THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 19, 1996 TAG: 9607180156
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 197 lines
The Virginia Beach Amphitheater is a dream come true for many avid concert-goers.
Ticket purchasers will benefit individual vendors at the site, provide a market for extra jobs and stimulate Ticketmaster's Virginia market.
This is all done with relatively reasonable ticket prices, too.
What surprises me, however, is the parking fee charged per ticket.
The $1.50 per ticket parking fee seems fairly reasonable at first glance. However, when combined with the fact that the amphitheater is not open for advance sales and tickets must be purchased through Ticketmaster, the small fees can easily add up.
Also, the parking fee is charged whether or not the ticket holder drives a car. For example, if four teenagers wanted to see a concert and had a parent drop them off, as a whole they would have paid $6 in parking fees even though they did not park. The current parking fee system also gives no incentive for carpooling, thus possibly resulting in greater amounts of traffic. At venues such as the Hampton Coliseum, concert-goers are charged per car. This is the fairest way to go if the amphitheater wants to continue good customer relations.
If the parking fee per ticket is absolutely necessary, the amphitheater might want to just add it to the ticket price. This would then clear up any misunderstandings concerning ticket prices. Instead of an advertisement reading ``$30 plus parking fee,'' it might read $31.50 per ticket.'' This way the ticket price is what the customer actually pays, plus any additional charges collected by Ticketmaster. The amphitheater box office might also consider making advance ticket sales a possibility. This would eliminate many customers from having to pay the extra charges incurred by having to deal with Ticketmaster.
People now better understand the value of a dollar. It would be a wise decision for the amphitheater to tell its customers that it understands this, also.
Michael DeFendi
June 19 Residents weigh pros and cons of light rail transit
A light rail system would spell doom for Virginia Beach. First and foremost, cheap, reliable and mazelike transportation such as trains, train stations and multiple buses would be a godsend to the regional predators.
To the criminals who don't have cars, Virginia Beach with its lax security and laid back attitude, would now be a fat, juicy target! Especially during the tourist season. By providing them with transportation, via mass transit, Virginia Beach would be giving these criminals the means to come in easily, do a few ``jobs'' and then make a smooth exit.
Eventually there will have to be some kind of police force to safeguard these trains. Who is going to pay for this?
We must also examine the cost of running the system: maintenance, personnel, equipment, lawsuits and so on. This could easily run into the hundreds of millions.
So, does Virginia Beach need to support a transit system that is going to flood it with criminals and floor it with expenses? I think not.
Ray Sampson
June 30
I am opposed to the Light Rail Transportation (LRT) system as currently proposed by Tidewater Regional Transit.
My objections are based on financial as well as practical matters. Financial considerations include:
For the least expensive leg as proposed. . . $376 million
Plus undetermined amounts for the next legs. . . ??? million
Plus interest on all the bonds. . . ?? million
Plus subsidy to support operating cost. . . ??? million
Total: ???? million
Without a reasonable estimate of all these costs, especially the subsidy required to pay outstanding operating costs of the LRT over some number of years, support for the LRT is premature.
The practical reasons include safety, travel time, and fare concerns. First, the idea of running an LRT at high speed every 10 minutes through busy intersections is nutty. It is easy to imagine a car trapped on the track between crossing guards. An accident would be deadly and perhaps knock the LRT cars off the track with horrible consequences.
Second, consider going to work one morning. Drive to a park and ride area, then bus-LRT-bus for a minimum of one hour.
Third, if the fare, including bus and LRT, one way is $3, then one day equals $6; one week equals $30, and one month equals $120.
Two hours a day at $120 per month. What a bargain!
Finally, one must fully investigate the trends on which the current proposal is based. What if those trends do not continue? Several trends that immediately come to mind are:
1. Norfolk regenerates itself and becomes a place where people would like to live as well as work.
2. Businesses would leave Norfolk and move to other localities.
3. Using communications technology more people work at home or in satellite offices.
Much can change in 10 years and the changes may not all lead to more congested highways.
Robert D. O'Connor
July 1
My hat is off to Bill Reed and his June 30 column about a Tidewater monorail system. Additionally, I agree with the June 23 letter from Mark Tyree. I too am very passionate about the idea of a monorail transit system in Hampton Roads.
