THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 27, 1995 TAG: 9507250089
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
Another side of the story
Recent circumstances surrounding the Norfolk Federation of Civic Leagues and its leadership have caused plenty of controversy.
I have read the news accounts and I have received the knee-jerk letter of resignation and then the letter of reconsideration from Bev Sell, the corresponding secretary of the federation.
Having been present at this meeting where, according to the press, Jim Janata was ``forced to resign,'' and according to the corresponding secretary Jim was ``publicly assassinated,'' I must say that these people were either at a different meeting or not paying attention.
First of all, neither Jim Janata nor Eloise LaBeau presided over this meeting, and the 28 civic league representatives attending did not allow either one of them to ``orchestrate'' anything.
Jim Janata was given an opportunity to admit that he had overstepped his authority but refused to do so, even in an atmosphere where it was blatantly obvious that most in attendance thought he had violated the federation bylaws. Also, there was a motion on the floor to keep Jim as president when he announced his resignation and stormed out of the side door.
Clearly, the point was missed that no matter what Jim said about the Lake Gaston problems, regionalism or any other subject, he did not have the authority to call a press conference to say anything without the authorization of the federation membership.
This is not the first time that a federation president has been replaced because of actions that violated federation bylaws.
This should be a clear and powerful message to the membership and to city leaders that the Norfolk Federation of Civic Leagues has a solid and competent membership that requires its leadership to carry their collective messages, not a leadership that acts from personal agendas.
H. Thomas White, president
River Forest Shores, Wayside Manor,
Easton Place Civic League
Truly Norfolk's finest
On June 27, my spouse and I were quietly eating supper in an Ocean View restaurant when a red-faced, large-framed male who was inebriated became annoying to dining patrons. The man obviously was looking to start trouble as he came, left and returned in the same threatening manner eyeballing each patron sitting at a table. He claimed to be looking for the speakers for the music playing inside but was told politely that he could hear them better outside. He persisted in eyeballing patrons.
Then, suddenly one, two, three police officers responded by restraining the drunkard and taking him outside to await a unit to escort him downtown to sober up at the Norfolk City Jail. There was an elderly couple and several families that were protected by these brave officers who apprehended their suspect while not endangering any bystanders. Where are the police when you need them? They're out there serving this community and doing a top-notch job! Only one out of 24 people thanked the off-duty officers for going the extra mile to prevent someone from getting hurt.
The Walshes
East Randall Avenue
Ownership questions
On July 2, The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star listed city-owned property downtown. On July 12, the paper reported that the city of Norfolk is buying two downtown buildings, these slated to become part of the proposed MacArthur Mall - a continuing trend of the city, removing property from the tax rolls.
These stories leave me wondering how much property the city of Norfolk now owns, including that in the hands of the NRHA. I am particularly interested in the property in the Ocean View/East Ocean View section. I also would like to know how economists and city planners evaluate a city that has ownership over such a large percentage of its own land.
Basil J. Charleton
Maplewood Avenue by CNB