THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 3, 1996 TAG: 9603010031
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
It amazes me how the city councils of Norfolk and Virginia Beach want all of us in Hampton Roads to believe regionalism is the best thing that could happen to this area. I have always believed this is a good idea.
If the council members are really as concerned as they want us to believe, why is it this is good for the area only when the project is going to be located in their cities with financial support necessary from all the cities - in particular the basketball stadium in Norfolk and the Convention Center in Virginia Beach?
Where was Virginia Beach's support for the area when Portsmouth had a better than even chance for a horse-racing track? Portsmouth did not ask for any financial support from Virginia Beach. Yet instead of throwing its support behind the track in Portsmouth, the Beach decided to go for its own track.
There was regional support for two projects for Portsmouth - the prison and the trash plant. The old ``not in my back yard'' theory worked great in this instance.
In order to get support, Virginia Beach and Norfolk have to show some support for the region and stop being so self-centered.
CHRIS VATISTA
Portsmouth, Feb. 14, 1996 by CNB