THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 16, 1995 TAG: 9503160009
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
We were shocked to read in last Sunday's Virginian-Pilot that there is a move to change a city ordinance, thus allowing a commercial electric sign to be installed on city property near Waterside. The newspaper reported, ``The Planning Commission, the Design Review Board and a private design consultant who works with the city have rejected the idea as commercializing public space and the equivalent of a city-sponsored billboard.'' Why would any council member choose to ignore this sound input?
City Council should not insult the intelligence of our voting community by making this a race issue. The race of the entrepreneur is a nonissue. The question in its most basic form is: Does the electorate of Norfolk want billboard advertising? I suggest that it does not. In past years we had billboard advertising. We are thankful that the city was able to get rid of these blights in downtown Norfolk.
Thanks for your editorial, ``No commercials, please'' (March 14). You were right on target. We earnestly hope that the members of City Council will heed the citizens of Norfolk.
MARY M. CURTIS
GEORGE H. CURTIS III
Norfolk, March 14, 1995 by CNB