THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 24, 1996 TAG: 9604240383
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Decision '96
Part 2: The Issues - Chesapeake
SOURCE: BY MAC DANIEL AND ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Long : 618 lines
GROWTH: Chesapeake's rapid growth can be traced to several factors. And in many ways, the resulting congestion is not solely the fault of city officials, past or present.
The population of Manhattan grew 101 percent in its first 30 years.
That's nothing.
Since 1963, when South Norfolk merged with Norfolk County to form present-day Chesapeake, the city's population has grown 140 percent, rocketing Chesapeake into the ranks of the nation's fastest-growing cities.
And as once-rural Deep Creek begins to become the next densely populated area, many new and longtime Chesapeake residents are concerned.
They wonder if the city is doing anything to stem the tide of growth and worry that Chesapeake lacks the amenities, such as recreation centers, common to a city its size.
City leaders and planning officials say Chesapeake is doing all it can to control and even benefit from growth.
In many ways, Chesapeake city officials say, residents should blame the state, not them, for the congestion. The city has unsuccessfully asked the General Assembly many times for growth-control legislation.
``There are a lot of misconceptions out there about what the city can and can't do,'' said Brent R. Nielson, the city's planning director.
For instance, there are roughly 5,300 acres of vacant property in Chesapeake already zoned for residential development, according to the city Planning Department.
That's enough land for an estimated 19,000 homes, apartments or townhouses - and there's little the city can do to prevent them, officials said.
Chesapeake's rapid growth can be traced to several factors. But the groundwork was laid in 1969 when the entire city was rezoned under a Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.
The rezoning was done to meld the zoning ordinances of the former Norfolk County and South Norfolk. About 5,000 acres were designated residential, much of the land in the western half of the city.
Immediately, the residentially rezoned land became easy pickings for developers. Developers could build with only a basic review by the Planning Commission, which has no authority to deny a development that is in compliance with the city's zoning ordinance and other city codes.
``If the zoning is on the property,'' said Nielson, ``it's almost impossible to change it.''
Since the mass rezoning, Chesapeake has seen spurts of heavy growth and has earned the tag line of Virginia's fastest-growing city. At times, it has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
Chesapeake recently began some major efforts to control residential growth and its impact on nearby communities. Those efforts have helped drop the city's growth rate substantially, from 4.24 percent in 1994 to 2.32 percent in 1995.
In November 1992, the City Council approved a new proffer policy to get developers to help pay for the cost of growth. Since then, anyone who wished to rezone residential property to higher-density uses has been encouraged to agree to proffers that will help offset expected costs to the city.
Proffers can be money for schools or roads. They can also include land dedications, architectural commitments or extra landscaping and buffering.
State law prohibits Chesapeake from requiring proffers, but when rezoning land, the city can favor developers who volunteer proffers.
At one point, Chesapeake was getting some of the highest cash proffers in Virginia for schools - $6,000 per new home, according to Nielson.
In addition, the city's staff always encourages the developer to limit the number of homes to be built each year, Nielson said.
The City Council adopted another major step to handle growth last summer when it approved the Planning and Land Use Policy - a document that instituted a new standard called ``levels of service.''
Levels of service works like this: If a piece of land is proposed to be rezoned, from agricultural to residential, for example, the city's staff analyzes the impact of that development on local roads, schools and other city services. If the proposed rezoning will have too negative an impact on the levels of service, the staff recommends denial.
The proffer and levels-of-service policies do not apply to previously zoned land. Still, they seem to have had an impact.
Before the policies were in place, City Council approved an average of between 30 and 55 properties for rezoning each year; more than half of those were residential.
Last year, Chesapeake had only two rezonings, both of which were residential.
But it is the large stock of already rezoned vacant land that has residents scared.
During recent workshops on the capital budget, City Council members discussed asking voters to approve a tax increase rather than bonds to pay for new school construction. The city's debt limit has reached an all-time high, and city officials are concerned that, without a tax increase, the city's ability to get low-interest loans will be hampered.
The candidates appear to be thinking differently, however. At a forum in Chesapeake for City Council last week, all but one said they would not raise taxes. Only Mayor William E. Ward would not rule out an increase within five years.
Some of Virginia Beach's ability to provide amenities despite growth has been attributable to money brought in by tourists every year, a seasonal boost to its economy that surrounding cities do not have.
