DATE: Sunday, July 27, 1997                 TAG: 9707250208

SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS     PAGE: 04   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:   74 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - PORTSMOUTH

Portside is a diamond in the rough.

I agree with Kathryn Pigg's comments.

With three Elizabeth River ferries, Portside, as a regular stop, should be continued.

Bill Winston

Crawford Parkway

July 16, 1997 Blurry Vision 2005

Vision 2005 is a privileged project gaining reputation, without respect, for the many years it has alienated itself from the taxpayers' eyes. This year, however, Vision 2005 appeared to be a plan in action from the prominent Midtown area. The former Portsmouth Bowl building seems to be getting a face-lift, the Midtown Inn has been bulldozed and the landscaping within the vicinity gives vacant buildings a ``cared-for'' look.

The Midtown area was becoming a good-looking community, until a botched face-lift created astonished second looks when Auto USA appeared on the scene. The landscaped area in front of Auto USA, which taxpayers funded, was uprooted and destroyed. This brash building is unavoidable. (I thought murals were not under code, since another Midtown business's mural had to be removed.)

Speaking of codes, specifically zoning codes, do Portsmouth zoning codes really exist? The only zoning code I've witnessed in full execution for the 30 years I've lived here has been the one that cuts up communities and develops them into ``pinball machines.'' The taxpayers keep putting in the quarters while short-term businesses light up points with the city. Part of the city's ``big jackpot'' foolishly goes to those greedy businesses (and self-interest coalitions) with their hands held out. Those same businesses etc. ride the bus home when they're broke, or their pockets are full.

There are many examples of obscure vision and haphazard planning in Portsmouth's economic development. Several were noted in last Sunday's editorial in the Currents concerning the new High Street Landing welcoming visitors to retail vacancies throughout the High Street corridor. Also, an historical home in Churchland was recently bulldozed to build a road that is no longer needed.

My concern for Portsmouth is that the city sells itself cheap to those who deplete it and the city uses the taxpayers' money to lure them in.

Vision 2005 will be Portsmouth's demise until the city begins to purge itself internally.

V.L. Beecher

Sweetbriar Circle

July 14, 1997 Cursing council

In reference to Ida Kay's comments in the July 13 Currents pertaining to the city's economic development staff, how the landing will open with nothing but empty windows staring back at visitors, and how long will it take for something to happen there.

In my opinion, the answer is a new City Council to replace the self-serving one we have now before they buy and sell more real estate, and a new city economic development staff with the experience and training to get the job done. We need more than just a staff to go along with the status quo.

Out motto should be: ``Waterfront First (including Scotts Creek). Develop, Develop, Develop.''

Just maybe with the additional tax revenue the council can stop raising our service fees to pay for their $5,000 pay raise. The whole mess stinks. The people that we elect to office in the city of Portsmouth seem to forget who they work for after getting elected.

Sheriff Gary Waters has done more for this city and the people to better their lifestyles and to save the city money than other elected officials in the city. Too bad our City Council can't do the same.

My next vote will be for a change.

Charles C. Shepheard

Tarnywood Drive

July 14, 1997

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu