THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, November 3, 1996              TAG: 9611010009
SECTION: COMMENTARY              PAGE: J4   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   30 lines

VOTE AGAINST REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Thank you for your informative coverage of the election. After reading the coverage of local issues, I am urging all Virginia Beach voters to vote against the activation of a Redevelopment Authority in Virginia Beach. The city of Virginia Beach already has at its disposal a very powerful tool for redevelopment purposes - it is called the real estate market. If the city is interested in purchasing a parcel of land, we need to offer owners a high enough price to entice them to sell. Anything less is tantamount to theft.

To those voters who believe that an individual's rights should not override the public interest, ask yourself whether you would be willing to part with your home or business for a city project. To anyone who has ever been wary of the city assessment of their property, ask yourself if you would be willing to sell your property for a city-assessed price. To those voters who have ever complained about high city taxes, ask yourself how this new Authority would be funded. To anyone who has ever felt that city officials are unresponsive to voters, ask yourself whether a nonelected commission would be any more responsive.

Finally, to those voters who think that redevelopment powers would never be used in their neighborhoods, take the time to look at the city's comprehensive plans for your areas. Clearly, the answer to the question ``Should Virginia Beach activate a Redevelopment Authority?'' is a resounding no.

MICHELLE ALBERT VACHRIS

Virginia Beach, Oct. 28, 1996 by CNB