THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 9, 1996 TAG: 9604090006
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
I am grateful for ``Come together'' (editorial, March 29). You rightly point out that areawide cooperation can no longer be just a dream; it is a necessity if Hampton Roads is ever to reach its potential and enjoy benefits that come from a thriving business community.
Areawide cooperation is certainly a must, and this has been recognized by the Commissioners of the Revenue Association for years. We practiced this cooperation long before other advocates began urging the 15 cities and counties in Hampton Roads to come together not in ``merger'' but in cooperation.
The current president of the Commissioners of the Revenue Association, Ray A. Conner, commissioner of the revenue in Chesapeake, is probably the strongest advocate of areawide cooperation in all of Hampton Roads. For several years, Ray had been promoting and urging commissioners of the revenue to join in these efforts.
Examples of successful cooperation:
1. Vehicle decals - use of the same color and expiration date. This has been applauded by police departments as a tremendously effective enforcement tool.
2. Ticketing of vehicles with expired decals regardless of jurisdiction.
3. Establishing a uniform due date for purchasing business licenses; this is most helpful to those businesses that have locations in two or more cities and counties.
4. Exchange of legal interpretations and information among the commissioners of the revenue in Hampton Roads.
5. Establishing an effective lobbying program with the General Assembly to protect local revenues.
As CEOs and other leaders in this area continue their efforts to further areawide cooperation, I hope they, and you, will not overlook the original leaders and advocates of this movement, and one person who ``lives the concept'' of cooperation is Ray Conner.
SAM T. BARFIELD
Commissioner of the revenue
City of Norfolk, March 29, 1996 by CNB