Will the Norfolk Light Rail be extended from Newtown Road to the oceanfront? The answer to that question depends on many variables. Those entire variations hinge on whether the public is afforded a referendum, the result of the referendum, and whether the Virginia Beach City Council accepts the result.

Follow up:

A recent unscientific poll held by Pilot on-line resulted in 67 percent of those participating answer yes to “Should Virginia Beach hold a public referendum before proceeding with any further expenditure on light rail?”

If the City Council opts not to offer a referendum, there is no doubt that the new transportation mode will be forthcoming. The costing and operation funding source methodology will be decided upon by a minimum of six individuals. That is a lot of juice.

If a referendum is offered, in all likelihood it will fail. Not because there aren’t sufficient members of the voting populous that think it’s a good idea, but because they aren’t willing to foot the bill. The referendum question won’t read in effect a description of, “Do you want Light Rail?” It will be more on the line of a question that was similar posed to Kansas City voters. It might read something like:

“For the purpose of funding a light rail passenger system running from the city of Norfolk to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront at an area around 17th street, which can ultimately connect to a regional public transportation system, shall the City of Virginia Beach impose a sales tax of 1/4 % under the authority of Section(numerals) of the Code of Virginia, for the purpose of funding capital improvements, and a sales tax of 1/8 % under the authority of Section (numerals), Code of Virginia, both for a period not to exceed 25 years, beginning April 1, 2010, and which may include the retirement of debt under authorized bonded indebtedness?”

Unless the referendum question is deemed painless to the voter, it will go down in flames. Mayor Will Sessoms admits he was mistaken in agreeing to a referendum as a campaign promise. At last look, there were six prospective votes on council to seek answers through referendum. However, two council members are actively seeking higher political office. So the question still remains, will there be a referendum?