THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 16, 1994 TAG: 9412150173
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Folks who packed City Council chambers Tuesday didn't come out to protest a proposed tax increase, rather most residents were there to ask for more money in the budget to build or improve ball fields.
City Manager V. Wayne Orton had recommended that the city borrow $8 million for building needs rather than the $10 million that has been approved in recent years. Orton scaled back the city's building budget this year, saying the city can't afford to keep getting further into debt.
The city's Municipal Finance Commission praised Orton's recommendations. Willard Stanback, commission chairman, said the group also ``unofficially'' supported Orton's recommendation for a 4-cent tax increase devoted to economic-development initiatives. Of 24 speakers at the public hearing, two opposed the tax.
Most residents said Tuesday that they want the city to continue building on its recent accomplishments such as the new Children's Museum of Virginia and the soon-to-be-opened Tidewater Community Arts Center.
Residents who support a 5,000-seat stadium at Wilson High School believe that by building a regional facility, the city would be able to pull in teams from all over the region - earning money for the schools and showing off for visitors.
``There's no telling how much money Wilson and Norcom have lost because the city doesn't have a state approved football field,'' said Fred Salanitro, president of the Wilson Parent-Teacher Association and a volunteer coach for the school's wrestling team. ``This stadium could be used for more than football. We could bring in the Tidewater Sharks for a game, we could have band competitions, we could host football championships, maybe we could even get teams from other cities to use our field.''
The city has estimated the cost of such a facility at $1.25 million. A group of supporters hired an architect who estimated the costs at nearly $800,000. That proposal was not included in the building budget.
Residents who supported two new Little League complexes, including improved soccer fields, promised to pull in regional competitions that could bring overnight visitors and big money.
Steve Willoughby, of the Cradock Football League, said a complex at the corner of George Washington Highway and Victory Boulevard could bring in teams from North Carolina, Maryland and parts of Virginia to compete in tournaments.
The city manager has recommended spending $500,000 for those fields, but didn't include funds for the John Tyler Little League because it was a ``newer project.''
City officials estimate it would cost about $300,000 to improve those fields. But folks from John Tyler suggested a compromise. They asked that the city spend nearly $48,000 this year to help improve their fields.
Pat Pfeiffer, treasurer for the John Tyler Little League, said that with the improvements, they could work to attract tournaments.
``We ask very little of the city,'' Pfeiffer said. ``What other program is so self sufficient? We have an annual $20,000 budget that costs the city $2,500.''
Her 13-year-old son, Andrew Pfeiffer, who plays soccer in that league, told council members that the fields are needed to keep teenagers from ``hanging out.''
The council and the city's Planning Commission said they would consider citizen requests in their future work sessions on the budget. The council is set to vote on the final budget Jan. 10. by CNB