THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 1, 1996 TAG: 9601300107
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
A United Way thanks
The 1995 United Way campaign has ended, and those who live and/or work in Norfolk have come through for their friends and neighbors in South Hampton Roads. I was proud to serve as chairman of the Norfolk campaign, and I would like to express my gratitude to the many volunteers and donors who continue to invest in their community by supporting United Way.
This year's campaign theme, ``Angels Among Us,'' is a fitting description of the hundreds of volunteers and donors who showed their community spirit and compassion for others. The great enthusiasm and commitment of those involved in the Norfolk campaign - volunteers, CEOs, employees and private citizens alike - were the angels who raised $3,702,368 and soared the Norfolk campaign to 101.3 percent of goal.
The success of this year's campaign will mean a great deal to the local health and human service agencies that receive United Way funding. The support of contributors in Norfolk means that these agencies can continue to provide vital services in our community. Please be assured that each gift will make a difference in the lives of many individuals and families.
Robert J. Keogh
Volunteer Campaign Chairman
1995 Norfolk United Way Campaign
Not working together
The Chamber of Commerce is a good organization, but it does not represent me or anyone else. Obviously, they are also out of touch with the thinking of tax-paying Norfolkians.
Hampton Roads is an anchorage for ships. Virginia Beach is where you go swimming and ask for a drink of water. Chesapeake is a bay named by John Smith. Norfolk is a name known throughout the world, a name recognized in international business circles and by politicians all over the world. Suffolk is better known as a place in England.
First there was Norfolk County, then the upper half was called Hampton. Later the lower half of Norfolk County was called Princess Anne County. Then the legislature created what are called independent cities. A few well-connected individuals arranged for the cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake and Suffolk to be platted.
The economic cost to all of us has been staggering. We have competing governments in close proximity. Most public works are duplicated, and revenues are not shared.
The chamber might consider working toward a legislative change that would remove the title of city from all bedroom communities and have them be burroughs. The city of Norfolk would also become a burrough but would house the area's central government, which would be made up of representatives of each burrough.
Charlotte, N.C., is outstripping us economically, and we have a major port. Charlotte is really greater Charlotte, an area of many localities, but a central leadership.
Fred Bashara
One Commercial Place
No more development
I have read about the proposed development in East Ocean View. It has confirmed my opinion that it is another bottomless pit of the sort favored by City Council.
We have Waterside, Nauticus, the ballpark. We have the shopping mall downtown and this grandiose example of social engineering, whoops, city planning in East Ocean View, all in the name of progress and all at the expense of property rights. I might not have lost a foot of ground to these schemes, but I have lost my wages, along with the presumption that I really own what I possess.
Is there any limit to the City Council's appetite for expansion? I must say that I wish you would stop finding new ways to spend my money.
I don't believe there are any avowed followers of Karl Marx on the City Council, but you all fit Fredrick Bastiat's definition of socialists. Please consider the proper role of government in a free state.
Will Aygarn
Carrene Drive by CNB