough or ward that could elect a black or Hispanic representative? The reason is that we in Virginia Beach enjoy a very diverse ethnic mix, which is why we are the best city to live in.
If a particular ethnic group wanted to be represented by one of their own, this could be done if they have the right to vote for all of their representatives at-large. If this is a mystery to Mr. Jackson (but I don't think it is), let me explain. If I can vote for all 11 council seats I can cast a vote for ``John Doe'' even though I do not live in ``John Doe's'' ward. Another question: Would Louisa Strayhorn have been elected to City Council if the ward system had been in effect during the last election and only the votes in her ward could have been cast for her?
People of Virginia Beach: The question council chose is the only choice that clearly sends the right message: Do you want to keep the power of 11 votes or do you want to give up six votes and be left with only five? The issue of equal boroughs has already been addressed.
Do not let your right to hold every council member accountable to you be taken away by a few self-serving people. In the last election we heard that the issue was balancing the boroughs and one man, one vote. This has been addressed. The real reason for a push for wards is even more evident now than it was then: People who cannot vote cannot keep their elected officials in check. We then become subservient to those we have chosen to be our ``servants.''
You may not choose to vote for all of the positions open for election, but the right to vote for three, four or 11 available seats should be yours to make every election.
Charles F. Bowdoin
Virginia Beach
The wording on the ballot next May will determine whether Virginia Beach voters will continue to vote for all councilpersons at-large or adopt a modified ward system.
The question should read:
``Three council candidates and the mayor will be elected at-large. Other council candidates representing a district will be elected by the voters living within that district.
``A no vote continues the present system of all voters voting for all candidates regardless of whether they represent a district or not.''
This tells it just like it is.
If you say ``ward system,'' which it is not, because of four still elected at-large, a lot of people won't understand and vote against a ``ward system.''
My problem is that most of the politicians who had the most influence to determine the wording are opposed to changing from our present at-large voting system. This is not fair to the Virginia Beach voter, who already voted for the modified ward system once.
Roy W. Brun
Virginia Beach by CNB