THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 21, 1996 TAG: 9604190031
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
In a front-page report April 14, ``growth'' was said to be the issue in the upcoming councilmanic elections. On July 12, 1995, you reported:
``Ignoring impassioned pleas from dozens of civic leaders and other citizens citywide, the Chesapeake City Council on Tuesday spoke out against laws designed to curb the city's rampant growth rate. In a narrow 5-4 vote, council members denied citizens the chance to vote in a special November referendum that would have asked the General Assembly for authority to institute adequate public-facilities legislation. Such legislation would halt all new residential development until schools, roads and other services were in place to meet the demand of new homes.''
As Chesapeake voters go to the polls, I would remind them how three of the current candidates voted on last year's proposed growth referendum. Robert Nance and Dalton Edge voted for the referendum. Mayor William E. Ward voted against it.
The referendum in itself would have implemented no new growth controls. It would simply have given the people of Chesapeake a vehicle for their collective voice to be heard on the growth issue.
By voting as he did, Mayor Ward effectively voted to silence the voice of the people on an issue of vital interest to them. I sincerely hope that come election day, the people of Chesapeake will remind Mayor Ward that this is still America, and one way or another the voice of the people will be heard.
MIKE HOST
Chesapeake, April 14, 1996 by CNB