THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 10, 1996 TAG: 9610100368
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAREN WEINTRAUB, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 35 lines
About 60 citizens and civic leaders attended a forum Wednesday night to learn more about the proposed creation of a redevelopment and housing authority in Virginia Beach.
The Council of Civic Organizations, which organized the event, did not take a position on the ballot question. But it was clear from the audience's questions that many people had serious doubts about the issue voters will consider Nov. 5.
``What do you really want?'' civic activist Frankland P. Babonis asked officials. ``I think it's a disguise.''
The hourlong forum began with short speeches for and against an authority, which would give the City Council the power to condemn private property to remove blight and promote economic development.
Several audience members were clearly annoyed that the council had placed the referendum on the ballot on the last possible day, without leaving much time for public input. City Council member Louis R. Jones said the council may have acted on short notice but has been considering the creation of an authority for several years.
Wednesday's forum was the first public event addressing the issue. The Council of Civic Organizations' board members who attended the meeting voted 16-7 not to take a position on the referendum, although many members opposed it.
So far three business groups have come out in favor of the authority, and a fledging organization called Concerned Citizens for Personal Property has formed to work against it.
The ballot question reads: ``Is there a need for the Redevelopment and Housing Authority to be activated in the city of Virginia Beach?'' by CNB