THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 24, 1997 TAG: 9701240007
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 36 lines
In light of a recent news account and an editorial published in your newspaper, I wish to clarify for you my position on the Lake Gaston pipeline.
I believe this is an issue that has divided Virginia for too long and at too great an expense for all concerned. As I said during my announcement for lieutenant governor, my campaign will be based on the principle of bringing people together to find common-sense solutions to the issues we face in Virginia.
Virginia Beach has a need for water in order to grow, prosper and to ensure that its citizens can live without the daily inconveniences of an inadequate supply of water. So, too, must we ensure that the citizens of Southside Virginia have adequate protection to help ensure their future economic viability.
I believe that Virginia should develop a statewide water policy on the interbasin transfer of water in order to avoid the legal morass that has beset Southside and Virginia Beach for nearly 15 years. This is an issue that will not go away as Virginia continues to grow; and as lieutenant governor, I would welcome the opportunity to be involved in the development of such a policy.
Contrary to your newspaper's editorial, I have sought in the past to find constructive solutions to this issue, and I worked in 1995 to help craft an alternative-settlement proposal that would satisfy the water needs of Virginia Beach and protect Southside Virginia. Indeed, I wrote Governor Allen, even after the Virginia Beach-North Carolina agreement failed, and requested that he continue to work to find a compromise solution.
Let's make adequate water a reality in Virginia Beach, and let's make sure Southside Virginia isn't left behind in the process.
L. F. PAYNE
Charlottesville, Jan. 10, 1997