THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 1996 TAG: 9603130147
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Suffolk is not ready for the explosive residential growth being thrust upon it by the developers. If the present pace of growth continues unabated, this city may likely find itself in the position of many of our neighbors within the next several years:
Insufficient potable water; roads that are incapable of handling the burgeoning traffic; educational results that, at best, mirror the current results - approximately 25 percent of high school graduates going on to college; educational facilities incapable of handling the added student population; an increase in taxes of whatever nature to pay for other required normal services; and no money to pay for much-needed urban renewal.
Current residents are not willing to finance the wholesale improvements required to correct these problems in the 14-year time period being touted for doubling population. I doubt many of those now frantically buying up the newly built subdivision homes and financing themselves to a high degree will be willing to face the increased taxes attendant with this 14-year plan.
Should Suffolk then stop everything, bury its head in the ground and watch the world go on around it? Absolutely not. Should we allow the developers to run our expansion as they see fit? Definitely not. Should we go maintain the present pace and hope that someday all will work itself out? Positively not.
It's time to pause, step back and take a good look at where Suffolk is going. Does City Council want a future Suffolk that we can be proud of, or one that is scarred with problems similar to some our neighbors now have? Have we learned anything from their examples, or must Suffolk proceed on the premise that ``it can't happen here?''
This pause can be a complete moratorium on new home building for a reasonable amount of time needed to properly and comprehensibly assess and replan all aspects of what the future Suffolk will be. A minimum of one year seems all right for starters. And Suffolk won't be the first city experiencing growing pains that has used this ploy.
Certainly a building moratorium will include both individual and developer-related building. Such a step will also give the city time to make the necessary revisions and find a plan that is acceptable to the citizens, the city and maybe even the developers.
Whatever the form, not finding a way to pause and reassess the plan at this critical time will undoubtedly cost the citizenry and the government in many ways during the next several years.
Don McLellan
River Crescent
Suffolk A salute for hospital
I have heard many ugly rumors about the Portsmouth Naval Hospital, and I am sure most people in Hampton Roads have heard them, too.
I recently had a C-section at the Naval Medical Center. The staff was very attentive and professional. The procedures performed were clearly explained. I was more informed of procedures and complications that could arise at the Naval Medical Center than at a civilian hospital with my first C-section.
I was not only impressed with the hard-working staff who actually cares about its patients but the upbeat attitudes that went along with it.
I praise all the staff on the labor deck and maternity ward at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth.
Christine Swafford
Virginia Beach by CNB