Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-02
Counties Clash
With City Unit
0nAnnexatiOn
Referendu Urged
And Opposed at
Richmond Hearing
BY BRIAN KELLY
star staff Writer

Star Staff Writer
RICHMOND, Mar. 2.-"City
folks" and county folks" from
Northern Virginia reflected a
Statewide pattern here yester-
day in the split points Of view
aired In a public hearing on
annexation before the Virginia
Advisory Legislative Councils
Special Committee on Annexa-
ton and Consolidation.
Speaking for the County
League, field consultant George
Long renewed his groups plea
for referenda, instead of court
proceedings, to settle annexa-
ton proposals.
Would Clarity Necessity"
However, assuming the ques-
ton Of annexation will con-
tinue to be settled by the
courts, he said. more stringent
standards on the necessity to
annex" should be spelled out
by the General Assembly and
obligations Of cities to an
nexed areas clarified.
Countering with a lengthy
defense Of annexation in prin-
ciple, j. s. Livesay. jr., former
Portsmouth city attorney, on
behalf Of the Municipal League
rejected the referenda proposal
but suggested several technical
changes in Virginia's annexa-
ton statutes.
The county group also pro-
posed legislation enabling ur-
ban counties to adopt charter
forms of government.
Two Fairfax supervisors,
three officials from the town
Of Vienna, the Alexandria
city attorney, and representa-
tives from the Fairfax Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations
and the County League of
Women Voters were among 81
persons who testified.
Supervisors Chairman A.
Claiborne Leigh said Fairfax
County's future planning would
be greatly disrupted" if the
county is left vulnerable to
augmentation" by land-hun-
CRY municipalities.
He denied that Fairfax Of
ficials are seeking a super
city," but said I'VE want pro-
lection" Fellow supervisor
Anne wilkins earlier had pro-
posed q charter form Of govern
ment for highly urbanized
counties.
On behalf of Vienna. Town
Councilman Alvin w. Nor
cross said small urban areas
within a large diverse county
such as Fairfax should be al
lowed to follow their own in
terests.
His view was supported by
Paul H. Heubusch. town at
torney, who added: There is
a growing feeling Gin Northern
Virginia) that what Is big, is
good and what is small, is not
good" Also, he declared. "frag-
mentationl fis becoming q
sort Of dirty word
v. Floyd Williams, city attor-
ney for Alexandria, charged
that the County Leagues pro-
posed annexation restrictions
would make such moves Tim
possible" and not just more
difficult.
Charter Sought
For the Fairfax Citizens
Federation, Oliver Johnson
called for special legislation
giving Fairfax a charter; a full
time political head" elected by
the people; countrywide cleo
ton Of supervisors; local con-
troll over road construction and
maintenance, and protection
against augmentation"
Appearing for the Fairfax
Women Voters. league presi-
dent Mrs. Edward p. Snyder
supported protection against
fragmenting annexation moves.
and local control over roads.
The study committee, headed
by Delegates Edward M. Hud-
gins Of Chesterfield and Lewis
A. McMurran. jr., Of Newport
News, indicated yesterday it
would accept an invitation
from Mr.. Leigh to visit North
ern Virginia for a first-hand
look at development problems
there.