THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 4, 1996 TAG: 9611020016
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 33 lines
I read Chesapeake Mayor Ward's defense of the Convention Center project (Another View, Oct. 16) and find it most disingenuous. How would the mayor know that the Convention Center is a ``much needed and desirable public amenity''? He certainly didn't allow the public an adequate opportunity to review and comment on the $10 million facility before raising our taxes to the tune of $900,000 per year.
I think the mayor protests too much. Face it, a bad deal is a bad deal. Over $900,000 per year for 30 years is ridiculous for a $10 million facility. Also, paying $1.2 million for property valued at $600,000 one year ago is a bad deal, too.
Oh, I forgot, the highest and best use for the property just changed yesterday. Maybe tomorrow the highest and best use for the property will be as a used-car lot. The bidding was proper? How could you get the lowest price for the facility? You only received one proposal. How many construction firms are in Chesapeake, Hampton Roads, Virginia or these United States?
This is just one reason why the Chesapeake Council of Civic Organizations (CCCO) will distribute a petition requesting a charter change for the city of Chesapeake to enable the citizens to hold an advisory referendum on issues of public importance.
This Nov. 5, during the presidential election, volunteers will be working at polling places collecting signatures for the charter-change petition. We need help. Anyone wishing to volunteer, may call the CCCO at 547-8885.
BRIAN K. WHITESELL
Chesapeake, Oct. 17, 1996 by CNB