THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 2, 1996 TAG: 9605010088
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Citizen apathy fuels the fire for our leaders to do as they please, and so it seems that the Suffolk City Council has disconnected itself from the people.
As our elected representatives, council members have the power to manipulate and control politically ``hot issues'' in their respective boroughs by appeasing their individual constituents with one opposition vote without jeopardizing the ultimate council goal, which is to acquiesce to the powerful and affluent special interest groups under the guise of doing what is best for the city. Apparently, this is politics, and in Suffolk, it represents pro-business at any citizens' or neighborhoods' expense.
In the last two years, the present City Council has orchestrated two coups against the Palmyra subdivision in the Nansemond Borough. Last year, the $50,000 appropriation for city sewerage to Palmyra was taken away because we did not meet HUD's tract guidelines. After 20 years of being a stone's throw from the Route 460 sewer main, and our sister neighborhood, Sadler Heights, benefiting from these services, we should not have to wait on escalating costs or federal funding for this service. It should be funded from the capital improvements plan.
On April 17, the City Council ignored a resident's petition against business infringing into the neighborhood, and they rezoned R-1 property to B-2, allowing an existing medical practice to expand for rental purposes. This was a clear case of spot rezoning for the sole benefit of the applicant. Similar requests by the same applicants were turned down on Nov. 19, 1986, by the City Council, and also by the Planning Commission of Feb. 4, 1981, resulting in the applicant's withdrawal.
Apparently, long-term land use planning is meaningless to our present City Council. The current political mood and short-term requirement to increase tax revenues has replaced what should be the long-term goal of controlled and well planned growth. Spot rezoning in Suffolk will manifest itself in future tax increases needed to fund unplanned improvements to roads, replacement of water supplies and numerous other ills plaguing our neighboring cities.
The best way to change the current political mood is to a) get vocal and b) vote.
It is hard to get motivated to attend a council meeting, especially when you are busy making a living to raise a family and pay the mortgage; however, it is harder to accept a cram down from City Council when it involves a business in your back yard.
We have responsible government in our city, but the question remains, who is it responsible to and how do they appoint a Blue Ribbon Committee?
Wayne A. Ruth
Palmyra Drive
Suffolk Involvement, experience boost Leroy Bennett
The Suffolk Civic Forum, at its regular meeting, gave an unprecedented endorsement to Leroy Bennett, candidate from the Nansemond Borough for a seat on the Suffolk City Council.
Mr. Bennett has held responsible positions and has rendered outstanding service while serving on numerous boards and committees in our city. Most recently he served as chairman of the Planning Commission, and he is currently chairman of the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
His extensive involvement in civic leagues and his church further supports his qualifications to serve on the Suffolk City Council.
Charles O. Christian
President
Suffolk Civic Forum by CNB