THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 8, 1996 TAG: 9608060149
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 73 lines
Some property owners in the condemned section of East Ocean View (east of Shore Drive) are being driven into major debt because of the low ``take bids'' offered by the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority. In some cases the ``take bids'' are significantly below existing mortgages and/or current city property tax assessment values.
Property owners with the means and the will are being forced to demand that real ``fair market values'' be hammered out in court. It is a disgrace that local Norfolk officials are willing to squander property owner and taxpayer money on litigation rather than offer realistic compensation to dispossessed citizens in the first place.
One property owner and his wife just spent two years and thousands of dollars opposing a low take bid on their property. In the end they won a pre-trial agreement award that was slightly greater than the compromise selling price they initially offered the NRHA back in 1994. The only people to gain from such a scenario are the NRHA officials, who draw their paychecks no matter what and the people they pay to prosecute such cases.
Public seizure of private property for the private profit of others is a bad idea at best. Norfolk officials have taken it a step further and made it punitive. It is an abuse of power to attempt to intimidate and hassle a law abiding citizen simply because that citizen has something the NRHA wants.
Finally, Virginia condemnation law itself is heavily biased against the property owner and in favor of the condemning authority. Both the law and the attitude of the ``takers'' are badly in need of change.
H.E. Robertson
Stratford Chase Drive
Virginia Beach Get a rope
To begin with, I am not the Associated Press or Knight Ridder News Service or any of the other news services; just an old woman of 89 years who would have my say. And for one thing, I'm sure this letter will never be published in your newspaper, but I am going to have my say.
I may have a solution as to what can be done to these crazy bombers. Yes, I know the federal agents are out doing their thing and President Clinton has his say, ``We will track them down and bring them to justice.'' But the bombers still set off their bombs and kill and maim the innocents.
If and when the bomber is caught, then what happens? Good money is spent on the darling bomber who had a bad childhood; money spent to find out what makes him or her tick. But many children have had a bad childhood and grew up to do great things - so that's no excuse.
So when and if the bomber is caught and good money is spent trying to figure out what to do with him or her, it seems it's time to do some heavy thinking ourselves. Then the bomber is put in prison for many years and when he becomes ``rehabilitated'' he is turned loose on the unsuspecting public, maybe once more to do his bombing.
I am thinking of the days of long ago when, if a horse was stolen the thief was caught and put on the back of a horse with a rope around his neck. Then with a pat on the horse's rump so he would take off - well, no more horse thief. Be sure, of course, that he is guilty. I'm sure the horse wouldn't mind if a bomber was put on his back. Knowing what could and would happen to a bomber, if caught, just may be what would slow up some of the bombing. And no matter the sex or age. If they are capable of making a bomb, then their neck is capable of holding a rope.
Also, remove all literature at the public libraries that shows how to make bombs. It's there for all to see. Even Hitler was aware of the good information he could get from our libraries, believe it or not.
Also, did anyone think of fingerprints that may possibly be found on the pay phone, left by the suspicious caller?
Well, I've had my say and I'm sure it won't be printed.
Lillian D. Hazard
W. Ocean Avenue by CNB