THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 29, 1995 TAG: 9510270167
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 199 lines
On Oct. 17, Chesapeake's City Council voted to cost the taxpayers about $5 million to gain nothing but their re-election. A drainage ditch that was approved by the Planning Department was denied by the council for the sake of a few votes.
The council had been informed by city staff that because of the need for drainage in that area, if it is not done independently, the ditch will be dug eventually with taxpayers' dollars at a cost of about $3.5 million. Also pending is a $1.2 million lawsuit for the denial of the ditch last year by the same council. A judge had remanded it back to council, only to be denied once again.
The owner of the property has been treated like a criminal by a vocal minority and publicly called a liar and ``a dirtbag'' by the council. It should not be a crime to want to improve your property or profit from it, but it should be a crime to have your tax dollars spent with total disregard of the city's long-term interest.
The one and only vote for the ditch came from Councilman W. Joe Newman. He was the only council member to take the time to visit the site. It seems the other council members were only concerned with re-election, not saving the taxpayers' money.
They need to be held accountable.
J.R. Sherman
Virginia Beach Sources of water
I would like to see printed in The Clipper a current list of Chesapeake City Council members and their sources of water.
How many get salty water? How many get unsalty water? It seems the voters should know these facts before the election in November and for future reference.
You could tell us about City Attorney Ronald S. Hallman and Budget Director Claude A. Wright, too.
Thomas E. Violet
Beauregard Drive Public embarrassment
Just months before an upcoming election, Chesapeake's Vice Mayor Robert T. Nance Jr., is once again grabbing headlines at the expense of a local city official. Nance, employing an often used political strategy, is riding the current wave of what's popular to draw attention to himself. This time the theme is Chesapeake's salty water problem.
Playing to television cameras, Nance publicly embarrassed former City Manager James W. Rein by calling for Rein's dismissal during council's open session.
Certainly, there had to be a better way to seek Rein's removal. if that would indeed solve the city's water problem. However, diplomacy has never been Nance's strong suit, as this scene indicated. To add further insult to Rein, though, as well as weaken Nance's own position, was Nance's failure to detail his solution to Chesapeake's ongoing water problem.
Terry Scott
Jackson Street Liberal mentality
This letter is in response to the letter about requiring bicycle safety helmets from Aldree T. Taylor, chairperson of the Transportation Safety Commission (The Clipper, Oct. 15). She missed the point, as was well illustrated in her letter. I have several questions about her typically liberal Democrat statements (meaning they have no factual foundation, only an emotional base).
How do you pass another law without giving the government more control? How do you pass another law that has to be enforced by police without giving police officials more work? How do you tell parents you have placed a requirement on their children without telling them how to raise their children? How do you tell parents they are required to purchase an item for their children without inflicting an additional financial burden on the parents?
I absolutely support the use of any safety equipment that will protect our children. I support any person on any safety commission that is promoting safety equipment. I would only hope that person would promote the idea of taking the money that would have been spent enacting and enforcing and spend it properly on education and promotion.
God loves us and sent his son, Jesus, to educate us and to provide a wonderful example for us to follow. We are still given the choice of whether to follow. I love my children very much, and I have taught them to the best of my abilities and am doing my best to provide a good example for them to follow. My responsibility ends there. I cannot and will not dictate how they will turn out or whether they will go against my teaching and advice and injure themselves.
Jerry Lipham
Waters Road Farrakhan's faith
I am perturbed with the National Baptist Convention and local pastors who admonished our black men not to attend the Million Man March in Washington, D.C.
Your fear of Louis Farrakhan's control or power stopped many of you from praying for the safety of these young men on the march. These are the same pastors who do not open their doors to our young men and children in trouble.
Our children are hurting. You have not reached out to our children. I have heard many of you say that you fear them. I have heard you call them ``hoods'' and ``thugs.'' You have used the excuse that the ones you reach will reach the ones in trouble. You have not reached enough young men to reach the others. You did not go forth to teach the faith needed for salvation and healing.
