Deirdre Fernandes
The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
For the first time, a clear majority of City Council members are in favor of a referendum on a possible light rail project here.
The previously murky issue was clarified when Councilman Jim Wood, a previous opponent of a referendum, recently switched positions, citing cost overruns in the Norfolk Tide project managed by Hampton Roads Transit.
"There is some public angst about the management of the organization, although it's improved," said Wood, HRT's former chairman. "I think a referendum is inevitable."
Light rail failed in a 1999 referendum, 54 percent to 46 percent,
and some Virginia Beach officials blamed a lack of organized support for that vote.
The council members who support a new referendum are Vice Mayor Louis Jones, Wood, Mayor Will Sessoms, Bill DeSteph, Bob Dyer and Harry Diezel. Rita Sweet Bellitto, Barbara Henley, Rosemary Wilson and John Uhrin said they will wait for the results of an ongoing light rail feasibility study, expected to be completed next year, before making a decision. Councilman Glenn Davis is against a referendum. The earliest that light rail could appear on the ballot is November 2011. Any referendum would be advisory; the City Council would make the final decision.
Because five City Council members, including Wood, face challenges in November, the council's make up and stance could change. Light rail proved a potent political issue in May when voters ousted longtime Norfolk Councilman and light rail supporter W. Randy Wright.
The referendum momentum comes on the heels of a resident's failed effort to get light rail on the ballot in November. Wally Erb, who is running for an at-large seat on the City Council, managed to collect about 1,000 of the 25,000 signatures needed for a referendum.
The lackluster effort does not necessarily mean the public opposes a referendum, Erb and some council members said.
"It would be hard for us not to have one," Jones said. "It would be a slight to the public."
Business leaders, environmentalists and civic groups recently formed Light Rail Now, a coalition to build support for light rail.
"Our objective is to demonstrate that there is such strong support that a referendum is unnecessary," said Mike Barrett, chairman of Virginia Beach Vision, a business and civic group that is part of Light Rail Now.
The group is preparing to counter anti-light-rail messages. "There seems to be some small but vocal opposition to it, and we want to get out in front and advocate for it," said Steve Davis, a Light Rail Now board member and attorney.
"We have a serious quality-of-life and economic-vitality issue with the current state of transportation in Hampton Roads," he said. "We can't pave our way out of the problem, and public transportation is a reality in most successful regions."
John Moss, chairman of the Virginia Beach Taxpayer Alliance and an at-large candidate for the City Council, said a referendum is needed, especially since voters rejected it once before.
"If they have such a strong case, why are they afraid of the voters?" Moss said of the new advocacy group. "The real issue we face is, you just can't talk about what light rail does, you have to talk about it, what it costs and who pays for it, and do the benefits match the investment? My issue from D ay O ne has been: 'S how me the business case.' "
Glenn Davis said t he city should hold town hall meetings, but that council members need to make the final decision. He said Erb's failed petition drive shows that the public is not interested in voting on the issue.
"It was a referendum on whether to have a referendum," he said. "I believe the citizens have spoken."
Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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Four Strikes and you're out Mike Barrett
Mike, you need to do your homework before you "cross examine" others folks opinions. First and foremost, light-rail across the country is not what you say it it. Many states have stated how much it cost and the overruns as we're experincing here. There has been numerous reports of crime, mechanical problems (which we know will occur) and more importantly it did "not" reduce the traffic congestion across these States. So please do all of a favor and get your facts straight.
Also, we all know who is in this for the $$. Yes, you are one of the Fab Four and/or Five who believe they know what's best for us, the citizens of Va. Beach. Keith and others are correct, but what bothers you is if/when someone disagrees with you.
If you do not like our opinions then do all of us a favor and do not post a blog/comment. We are entitled to a referendum and I read the majority of the council are too. Of course we all know why because many of them are up for re-election. There are two (2) members on the board who have never swayed from their original thoughts about light-rail. They are; Vice Mayor Jones and Councilman Bill DeSteph. Look it up Mike and you will find the facts.
Al, developers like
Al, developers like Runnymeade, Armada Hoffler, and Bruce Thompson don't care about aging neighboorhoods and frankly neither did most on city council. Burton Station is a perfect example of that. The mere fact that VB allowed this neighborhood to be without access to city water and sewage as a means to rid these people of their property so that the former can take over. Light rail is a money-making boondoggle for these folks at the expense of the rest of us. Follow the money. Light rail is in 'their' interest more so than any public interest. Just like with the SportsPlex, build it and they will come...ONCE. Light rail will be the same. Unsustainable.
Four strikes, you're out!
Keith, you are as out of touch as is AL; are you a member of the VBTA as well? First, improvements in existing neighborhoods continue every day; just look at the CIP and count them. Second, water, sewer, and storm drainage are now in progress in Burton Station, despite what you have said. Third, light rail has been sucessful across the country, bringing increased mobility to urban areas in a cost effective manner, and in every case, has stimulated transit oriented development around the stations in amounts estimated to be eight (8) times the cost of the construction. Last, the Sportsplex has been very successful with some 450 events held there already this year. But from listening to your diatribe, you have probably not gotteen out of your recliner to actually visit the facility, so how would you know?
