THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 1, 1994 TAG: 9406010005
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Medium
DATELINE: 940601 LENGTH:
Frankly, I was appalled at many of the comments of our newly elected council members (news, May 8). Their comments clearly showed contempt for the very voters who elected them five days earlier.
{REST} Comments, such as the one your editorial quoted from Councilman Harrison, that ``Many people who voted for it, in my view, didn't understand it,'' were expressed by other council members as well. Other comments included: ``53.7 percent does not represent a mandate''; ``the referendum was only advisory''; ``I need to study the issue more before I can comment'' (wonder how they voted on the referendum?).
It should be emphasized that some of the council members were elected from boroughs that also cast a majority vote in favor of the referendum. This may be the best example of why we need a ward system.
Underlying this whole issue is one of leadership. It would appear that many of our council members have their own agenda and pay little attention to what the majority of voters believe.
I hope I am wrong in this belief, because in the coming year this council will be dealing with the future of Virginia Beach. If the council members treats the problems of water, economic growth and keeping Oceana Naval Air Station open as cavalier as they appear to be treating the ward issue, they will have failed to provide the leadership they were elected to provide and this great city deserves.
M. D. BEACH
Virginia Beach, May 19, 1994
by CNB