THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, February 4, 1997             TAG: 9702040013
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A10  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   34 lines

DON'T WANT GOVERNMENT MEDDLING? MOVE TO SANDBRIDGE

It is Saturday morning, and I am into my second cup of coffee and the editorial page of The Virginian-Pilot. Kerry Dougherty's column (``Same ocean that sank the Titanic now sets sights on seawall,'' Jan. 25) got me thinking about several of Virginia Beach's problems.

This past week there was an article about residents who couldn't get their boats out at low tide and needed the city's financial assistance to dredge their canals. May I suggest you move to Sandbridge? The city will be more than happy to watch your canals fill up with water. While you silently drift away - you'll have the option of doing this by Bay or ocean - the city fathers will wave to you from your own docks as they collect your extra tax dollars.

To the people who want $3.5 million to build a PGA golf course, I suggest money for its beaches. You would get your mounds; they would get their sand dunes; and you would have acquired a location equivalent to some of the finest golf courses in the world. And because the city is called Virginia Golf, you would be certain that the city would come up with the money to restore, refurbish and maintain your facility.

This would work to everyone's advantage. The city wouldn't have to dredge canals, it would obtain a prime location for its golf course and Sandbridge residents wouldn't have to tax themselves to get what others get for free.

Finally, to the North End residents who do not want a seawall crammed up their beaches to the tune of $8 million, I say, move to Sandbridge. That way you'll never have to worry about government coming into your neighborhood and making any improvements, ever!

J. Y. MEYER

Virginia Beach, Jan. 25, 1997