Not quite.
On the contrary Mike, I am not out of touch. No, I am not a member of the VBTA, but I agree with them most of the time. I still think they do a great job exposing wasteful spending in VB. Water and sewage should have been in place for Burton Station 30 years ago; The only reason they are getting anything now is that the VA legislature cracked the whip on seizure of private property for the likes of you and those in your business. Now you have to negotiate rather than back-door seizure. Light rail has been a mismanaged boondoggle and the board on HRT has a rubberband for a spine. Light rail will be a financial albatross on the city of Norfolk and Virginia Beach. The Sportsplex was also a financial drain on the city budget just in maintenance. The city needs to sell it and let it be someone elses heartburn. Like the private sector for instance.
Experts who study Light rail have reported that
light rail cannot cover their operating costs with passenger revenue and as such, fares may have to be tripled in order for a transit system to cover their operating costs. It is important to acknowledge that raising fares to a higher level would also reduce ridership. Basically, we would have to identify how much of a subsidy our tax burdened residents would have to support? Ligh rail advocates fail to ever address this vital issue. , However, it should not stop there. Strategic Growth Areas are being promoted without discussing any funding mechanism. One way to assure that there will not be any over the top subsidies is to establish policies whereas developers will need to absorb the necessary cost of all components of an infrastructure including the traditional manner of paying for utilities, garages, or any amenities associated with each developers project. Finally, no investment should occur until a program exists to revitalize all 985 aging neighborhoods which we all no should have occured & is LONG overdue!
AL, HOW DO WE JOIN YOUR ORGANIZATION???
How do we join your organization? Mike Bamboozle said you were losing members, so I want to join, no matter what the costs. Until I join, please talk about what the Council Speaker is talking about here. He mentioned increase in property values and tax base for businesses, but he does not discuss all the tax breaks they get. Anyways, Keep up the good work. Who are you going to replace on the Virginia Bamboozle Council? I shure would like to call it Virginia Beach Council once again.
More ideology from the VBTA
Al, more discredited baloney from the VBTA. Where have you guys been? Water, sewer, and road work continues in the oldest neighborhoods in the city, setting the precedent for the same work in newer neighborhoods when needed. Stop denying the reality that is there in front of our eyes for all to see. Yes, the local investment in light rail, 20% of the cost or so, will be recouped by the value of new and revitalized commercial property in Virginia Beach just like it has around the country. Now, I know that the VBTA prefers higher taxes to increasing the commercial tax base, but frankly, only a small knot of zealots with the ideological furvor of John Galt seem to prefer hiher taxes to light rail and transit oriented development. No wonder your organization is moribund and the number of members is declining everyday.
Mike, can't you discuss anything
w/o twisting each citizens comments that does not sync with your relentless spin & hype? You spew the same incoherent themes & than seem put off when you don't receive any traction from many contributors. I simply stated that light rail would have to be significantly subsidized & you simply ignore the massive financial implications. Fact is a small portion of our citizens will use light rail but the vast majority of taxpayers will pay for it. Subsidies for auto are clearly more efficient because the vast preponderance of people who pay gas taxes and other fees also use our highways. Water, sewer, curb to curb repaving, greenscapes is desperately needed yesterday in MOST of the 987 aging neighborhoods! All past & current revitalization appears to take place within the same areas that support special interest while the primary taxpayer in this City foots the cost. The resort area has almost received more financial upgrades than the rest of this City combined and they only represent about 2% of the real estate tax base. That market share has not changed in decades but more important the residents have literally become the sacrificial lamb. There ROI directed to upgrade the infr
Less than 10% of the vote
Earth to Al, a small portion of taxpayers use airports but we all help to pay for them. I hardly ever use the midtown tunnel, but I helped to pay for it. I never use port facilities, but I helped to pay for it and benefit from its presence. Fact is, we invest in public infrastructure so it stimulates private economic development that provides jobs and taxes and keeps our tax rates as low as possible. In the case of the Beach, we have the lowest tax rate in the region, the best services, infrastructure like the Contemporarry Art Center of Virginia, the Sandler Center, the V.B. Amphitheater, the Virginia Aquarium, the V.B. Convention Center, a library system citizens from other cities come to use, and an oceanfront resort that people come from around the world to use. Of course, you are your brethren at the moribund VBTA use these facilities like the rest of us, but still complain. I bet this time you get less than 10% of the vote, which is more than you deserve.
Cant you discuss anything w/o twisting facts. . continued
That market share has not changed in decades but more important the residents have literally become the sacrificial lamb. There ROI directed to upgrade the massive and aging residential infrastructure is virtually non existent.