THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, December 1, 1994             TAG: 9412010010
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A16  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   38 lines

IT'S TIME TO WORK TOGETHER

Once again we see lack of cooperation in Hampton Roads. Chesapeake's stand on the Southeastern Expressway could well sound the death knell on what could be a very important road in our future. One look at a map shows that all major roads would connect with the Southeastern Expressway, and these roads have been improved with that in mind.

Any areas has to grow in order to survive, and growth follows limited access and major roads. History shows that if you build major roads, business, commercial, industrial and residential development will not be far behind.

We can no longer take Oceana Naval Air Station for granted. If we lose it, what will take its place? What if we continue to experience military downsizing? Long-range planning and action are needed now, not when it's too late.

Removing the toll (a token toll at that) from the Virginia Beach-Norfolk expressway is not a mistake; it's a huge blunder. Not only would these tolls help finance the Southeastern Expressway, but where is the money for its maintenance and improvement going to come from when the $11 million reserve is used up? The state? Don't hold your breath.

There will come a time when we will need a light-rail system and the Southeastern Expressway, and, because we waited, we will pay dearly.

As a Realtor, I have seen regionalism come close but fail to unite the various real-estate boards in the area. The time has come when we must draw a line in the sand and say: Enough is enough - let's work together.

MEL BAKER

Virginia Beach, Nov. 28, 1994 by CNB