Part of the attraction of Virginia Beach is its lure as a tourist town. However, unless you have a car you're out of luck. With an attractive and technologically innovative transportation system with far reaching stops, such as Williamsburg, Yorktown, and possibly even Richmond or Washington, D.C., tourists would be inclined to stay here to be near the beach but have the capability to travel all over the area - sans automobile.
Mr. Tyree's comment about blocking traffic is an incredibly valid and important point. Predictions that current road congestion will increase significantly would only lead to more problems with trains stopping traffic every couple of minutes. This city cannot seem to coordinate its stop lights; how are they expected to work with Norfolk to coordinate a train schedule that would minimally interfere with traffic? I feel that a non-invasive, elevated monorail or train system is the only solution.
I also feel it should not be the city's responsibility to finance a transportation system. The companies that would stand to hurt the most from the implementation of a mass transit system would be automotive based (i.e., petroleum, automobile, etc.) and could be given the opportunity to benefit by financing this endeavor. With enough planning and cooperation, major corporations could probably be convinced to foot most of the bill, reducing the tax burden.
The attraction of a mass transit system to commuters also has great potential. Stops could be added at all the military bases and universities. Existing mall parking lots may serve as ``park-and-ride'' areas without requiring the construction of more parking lots.
As an engineer, I have been exposed to research done at Old Dominion University and am aware of research at Langley Research Center involving magnetic-levitation trains. The technology is available. We have the opportunity to develop and build something new, innovative and attractive. Something that if we plan ahead may prove to be a financial and environmental asset to our community.
Terry L. Meek Jr.
June 30 Why the white flight?
I have noticed since I've moved into a cul-de-sac area of Salem Lakes that whites use all types of excuses to put up ``For Sale'' signs to move from the area when three to five or more blacks move in.
Where are they running to or from? Most blacks that can afford or sacrifice to live in a nice area are looking to better themselves. They're looking for better education and a better environment for their children and their family's future. Ninety percent of blacks who can afford to live in Virginia Beach with the higher taxes, can also afford to live in Pungo, Chesapeake or other rural areas. Many blacks are already buying within these areas.
The flight seems to be out of ignorance, fear of property values being lowered or neighborhood destruction. Caucasians who do not move honestly because of the military, age, health, etc., are allowing Virginia Beach to be taken over by the many different ethnic and minority groups. ``Oh well,'' I say to those in flight. ``Good-bye, see ya, wouldn't want to be ya!''
We'll take what you'll be giving us and we'll also see you soon wherever you move.
E.M. DuBoise Diners do have rights
This letter is in regard to proper procedures in dining out. I own a restaurant in Virginia Beach and am bothered when a customer sends back a meal and wants it taken off their check because they do not like it. That is not proper etiquette. If a meal is prepared as the menu states and looks presentable then why should the restaurant be responsible?
Another problem is large party groups of approximately six to 20 people. Many restaurants (not mine), insist on adding a 15 to 20 percent gratuity on checks. Diners should know that they can challenge this if the service was not satisfactory.
In addition, why do establishments require you to have a single check for large parties? Everyone in the party may decide to pay differently and it can become a real annoying experience.
What is the difference if a person comes in with 20 people and sits at one table or 10 separate tables? You still have 20 people sitting at one time.
Some restaurants say that it is easier on the kitchen. It should make no difference if the kitchen is managed properly. Your food may take a little longer but I believe that most people understand that.
However, during lunch, it can be faster as most people are limited for time during their stay.
There are exceptions to every rule and I try to satisfy customers within reason.
Annette Roth
June 26 Amphitheater's a winner
City of Virginia Beach, thank you, thank you, thank you! It is rare that an individual gets to publicly thank his city for a job well done. The Amphitheater is very well planned, organized and operated. My hat is off to my city of Virginia Beach.
I had the honor to attend the Eagles concert June 19 where my 13-year-old son and I had a very enjoyable time. We sat on the lawn next to two young ladies and a couple from Williamsburg. We listened to and watched a prime group perform. The stage was excellent and the video was the best I have seen in 42 years.
From all that I read and hear about items my city is trying to work through (Lake Gaston pipeline, crime, school board problems), the Amphitheater was and is a big foot forward. Keep up the good work in planning for those of us citizens who make Virginia Beach our permanent home.
Steven A. Heuer by CNB