THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 18, 1995 TAG: 9508180582
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
A few days ago my wife said she was on the beach at Croatan around 4:30 p.m. A few other people were spread out down the beach but it was almost empty. Two long-haired surfers on longboards with leashes were surfing what small waves were to be had, nowhere near anybody so as to cause concern.
Suddenly a policeman on a scooter gave them tickets.
Just after the policeman left, jet skiers came roaring into the section of beach, endangering the swimmers that were now in the water.
It seems the surfers were singled out for some unfair attention. Was it that the guys with motors did not like the guys without or was it the long hair? Hopefully it was just ri-dic-u-lous.
Les Shaw
Virginia Beach Harsh rule taught grad a `valuable lesson'
In response to ``Harsh school rule ruins grad day'' (letter, Beacon, July 28), the school and the principal taught the student a valuable lesson. When our children see us, their parents, follow the rules and laws of the community, meet our obligations, fulfill our promises, and be honest in our dealings, they will follow in our footsteps. It does not matter why a student missed graduation rehearsal; she will learn to accept her obligations re-spon-si-bly.
Todd A. Williamson
South Independence Boulevard 'If this council will not listen' to police, 'then it's time to make a change'
I am a lifetime resident of Virginia Beach and do not plan to live anyplace else. I have been a police officer since 1986, first as an auxiliary oficer and now as a paid officer. I am a single parent with one son. So the issue of my pay is very important to my family and me.
I have for the past few years watched and listened to City Council plan and promise to raise our pay. It would seem that whenever a new project comes up we can always find the money for it.
A market survey was done to compare us to other cities' police and showed we are far behind. Our city manager says that the police cannot get a pay raise unless the whole city does. I can understand how he feels on this issue. I believe that all city employees do deserve a better pay scale. Why, then, if Mr. Spore truly feels that no city employee should get any raises until it can be worked out for all, do he and three other top officials take their raises immediately?
As for the members of City Council, they have chosen not to talk to us about the issue. The mayor also seems deaf to us. She has made statements to the press that show she is not the caring person that she has for so long tried to display to the public. We as police officers have become very frustrated by the whole thing.
Vice Mayor Sessoms has also gotten into the act. He said that in order to give the police raises, other city employees would not get one. Again, the issue of ``Where will the money come from?'' arises. Council was able to find enough money for the proposed amphitheater and Christ-mas lights on the Boardwalk but not for its employees.
Some of our newest members of council campaigned on the issue of more police officers, the take-home car program and other issues the citizens of Virginia Beach felt were important. Thus, with the support of the police department and the citizens, they were elected. Now they have forgotten those promises and are deaf to the the issues. Morale among police offices and all city employees is very low because of this issue. We cannot understand why our elected officials choose not to work on the real problems.
Maybe with citizens' support during this upcoming election year, changes will be made. The citizens know that in order to keep Virginia Beach the safe place it is to live in and visit, we need more officers. In order to get more officers and keep the good ones we have, the pay issue must be dealt with and resolved. If this Council will not listen, then it's time to make a change.
I call to the citizens of Virginia Beach to listen to the issues, to become informed, to watch the members of City Council and take notice how they vote. If council does not wish to listen to us, then remember when it comes time to vote. Get out and talk to your neighbors about the issues. Let City Council know how you feel. Together we can make things work and keep Virginia Beach the safe place that it is to raise our families.
Michael R. Stark
Jester Court by CNB