THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 1, 1996 TAG: 9603030293
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 134 lines
The wording of the so-called question approved by City Council on Nov. 28 for the Second Referendum, which is to be held May 7 regarding city elections, is an insult to the intelligence of voters. The so-called question reads:
``Should the city council member elected to represent a particular borough be elected by all qualified voters throughout the city (an at-large system) rather than only the qualified voters residing in that particular borough (a ward system)? If you wish to vote for all 11 seats vote yes! If you prefer to vote for only five of the 11 council seats, vote no!''
In the first place, the last two sentences, which we are told are the products of Councilman John Baum's imagination, are not questions but instructions to the voters as to how to vote. They should be declared illegal by the State Board of Election. Do not we have the right to a proper referendum question such as proposed by the Citizens for Electoral Reform:
``Should the city council request the general assembly to amend the city's existing councilmanic electoral plan to provide for seven councilpersons to be elected only by the voters of their respective residence districts and three members and the mayor to be elected by and from the city at-large?''
This is a very clear and straightforward question, with no gimmick instructions on how to vote. Also, of the seven questions considered by City Council on Nov. 28, all but one of them (the question above) were skewed to elicit a ``Yes'' for the status quo. We are told that when the city attorney was asked about this, he said that the City Council majority wanted them that way. What a way to ``load the dice.''
The city attorney, by accepting it, gave his blessing to the council's skewed question directed to protect ``the good ol' boys'' of the status quo.
E.P. Usowski
Virginia Beach
I favor the balanced/district councilmanic reform measure, which has been a hot issue in Virginia Beach for some five years and will again be on a May referendum.
Regardless of which side of this issue you are on, the Feb. 1 Virginian-Pilot editorial (``Watch Your Language'') deserves a rousing round of applause because it took a strong stand for fairness in the upcoming election. While the editorial opposed changing the city's existing system, it suggested that council correct its biased ballot question.
After the editorial, members of the State Board of Elections apparently felt the same way. The board voted unanimously to send the matter back to the circuit court for its reconsideration.
Now it's time for media people to stop labeling the balance/district system as a ward system.
In truth, the two are not the same but are significantly different. Under the proposed balance/district system, the city's leader, the mayor, plus three other city council members are elected by voters throughout the city. The remaining seven members are elected by voters from their respective districts. In contrast, a ward system has all council representatives elected from only their districts.
Al Strazzullo
Virginia Beach With all this spending by city, can tax hikes be far behind?
The Beacon's Jan. 3 article on the city's Agricultural Reserve Program made interesting reading. It seems that anyone who owns property in a designated rural area can collect $15,000 a year in tax-free money for every 100 acres owned. This even applies to land that is not farmed and is not suitable for development. It's better than winning the lottery, especially since you don't have to pay taxes!
City Council's handling of the 1994-95 school budget deficit also merits attention. Everyone in a position of authority has denied any knowledge of the budget problems. As caretakers of the public's interests, it is their job to know.
Another recent article stated that the city will spend $1.6 million to ``improve'' the intersection of Shore Drive and First Court Road. I am sure that the new exclusive, private golf club nearby had nothing to do with this decision!
The $1 million price tag to make Shore Drive ``safe'' is excessive, too. There is not enough money in the world to protect irresponsible drivers from themselves.
Another expensive project has been embraced by the City Council: the development of at least five major new golf courses. Of course, the famous ``They will pay for themselves'' and ``They will make the city a year-round tourist destination'' quotes were liberally spread throughout the media by City Council members. Translation: your real estate property taxes and assessments will be raised to pay for them. I have heard these lines before, yet I have never seen my taxes lowered as the result of these ``wonderful jewels in the city's crown.''
Fiscal responsibility was obviously not one of City Council's New Year resolutions. As a result, taxes will continue to climb in order to support the uncontrolled spending habits of the city's leaders. City officials should be held accountable for their actions or lack there of.
Phil Kessling
Thoroughgood Thanks for offering biography series at library
The biography series at Kempsville Library was a tasty February treat. We met literary scholars and group discussion leaders. Students from Tallwood High School acted as authors, reading from ``their'' works. Photos displayed the author's lives. A table of goodies, like ``Delany's Delights,'' were served.
So many good people have worked so hard. Five months of sharing ideas by Kempsville staff has produced this great feast: the excitement of delving into the personal experiences of people from Australia, Africa and other parts of the world to be shared by all who participate. I am so thankful for this great opportunity to continue learning and growing.
Alice McKay
Convention Drive Acts of kindness appreciated
Thank you, thank you to the dear lady who found my purse in the parking lot at Kmart located Chimney Hill Shopping Center.
Thank you for taking it to the service desk who in turn called me at home. I wish I could have thanked you in person, you have restored my faith in humanity.
Bootsie Guess
Virginia Beach
During the last snowstorm, I was at the Farm Fresh on Virginia Beach Boulevard and Lynnhaven Road. I got stuck in the snow and couldn't back out of the parking lot. Luckily, there was a firetruck in the parking lot and I went over to ask one of the firemen if he could help me - and he did!
I just wanted to thank that fireman for helping me. It's nice to know that there are still good people out there who will help others in need. God bless them.
Diana Kuhlman
Pinewood Drive by CNB