Still, Chesapeake has an economic diversity that the resort city might envy.
Virginia Beach is heavily dependent on residential revenue, with only about 20 percent of its tax base coming from business and industry. That means residents are bearing most of the tax burden.
``Residential property, unless it's very expensive, just doesn't support the services that are needed,'' said Beach City Manager James K. Spore.
By comparison, a third of Chesapeake's tax base comes from commercial, office or industrial sources. MEMO: Related articles are on page A8.
CHESAPEAKE CITY COUNCIL: THE CANDIDATES
Citizens are anxious about the rate and nature of growth in
Chesapeake, and how it's changing the city's character. How would you
respond to that anxiety?<
What strategies would you use to help the city better deal with
residential growth? How would you persuade others on council to adopt
your stand?
Chesapeake's citizens want larger, Fortune 500 companies to locate in
Chesapeake. What strategies would you use to lure such businesses?
MAYOR
JOHN A. COSGROVE
Age: 41
Address: 800 block of Amy Marie Lane.
Occupation: Supervisory electronics engineer.
Growth is the single most important issue facing Chesapeake today,
and it is the one common issue that has angered most of our citizens.
The crushing growth our city is suffering is responsible for the
overcrowded schools, the massive traffic, the shortage of police and
firefighters and the water shortages that some sections of our city
experience every time there is a dry spell. Bill Ward has consistently
voted against any type of growth control measures that have been
introduced for consideration. He is directly responsible for the
unacceptable rate of growth that is enveloping our city.
I will encourage the City Council to ask the General Assembly again
and again for enabling legislation that will allow us to impose impact
fees, or require adequate public facilities, so that the builders will
have to bear the cost for the impact on our water, roads and schools. I
will also encourage the utilization of use permits that will restrict
the density and architecture that will be allowed on lots already zoned
for residential construction. The current majority on City Council was
the first to stand up to the developers and institute the Levels of
Service policy that would restrict building so that we would not exceed
school capacity and road quality. I will strictly adhere to this policy
and will support a managed growth plan that will allow Chesapeake to
catch up on schools, roads, water and critical fire and police services.
Finally, I will work with other municipalities in Virginia to learn from
their success and failures in dealing with over-development so that we
will not suffer this onslaught of over-development for years to come.
We must court new businesses that will bring good, solid high-paying
jobs to Chesapeake so that we will have opportunities for our citizens
to live and work in Chesapeake. This can be done by working with
representatives of companies, expressing our interest in their companies
and making Chesapeake attractive to the decision-makers who decided
where they will locate their operations. Chesapeake is a wonderful
location for corporations and businesses to establish their facilities
and work force, and we must closely work with these organizations and
offer incentives for them to make Chesapeake their first choice. I will
work with the business development office to establish contact with
interested businesses and we will work hard to convince them that
Chesapeake has wonderful transportation avenues, access to ports and a
work force that is skilled and educated.
WILLIAM E. WARD
Age: 62
Address: 1400 block of South Waterside Drive.
Occupation: History professor, Norfolk State University.
In recent years, much of the residential activity has declined while
the commercial activity has increased considerably. This is due in part
to the council's reluctance to rezone large tracts of land and following
the Comprehensive Land Use Policy. In addition, Council has established
guidelines for future land use. In addition, the Council adopted ``the
planning and land use policy'' in 1995. This policy is designed to
further direct growth in the city and to ensure the ``timeliness'' of
development. This will establish levels of service standards for schools
and roads. I intend to continue the orderly management of the city's
growth.
I voted with a majority of Council to include impact fees in the 1996
legislative package. The best way to mange growth in an orderly way is
for Council to follow the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the LOS
(levels of service) guidelines adopted in 1995.
Council must adopt and promote a pro business attitude. Often,
Council members will attack one business community, i.e.,
builders/developers. It should be realized that thousands of citizens
depend on the shelter industry for their livelihood. When one economic
sector is singled out for attack, others view that as an anti-business
position. Council should work with the city manager and department heads
to streamline the permitting process. A major complaint heard often from
the business community is ``Which set of rules do we have to play by?''
