THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 20, 1996 TAG: 9610180215
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letters
LENGTH: 78 lines
In this November's election, the ballot will include this question: ``Is there a need for the Redevelopment and Housing Authority to be activated in the City of Virginia Beach?'' The vote is final. If the voting majority approves the proposal, the authority becomes a reality. No other approval is required.
The Board of Directors of the Citizens Action Coalition unanimously rejects the proposed Redevelopment Authority because it is not in the best interests of the ordinary citizens of Virginia Beach. It will threaten, not enhance, our quality of life. The board's foremost concern is the awesome built-in power this authority has to acquire, against the owner's will, residential and small business property, for the profit of a wealthy few.
Among the board's other concerns for turning thumbs down on the proposal are:
Virginia Beach does not need the Redevelopment Authority. Unlike other Tidewater cities, it does not have extensive blighted/deteriorated areas or a shortage of land for economic development.
Virginia Beach already has the capability and tools needed to deal with problem neighborhoods. Target areas are getting help through the city's Housing and Neighborhood Preservation Office, including low-interest home repair loans, financial aid to purchase and rehabilitate vacant housing, and code enforcement sweeps.
The Redevelopment Authority's commissioners, plans and projects are beyond the direct reach of city voters. This authority is not a part of the city government but an independent political subdivision of the Commonwealth with its own staff, administration and regulations.
The Redevelopment Authority can create debt by borrowing money and issuing its own bonds. The debt is not shown on the city's books, opening the door for more and more overall borrowing.
The Redevelopment Authority can acquire public housing through construction, purchase or lease.
The Redevelopment Authority operations means a new era of government cost growth in Virginia Beach, which must be fed by the city's taxpayers.
Virginia Beach's push for a Redevelopment Authority is to expedite economic development rather than improving neighborhood living conditions.
Boosting the city's economy is a worthy objective. But the Coalition's board strongly believes that economic development should not thrive on the trauma created by seizing private property, razing homes and destroying neighborhoods.
Al Strazzullo
President,
Citizens Action Coalition
On May 7, Virginia Beach voters were asked to vote on a referendum question as to how they should elect their City Council. The question as put forth originally should have been: ``Should City Council request the General Assembly to amend the City's existing councilmanic electoral plan to provide for seven members to be elected only by the voters of their respective districts and three members and the mayor to be elected by the City at large?''
The question as put to the voters was skewed by the City Council against district representation as follows: ``Should the city council member elected to represent a particular borough be elected by all the qualified voters throughout the city (an at-large system) rather than only by the qualified voters residing in that particular borough (a ward system?)''
Then they added these instructions on how to vote: ``If you wish to vote for all 11 seats, vote YES! If you prefer to vote for only five of the 11 council seats, vote NO!''
On Nov. 5, voters will be asked:
``Is there a need for a redevelopment and housing authority to be activated in Virginia Beach?''
As on May 7, should not instructions on how to vote Nov. 5 be added, i.e.:
``If you want your property condemned and taken without just compensation, vote YES! If you do not want your property condemned and taken without just compensation, vote NO!''
Maurice B. Jackson
Chairman,
Virginia Beach Citizens
for Electoral Reform
KEYWORDS: REDEVLOPMENT AUTHORITY DEBATE by CNB