DATE: Saturday, October 4, 1997             TAG: 9710030014

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:   95 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

CAMPAIGN '97

Vague tax promise

Regarding ``Candidates Respond'' (news, Oct. 1):

Thank you Mr. Gilmore. When you're the governor, you won't raise my taxes and the state will reimburse me for dollars it would have collected from individuals.

If I had a nickel for every campaign promise that vague, you could double my personal property tax and I would happily be able to pay it. Thank you, Mr. Beyer, for answering the question.

James Wallhauser

Virginia Beach, Oct. 1, 1997

NORFOLK

Merchants don't want

more parking tickets

The recently unveiled plan to privatize parking enforcement and collections (news, Sept. 25) is serious cause for concern. At a time when we are encouraging visitors to the city, Norfolk is intent on sending messages guaranteed to warn people away.

Assistant City Manager Iris Jessie cited complaints from downtown merchants as the reason for this change. Sorry, we refuse to once again be blamed for this decision.

Downtown merchants have been steadfast in their attempts to educate and assist customers as to where and how to park to avoid the ever-vigilant meter maids. Many of us validate garage parking to encourage longer stays for shopping and dining in downtown. We prefer Norfolk collect revenues from increased sales of merchandise and food, not punitive fines. Certainly, this desire to increase the number of tickets written is a disturbing one.

We would prefer that parking be more uniform, fines be lower and consistent, parking enforcement personnel more polite, and the overall system be more user-friendly. We support the practice of free parking in downtown on evenings and weekends, such as our neighbor Portsmouth has.

Rather than send messages to keep visitors away, we believe Norfolk should encourage more people to venture downtown to discover our unique offerings.

Marilyn Helms

Executive director

Downtown District Association

Norfolk, Sept. 27, 1997

VIRGINIA BEACH

New soccer complex

no joy for parents

I am very concerned over the new Virginia Beach neighborhood soccer complex. My children have been playing neighborhood soccer for over 10 years now and the new complex has me furious.

Whose idea was it to pay $2 million for a complex with port-a-potties, no paved parking and at least a half-mile walk to the field where your son or daughter plays?

I have always enjoyed and participated in my children's activities but find the 25-minute drive and unkempt facilities quite deplorable. This is in no way my idea of neighborhood soccer.

Christine Carroll

Virginia Beach, Sept. 29, 1997

OCEANA

Quiet golf, noisy

Navy jets don't mix

It's a smart move to develop first-class golf courses to attract tourists and retirees. This approach is a winner for both the area's economic base and quality of life for golf citizens.

However, a conflict arises with the transfer of additional aircraft to Oceana. The noise just doesn't mix well with the quiet game of golf.

Merely play once at a wonderful Oceana course called Aeropines to learn what noise disturbance is ahead for area golf courses.

Once the word spreads via trade publications that planes create a consistent distraction, many new golfers will pass on to other vacation sites. I assume City Council is aware that Myrtle Beach didn't become a true golf mecca until after the military planes pulled out.

John Kerr

Virginia Beach, Sept. 29, 1997

HIGHWAYS

Fancy road signs

a waste of money

How long are we going to drive by those million-dollar cameras on the interstate that are supposed to aid in travel only to see testing 123-123-123-123?

I did notice that one of the new signs read ``Tunnel congested, use an alternate route.'' Wow, bit deal. These warnings already exist on 44, 64 and 264.

So how much does it cost us to maintain a building off Indian River Road with 20 or so people watching cameras that don't help us?

From now on, as you drive past the ingenious contraptions, just wave at the cameras and kiss your hard-warned money goodbye.

Jim Ryan

Virginia Beach, Sept. 29, 1997

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