City staff must realize that it exists to help not hinder citizens in
obtaining the necessary permits in an expeditious manner. Council must
be willing to work cooperatively with regional organizations to attract
the larger, Fortune 500 companies to the area. The Hampton Roads mayors
and chairs must agree on a regional agenda that establishes a
pro-business climate, one that focuses on economic competitiveness and
job creation. To do so would require regional efforts to attract a major
airline to establish a Hub in the area, a major league sports franchise
and a mass transit system. Lastly, the Council must be willing to
continue its efforts, through the Economic Development, to seek more
foreign investments in Chesapeake.
CITY COUNCIL
ROBERT D. ``BOB'' BOWMAN
Age: 45
Address: 1000 block of Pleasant Ridge Drive.
Occupation: Owner of Bowman Construction Corp.
We are all anxious about the rate and nature of growth in Chesapeake.
This is a great city to live in. It's safe, it has a neighborhood
atmosphere and high-quality schools. These are the reasons most of us
moved here in the first place and the same reasons why others will come.
We now need to properly plan for the future by attracting more
businesses into our city that will help to broaden our revenue base and
relieve some of the tax burden from its residents.
The strategy that I would use to help deal with residential growth is
for it to be meaningful and well managed. Chesapeake will continue to be
a wonderful place to live as long as we find a way to take care of our
public services, public utilities and infrastructure. This can only be
accomplished by broadening our revenue base through finding businesses
that will provide good living standards for employees and helping us to
increase revenues.
We, the citizens of Chesapeake, are thinking logically when we say we
want jobs that pay well, companies that will boost the tax base and also
give something back to the city. I would use the strategy to attract
such businesses as these by maintaining the high standard of life we now
enjoy. We must also realize we are going to have to give something to
get businesses to locate here, such as an initial tax break. With each
company we attract to our area, there will be certain concessions we
will surely have to consider.
DALTON S. EDGE
Age: 48
Address: 3100 block of Sherwood Drive.
Occupation: Farmer.
We must assure that we will provide basic services first and not
continue the uncontrolled irresponsible growth of the past.
Look very closely at all residential applications, insure that
adequate facilities are available.
It is essential that we encourage and support our economic
development department. We must provide tax incentives and sites for
commercial development. But we must first solve our water problem. It is
very difficult to attract quality businesses when you cannot drink the
water.
EDWARD L. HALL JR.
Age: 53
Address: 400 block of Granda Drive.
Occupation: Quality assurance manager, Ingersoll-Dresser Pump Co.
The rate and nature of the growth of our city must be responded to
with both respect and consideration for citizen concerns about the lack
of infrastructure, such as schools and roads, and other services. I will
actively pursue the inclusion of our citizens and businesses in
processes that can provide consensus for the direction in which council
should move to manage our growth. Additionally, I will support
initiative referenda to provide guidance from our citizens to enhance
the development of our city.
My strategies for dealing with our residential growth would include
improved participation from our citizens and businesses to allow the
total understanding of the impact of residential growth and that
relationship to other types of growth within the city. Both the
financial costs and gains must be based on facts rather than opinions
and must be weighed against the needs of the city rather than any
special interests. Our direction for growth management must be one that
is both fair to all citizens and have infrastructures and a quality of
life deserved by our citizens. I will work with other council members to
assure that we are directing our attention to the objective facts to
provide a direction driven by our citizens and made possible by the
development of consensus conclusions.
My strategy for the attraction of major businesses to Chesapeake
would first be to develop with all council members a professional
approach to the management of our city which would result in the
improvement of the image of the city of Chesapeake. I will strive to see
that our city is recognized as one that is financially stable and
capable of providing levels of service that are required for the
attraction of businesses. I will direct my efforts to providing a
quality of life that is attractive to businesses considering
Chesapeake.
ROBERT T. NANCE JR.
Age: 41
Address: 500 block of New Zealand Reach.
Occupation: Owner and operator of a landscaping corporation.
The City Council needs more control over the existing inventoried
property, so it can better plan the capital and operating budgets. A
better prepared council will keep up with the quality of life concerns
of citizens.
I was at the forefront of the ``cluster zoning concept'' that allows
City Council to work with developers of currently zoned property that
allowed us to acquire such things like Chesapeake's first arboretum,
school sites and needed road improvements. I have worked with our state
delegates and senators for needed solutions that can only be resolved by
the General Assembly with legislation.
As a council member, I am proud of our hiring of a developmental
coordinator to broaden the tax base by seeking out Fortune 500 companies
that want to locate in a progressive community. We have also worked
closely with Portsmouth in a regional effort to bring jobs that will
help both cities.
DWIGHT M. PARKER
Age: 46
Address: 200 block of Haverford Drive.
Occupation: Social studies teacher, Deep Creek High School.
I would explain or have someone explain the entire financial picture
to the citizens. I believe that once a person fully understands the
situation they will be more inclined to support our efforts.
We must continue to enforce those local ordinances that we have on
the books and at the same time seek economic development that will not
adversely impact service delivery. We must have people on council who
share the same vision for Chesapeake. Then I will not have to persuade
them.
Being a student of government, I believe we must offer inducements to
Fortune 500 companies to locate in Chesapeake. We do not have to give
away the store, but we must be competitive.
WILLIAM H. ``BILL'' PIERCE
Age: 61
Address: 700 block of Creef Lane.
Occupation: Retired management analyst and long-range planner for the
Department of Defense.
As a councilman, my votes will reflect a commitment to long-range
planning for future growth by ``consistently'' enforcing established
levels of service to avoid overwhelming our infrastructure (schools,
sewers, etc.) and applying the policy outlined in the city's
Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Master Road Plan. I will also seek to
include private industry in solving our problems quickly, such as
equitable private road construction initiatives for routes 17 and 168.
We can't wait until the year 2002 to get started on these road
construction needs.
Although impact fees and adequate public facilities legislation have
been presented as alternatives, my assessment of the political climate
indicates that these initiatives have zero chance for approval by the
General Assembly. The City Council has the tools available to plan for
future growth; consequently, the solution is to elect councilmen with
the courage to ``stand in the gap' and use these tools. As a
professional management analyst, I would use the skills and experience
acquired over a 25-year career to persuade others on council to adopt my
stand. These skills include being a team player and consensus builder to
resolve conflicts and parochial interests and serving in the role of
``honest broker'' to ensure everyone's views are presented.
Attracting Fortune 500 companies not just to Chesapeake but to
Hampton Roads is contingent upon regional cooperation by the 15 cities
that comprise this area. We must set aside parochial interests and work
together to resolve the following deficiencies which are a barrier to
attracting major industries: (1) pursue funding sources recently enacted
by the General Assembly to provide incentives for industry to relocate
to the Tidewater area; (2) promote a regional water authority to satisfy
an industry's tremendous need for water; (3) construct a world-class
airport and plan for state of the art mass transit system (trains,
subway and highways; and (4) build a major-league sports complex and
attract a major-league sports franchise.
ELIZABETH P. THORNTON
Age: 57
Address: 700 block of Wood Duck Lane.
Occupation: Program coordinator, graduate programs in international
studies, Old Dominion University.
An increase in the number of citizens residing in Chesapeake is
probably our fate. All the areas surrounding Hampton Roads are
increasing in population. What is desirable is to have a wonderful city
10 years or 20 years in the future. At the present time, the cities are
catching up with this rapid growth. The roads are congested, classrooms
overcrowded and water sometimes deficient. In overcoming these immediate
problems, we still must plan for the final result in the future of this
growth. We must assure that we have a beautiful city with good jobs,
homes, education and transportation for all.
Some of the difficulties obtaining legislative support of the state
assembly might be overcome if all of the Hampton Roads cities were
united in their requests. The rate of growth has been so phenomenal that
many city services such as sewers, roads, water and educational
facilities are presently inadequate. The effect is to make development
seem undesirable in some areas even if the Comprehensive Land Use Plan
is being followed. I have some fear that the council will be so harassed
by immediate needs that long-range planning will suffer. We must always
think in long-range terms and make an assertive attempt to seek options
that will solve immediate problems while ensuring that we keep an eye to
the future.
Education, an international outlook, regional unity and care of the
environment are essential to making Hampton Roads attractive to
business. We must act as a single region to attract business. If the
region is attractive, Chesapeake will benefit. Hampton Roads must be a
center for primary, secondary, graduate and post-graduate excellence in
education. Training for international businesses in a global economy
must be offered to young students and to adults requiring re-training.
We must develop environmentally sound marine industries and improve
recreational facilities along our waterfront.
JAMES E. WHITENER
Age: 47
Address: 1500 block of Birch Leaf Road.
Occupation: Special agent, U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service,
specializing in fraud and white-collar crime.
By controlling it with considerably more finesse and fairness than we
see today and doing so in a way which eases anxiety by providing
predictability in terms of the future. Together, with a comprehensive
land-use map, we already have the tools in the form of land-use plans
and ordinances. In essence, we have the ability, but not the resolve. I
have that kind of resolve.
No one single strategy is the answer to Chesapeake's explosive
residential growth, and no single answer should become a burden on just
one segment of the community. I think a concept called adequate public
facilities can go a long way toward blending answers and provide a way
to tie growth to our ability to fund it properly. That way, we can stage
residential development to make it affordable for those who live here
and those who will soon join us. At the same time, our objective
shouldn't be to put builders and developers out of business with
abnormally high impact fees. Work means jobs, jobs mean tax revenues,
and more tax revenues mean a lighter load for everyone.
One of the first things a new company wants is a well-educated and
qualified work fore. As a result, support for a quality public education
system is an essential component of any strategy. Second, I would demand
improvements for our infrastructure for roads and essentials such as
water and sewer service. Finally, I would insist that we stop
participating in municipal bidding wars for new business where we come
very close to giving away most of what we might gain. There's not a city
in the country which doesn't want a Fortune 500 company. Chesapeake is
not an exception, but perhaps we should also lower our aim and seek out
companies whose needs more closely match ours.
Editor's note: Antoine Whitted is not officially registered with the
voter registrar's office as a candidate. His name will not appear on the
ballot May 7. Voters wishing to support him should ask poll workers how
to record his name on the ballot.
ANTOINE WHITTED
Age: 26
Address: 2800 block of Breeze Avenue.
Occupation: Car salesman.
I would have to respond that growth necessitates change. Change is a
by-product of growth, and without growth and change the community of
Chesapeake will stagnate. Education and recreation have to mirror the
growth. It needs to be a controlled growth that suits the needs of the
community.
Building permits controlled; have builders justify more construction
that impacts on the city's facilities. If the welfare of the general
populace is truly of interest to other council members, I should not
have to persuade them. It should be their goal just as it is mine.
Implement tax advantages and create a good solid foundation, an
environment that would lure Fortune 500 companies here in the future.
CHESAPEAKE SCHOOL BOARD: THE CANDIDATES
What technological skills should every student have before graduating
from a Chesapeake high school?
What three things would you do to improve the school system's use of
technology, if given the chance?
What computer skills do you have?
DEBORAH G. DUPREE
Age: 40
Address: 1100 block of Taft Road.
Occupation: Public school teacher.
Computer literacy.
Encourage purchasing of more computers; training teachers how to
utilize them in instruction; and use it as an integral part of the
curriculum.
I am computer competent. The computer is used in my classroom for
reinforcing what I've taught. I've taken extensive classes in
word-processing, Virginia PEN and Internet. At home, the computer is
used daily for personal management.
PATRICK ``P.J.'' FENWICK
Age: 37
Address: 600 block of Sparrow Road.
Occupation: Retailer.
Word processing skills on a computer; the ability to use a computer
and all its peripheral devices for communication, research, and
problem-solving.
(a) I would want to research thoroughly any new uses of technology
before we adopt them. (b) I would make sure that our staff had received
appropriate training before their introduction. (c) I would set up a
committee to investigate new applications of technologies and to make
recommendations on what bears our looking into.
I use a computer at work with pre-packed software. We use it for
inventory and E-Mailing. And I have an old personal computer at home
that I used to use for writing papers, now pretty much for educational
and game software.
ALLEN H. GOODE Jr.
Age: 67
Address: 900 block of Costa Avenue
Occupation: Retired Army Reserves Major
Kids should be computer literate, have a working knowledge of the
computer.
Increase the number of computers and train teachers to use the
computer technology.
None.
THOMAS L. MERCER Sr.
Age: 40
Address: 2600 block of Smithson Drive.
Occupation: Pastor.
Technology is a vital component in the meeting of this goal. Every
student should be able to produce documents and know how to use the
computer to do research. One of the Standards of Learning goals is for
students by the eighth grade to have their own home page on the
Internet. I support this goal being implemented as soon as fiscally
possible.
Increased funding for technology; increased technology training for
teachers and students; increased use of technology in the way we run our
school system.
I know how to turn it on, surf the Net, crash the computer.
I'm open to learning more of the technology myself. I know the
importance of what it will have to the students graduating from
Chesapeake schools.
