THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 7, 1996 TAG: 9603080787
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 158 lines
Who represents Suffolk citizens to ensure that management expends their tax dollars in conformity with state and city codes and the city's operational budget as approved by City Council? Do council members not take an oath to honor those codes?
I am of the belief that council members are elected to represent the citizens and that they, as well as the city staff, come under the same laws as we citizens do.
When one sees what is and has been occurring within our city government over the years - especially in the past 12 to 15 months - serious questions arise.
In discussions of the 1995-96 budget, a communications position was requested for the Police Department. It was later found that it had been added to the existing budget - without prior approval of council, as required by the code.
Council was told that a contract with a private concern would be canceled and that hiring an employee to perform the work would reduce cost. After the employee was hired, it was discovered that the contract had not been canceled. What has happened to ethics in local government?
Housing and Inspections received $20,000 for conservation in the 1995-96 budget. Along with $20,000 from the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing authority, it was used to create a position of coordinator, at a salary of $40,000 - a position not even listed in the budget.
In granting the July 3, 1995, paid holiday for all city employees, the city manager violated the Code of Virginia, according to a Dec. 18 letter from the Commonwealth's attorney. Council, too, was negligent in allowing this to occur.
In the 1995-96 budget, management lobbied hard for three additional communications positions for the Police Department, one for each eight-hour shift. The request was granted by council, but one position was purposely left vacant.
Why? Without council's approval, management advertised for a civilian supervisor for this vacant position and had plans to create a new department.
The city attorney said using personnel funds for other than their budgeted purpose is a code violation. The Commonwealth's attorney, in the Dec. 18 letter, wrote, ``City Code provides that budget transfers to and from salary accounts are not permitted without prior council approval.''
The gradual deterioration and relinquishing of authority of our elective officials to management is an alarming pattern dating at least to the tenure of City Manager John L. Rowe Jr. - do as you please and justify to council later, if actions are questioned.
It is also alarming to see the manager violate city and state codes with impunity and without penalty but reward instead. What is even more alarming is that some members of council believe they are usurping the power of the city manager when they require him to adhere to state and city codes.
What action will the citizens of Suffolk have to pursue to have council carry out its obligation as our elective representatives? Will we have to seek help from sources outside our local government?
Talmadge C. Jones
Harbor Road
Suffolk Here's some praise for treasurer and staff
In light of the many complaints about city taxes and stickers, and the services received from the city employees, I felt I should write.
Although I didn't get my taxes paid on time, I still used the convenient envelope provided, and not once did it treat me wrong. As for my stickers, I again used the envelope provided and again received the same great service.
The persons who complained about the services of the city should place themselves in these persons' shoes. Because people wait until the last minute, most of these office workers went from 8-hour days to 14-plus-hour days. Even though they are compensated, you can't replace the valuable time taken from family and friends.
To the woman who complained that City Treasurer Ronald H. Williams should better staff his office in anticipation of all those who can't pay the taxes on time, maybe she and others like her should better plan themselves. Yes, it is a burden for many to pay taxes so close to Christmas, but it is also no surprise that this bill will be due.
I know for a fact that this same tax and sticker bill will come again next year as it has so faithfully for as long as I have lived in Virginia.
To Mr. Williams and his staff: You do a great job, and thanks for having so much patience with all of us procrastinators.
Tom Damon
Burnetts Way
Suffolk Thanks to `angels' who restored electricity
As I was driving to my father's house the Sunday after he lost power on the Friday of the recent storm, a lady on the radio spoke about how she and her husband were managing their lives without electricity.
It was tough, but she said they had been married for 41 years, and this inconvenience reminded them of how fortunate and blessed they really were. She spoke of how men in big trucks had just left their neighborhood after restoring their lives to full power. She called them ``angels without wings.''
Such a group drove up to my father's neighborhood about 2:30 that afternoon. These men were so gracious, polite and understanding.
My father is 80 years old. He manages on his own, has his dog with him, watches TV and asks very little from anyone. He stayed in his house, with his dog, without power. He refused to go to a hotel and would not come over to my house. My father waited patiently and without complaint for the ``angels without wings'' to restore his life to full power.
I learned the men were from Charlottesville. They were in Norfolk because they were needed. Oh! How they were needed! About 4:30 p.m., they threw the switch that sent power to the neighborhood.
After I shook their hands and said thanks, they went off to another neighborhood, to another father. When I walked back to my father's house, he asked how the men were doing. I told him they were finished, that he could turn on his lights and watch TV again. He petted his dog and watched TV, his life restored to full power by these men without wings.
George Fischer
Suffolk Some easy remedies
In response to Terry D. Mottley's and Ann Turner's letters to the editor Feb. 29:
Gardener: ``Why is the dog howling?''
Neighbor: ``He's lying on a cocklebur.''
Gardener: ``Why doesn't he get off the cocklebur?''
Neighbor: ``He'd rather holler.''
For Mr. Mottley: Call another cable company that supplies the Suffolk area.
For Ms. Turner: Spend 32 cents and have your city sticker mailed to you. Enclose a check.
The address is: Treasurer R.H. Williams, P.O. Box 1583, Suffolk, Va. 23439.
Carolyn Crawford
Bridge Point Trail West
Suffolk Handicap access lacking
I have been living in Suffolk since 1925. I am about to believe that Suffolk is not the best place for senior citizens and handicapped people who cannot do everything for themselves.
For example, let's take a look at some of the places of business, including municipal offices. Some business places not only have one set of manually operated exterior doors but two sets. People in wheelchairs and with walkers need someone with them, or they depend on someone passing by to assist them with the heavy doors.
There are many places that have doors that open upon approaching from the outside and also open upon approaching from the inside. What a difference this makes. Wal-Mart is not one of these places. The post office is not one of these places and also most or all of the banks. I could go on.
Although Suffolk may not be the best place for seniors to live, it's not the worst either, in spite of lack of thoughtfulness in many areas.
Clarence L. Jones
White Marsh Road
Suffolk by CNB