THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 26, 1996 TAG: 9601250191
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Leaders blew CFL deal
I was deeply dismayed when I read the Jan. 17 headline regarding the CFL and our lack of inter-city cooperation to bring the league to Hampton Roads. The article makes no mention of Mayor Oberndorf's refusal to cooperate with the city of Norfolk in sharing the $400,000 needed to upgrade Foreman Field. This was and is the stumbling block that stopped the much needed franchise arrival.
What does the fact of also wanting a NBA and/or a NHL team have to do with it? Why can't we have both or all three like every other major metropolitan area
The major league franchises of all sports must be watching this display of bickering as a sign to avoid the area altogether. Who was the one who decided we in Hampton Roads would rather watch hockey and basketball over football?
With all that's being spent to make Norfolk and the Hampton Roads area a nice place to live and work, here is an opportunity to make us more noticeable on the map and not referred to as ``Hampton Roads - where's that?'' Somehow, the city leaders still find a way to blow it.
Roger Slaalien
Virginia Beach
Thanks for lake cleanup
I was excited and pleased to read the Dec. 27 Beacon article by Mary Reid Barrow titled ``Frigid conditions fail to deter spirited cleanup of Lake Smith.''
Mitchell Norman, regional fisheries manager for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, should be commended for his special efforts to coordinate this cleanup project. The volunteers from Norfolk Police Explorers Post 191, Tidewater Anglers Club, and the Norfolk Lake Patrol should be lauded and appreciated for their efforts to conduct the Lake Smith cleanup, especially in such freezing temperatures.
Hopefully, residents around Lake Smith and anglers on the lake will soon notice its improved conditions and will attempt to prevent it from returning to its previous state. Those who enjoy Lake Smith and others who benefit from its water supply owe a debt of gratitude to those volunteers who recently participated in its cleanup. When warm weather returns this spring and I take my 6-year-old son fishing on Lake Smith, I will certainly remember and appreciate the cleanup volunteers and their important efforts in much colder conditions.
Charles H. Cunningham
Virginia Beach
Burton Station deal unfair
I can understand and support the property owners of Burton Station Road in Virginia Beach. It is not fair for any government to possess this much power to be able to condemn an entire community without giving these people an equal amount of land with a house fully paid for at no expense to these people that will be displaced.
This type of action by the government will or could affect all residents of Virginia.
This property in question is very valuable to the city of Virginia Beach, the airport and the state.
The condition of their community and the relocation of many previous owners were created by the airport, the city and the state. This community did not invade the airport.
The fair market value of this property should be based on the return benefits to the airport, Virginia Beach and the state.
Bill Manson
Virginia Beach by CNB