THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 29, 1997 TAG: 9701290002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 55 lines
Over the past couple of weeks, Portsmouth has had good news, more good news and still more good news.
Three front-page Pilot headlines tell the stories:
On Jan. 15: $6 million surplus signals comeback for Portsmouth.
On Sunday: Violent crime falls sharply in Portsmouth.
On Monday: Rediscovering Portsmouth.
The city's $6 million general- fund surplus at the end of 1996 is especially good news because that fund's balance was about zero just three years ago. Things were so bad the school system had to borrow from its cafeteria fund to pay bills.
No one claims Portsmouth is suddenly rich. In fact, 53 percent of its property value is untaxable because it is government- or church-owned.
City Manager Ronald W. Massie said, ``We don't think it is possible to declare victory over the city's fiscal struggles. But this represents a turning of the corner.''
As welcome as the financial news was word that violent crime was 29 percent lower in 1996 than the year before - the first drop in 13 years. In all of 1996, there were only two drug-related murders.
Police Chief Dennis Mook said the biggest change has been increased citizen participation in the war on crime. For example, in the working-class Brighton/Prentis Park area, where violent crime was 44 percent lower in 1996 than in 1995, the neighborhood watch program has about 65 members and a neighborhood patrol car. Mook is assigning officers to neighborhoods, so the residents and officers become familiar with each other. Also, the arrest and prosecution of criminals has been speeded up.
There's a sense in Portsmouth that the criminals are on the defensive. It didn't seem that way a few years back.
Combine a fiscally sound city government with a lower crime rate and you get the third piece of good news, companies and people moving to Portsmouth.
It helps that property values in Portsmouth are comparatively low, since prices elsewhere have mainly risen. At some point, as property declines in relative price, it becomes desirable. That point appears to have been reached in Portsmouth. Last year, 35 businesses announced plans to move to Portsmouth or expand operations there.
Sterling attractions like the Children's Museum of Virginia downtown have drawn people to Portsmouth who might not have visited the city for years out of fear of crime.
People are discovering some lovely neighborhoods like Olde Towne, Waterview, Glensheallah and Sterling Point. People are finding inexpensive houses in Portsmouth. More Portsmouth residents are bragging about their neighborhoods.
Success is a snowball. Get it rolling and it builds. Against tough odds, Portsmouth is rolling. There are many reasons to believe the coming years will be better than the ones just past.