THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 4, 1996 TAG: 9602030008
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
One of the many letters reacting to the Virginia Beach City Council's proposal to substantially modify the appearance of Shore Drive caught my eye. ``Trees aren't at fault on Shore Drive'' (letter, Jan. 24) was different from others in that it suggested that this issue should be decided in a citywide referendum.
While this idea seems to be a fair and appropriate means of responding to the will of Virginia Beach residents, there is one serious obstacle. Citizens went to the polls in May 1993 and voted in favor of modifying voting districts to permit the selection of council members in seven boroughs of equal populations by the residents of those boroughs. Unfortunately, opponents of this change cried ``foul'' and were successful in requiring a second referendum with a convoluted wording which requires that residents vote NO, if they are in favor of the amendment which has already been approved by the voters.
If the Shore Drive issue is brought before the voters and follows a similar path, the question on the ballot might read, ``If you are in favor of cutting the trees, vote NO. If you are not in favor of cutting the trees, vote YES.'' Perfect!
M. E. SEAY
Virginia Beach, Jan. 26, 1996 by CNB