You say that your people are getting away from God. This is not so. Many of our people are getting away from the teachings of the Baptist Church, which idolizes money and competes to see who can hold the most expensive, largest church. These pastors also compete to see who can receive the highest salary from their congregation. You do this while ignoring the slums surrounding your church.
Your faithful members, on whom you rely, will not speak to or help a poorly dressed person and turn their respective noses up at those who do not attend church. You have preached the negative message of condemnation, which your congregation wanted to hear for so long. This type of behavior perpetuates the disunity that plagues our race. If this is what you accept and teach, you are part of the problem, not the solution.
I truly believe God intended his shepherds to go out among all his people, as he did when he went among the outcast and lepers, not turn their backs on them.
Farrakhan has given over a million men as much faith as a grain of a mustard seed. He has given direction and hope. Now that Farrakhan has led the way, I plead to you, rather than spend the negative energy attacking his motives, use the positive time to help our men go in the direction of the message.
Hettie Bailey
Drawbridge Drive Funds restored to 4-H
I would like to personally thank Del. Billy Moore, 79th District, for co-sponsoring the amendment to the budget which restored financial funds to the Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension and Agricultural Experiment Station that directly affects our local 4-H programs.
As an adult volunteer, and a leader of the Western Branch Horse and Pony 4-H Club, I know, first hand, how important these programs are to the children in our community. Our 4-H programs teach children ``hands on'' about nutrition, marine science, anatomy and veterinary care, with emphasis on horses, and overall environmental education.
Del. Moore has given us a helping hand by protecting and preserving our educational programs for our children, especially for our underprivileged kids who otherwise might not receive the opportunities the 4-H programs offer. With the continuance of state funding, we are able to give our children the opportunity to open their minds to new ideas, learn leadership qualities, and develop their self-esteem, making them better citizens and bringing us a better community.
Katrina Clinton
Bamboo Road Deserve the best
I am writing in support of Lillie M. ``Lil'' Hart for clerk of the Circuit Court.
I have known Lil for many years. I know her for her intense devotion to her church. I know her for her intense devotion to Chesapeake by her support of the many civic activities in which she is involved. I know her for her intense desire to help the citizens who come into her office. But more than the above, I know her for the legal expertise that she has which is so important in the administration of the clerk's office.
I feel that it is not possible to serve efficiently as the clerk of the Circuit Court without some legal experience. Lil Hart has that experience!
Let's join together and re-elect Lil as our Circuit Court clerk. We deserve the best!
N. Duval Flora
Bonsack Court Kept his promises
Voters are bombarded with promises and inducements for support during political campaigns which are often forgotten after the election.
Del. Billy Moore remembers his commitments to the people in the 79th District, which he serves. For years he has kept his promises and protected the interests of his constituents without regard for their political affiliation.
I had the opportunity to observe Billy Moore and work with him as he fought to protect our area from further expansion of Craney Island. Without his careful attention to this issue, we would be facing decline in our environment, property values and quality of life.
Billy's bipartisan approach to problem-solving and attention to constituents' needs set him apart as a true public servant.
I urge the voters of the 79th District to look beyond party lines and support Billy Moore in his election, as he has ably supported us.
Peter Eustis
Poplar Hill Road Why changes
Many citizens are unaware of the magnitude of duties overseen by the clerk of court. This office records deeds conveying Chesapeake property, handles criminal and civil litigation, issues marriage licenses, handles divorces, safeguards historic land records pre-dating the Civil War, selects jurors and is computer-linked to the Virginia Supreme Court.
Lil Hart, with a staff of more than 28 employees, has for the past 10 years run an office, working hand-in-hand with the citizens of Chesapeake and the legal community. Lil Hart and those working with her have constantly adjusted to the newest trends in computerization and upgraded procedures.
Change for the sake of change will not be productive for Chesapeake. Change is only desirable if it improves a situation. I cast my vote for experience, for Lil Hart.
Jane H. Seaborn
Robert Street by CNB