HARRY A. MURPHY
Age: 39
Address: 400 block of Briarwood Court.
Occupation: Founder and owner of A. Murphy Fence Co.
Our graduates must be computer literate. They must have a basic
understanding of what this modern tool can do for them. In order to
understand technology, students will first have to understand the
basics.
I would dramatically increase the number of computers in our schools.
I would ensure staff and teachers receive proper training to utilize
these new tools. I would ensure the daily use of today's technological
advances in each classroom in our system.
I use the computer on a daily basis for payroll, accounts
receiveable, accounts payable. I use it to design desks and fences, I'm
on-line with the Internet and Windows. I also I also use it extensively
in the Reserves and in the Navy writing messages.
JAMES G. THOMSON
Age: 44
Address: 5100 block of Lake Shore Drive.
Occupation: Part-time bookseller at Waldenbooks, Military Circle.
All should have the ability to use some kind of computer application,
and know how to use ``help'' menus and ``tutorials'' to learn the basics
of others. Other technological skills can be taken as electives - crafts
like automotive, electrical or electronic repair and various business
specialties. Tech-prep programs combine a broad variety of technical
skills with a college prep curriculum and should be more widely
available.
Provide training for teachers to use a wider variety of software
across the curriculum. Expand the administration's use of technology to
facilitate communication between home and school. One example is the new
multi-line telephone system which allows parents to check on their
child's attendance at Oscar Smith High School. Implement the Six-Year
Educational Technology Plan for Virginia. This plan will retrofit
facilities to use emerging network technologies.
When I was an instructor in the Navy from 1977 to 1980, I taught a
computer-managed instruction course. We maintained the entire course,
standardized tests on a mainframe computer. Since then, I've had three
different generations of computers in the home. I've been on the
Internet for a couple of years.
JAMES J. WHEATON
Age: 35
Address: 400 block of Meridian Drive.
Occupation: Attorney.
The new standards of learning incorporate many technological skills,
and we will work to ensure that all Chesapeake students have these
skills on the timetable suggested by the S.O.L.s. In general, all
graduating students should have strong keyboarding skills and the
ability to use standard computer programs to write, perform financial
calculations and manipulate data. It is impossible to predict the
technology skills that will be needed by this year's first graders, but
we must move to accommodate new possibilities as quickly as we are
able.
I would make more computers available in the classrooms, provide
adequate training to teachers and ensure that computers are used to
supplement our curriculum.
It is a major part of my professional and personal life, I use it to
communicate with people around the world, especially on educational
issues.
My 5-year-old and 2-year-old are computer literate. They can sit in
front of the computer and do things. I use e-mail all day and I've
designed web-pages.
PATRICIA P. WILLIS
Age: 39
Address: 1000 block of Windswept Circle.
Occupation: Homemaker.
Every student should be competent and confident at running a
computer. He should have keyboard skills, as well as the ability to
successfully write and design reports and projects with the computer. He
should be able to use the computer for gathering information from
software, as well as services such as the Internet.
A new Chesapeake cable television station is coming on line. I would
like to see programs produced which would be geared to different ages
and topics presented locally by outstanding teachers to be shown during
school hours. In addition, special student presentations in one school
could be taped and shared with the other schools. I would like to see
our system set goals to move toward all students having more access to
network and telecommunications. The school system needs to put emphasis
on ways to use technology for administrative use. When I entered law
school in 1980, one of my first challenges was to learn to do
computerized legal research. I quickly learned that using on-line
research services was much more efficient than piling up stacks of books
in the law library. We purchased our home computer and used it
extensively for word-processing.
MICHAEL J. WOODS
Age: 30
Address: 1600 Block of Dock Landing Road.
Occupation: Attorney.
It is essential that every student learn the uses of computer
technology.
We need to encourage students not going to college to enroll in the
Tech-Prep program. We need to provide the most current information and
skills available and to provide modern equipment and skilled faculty.
I have a computer at the office for word-processing. I have one at
home, with a modem and I can e-mail.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MORT FRYMAN, The Virginian-Pilot
Housing developments like Cedar Pointe Meadows underscore
Chesapeake's rapid growth.
KEYWORDS: CANDIDATE CHESAPEAKE CITY COUNCIL RACE CHESAPEAKE SCHOOL
BOARD RACE PUBLIC JOURNALISM by CNB