THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 16, 1996 TAG: 9601160010
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
As a 16-year resident of ``The Curve'' at the corner of Shore Drive and Atlantic Avenue, I am incensed at the possible removal of 300-plus trees along the most beautiful stretch of road in this area.
Why doesn't the city remove the bars and restaurants from the South end? After all, most of the drunks are on their way home from these establishments. Removing the bars makes just as much sense as defoliating Shore Drive.
While we're at it, why doesn't the city remove all of the state park's animal inhabitants? Suppose a hungry creature wanders out to investigate a bit of litter along the roadway and an intoxicated driver swerves too much to avoid it. Are all animals in the park now at fault for the driver's actions? And while we are talking about removing living things from this area of danger, what about ``The Curve's'' human inhabitants? We have done everything short of erecting the Great Wall of China around our properties. We have families. We have small children. Must we fear for their lives every time they walk to the bus stop?
How many times must we call 911 in the middle of the night? How many times do I have to find someone else's child dead in the gutter because he hit the guardrail going too fast? How many times do I have to see dedicated police officers and EMTs shake their heads and walk away?
And how many ``block parties'' will we have this year at our deadly corner while we gather 'round yet another intoxicated driver who has flipped his vehicle . . . and lived? Many more, I'm afraid, as long as we the people blame ``killer trees'' for the problem instead of those who do not take responsibility for their own actions.
NENIE LANGSTON WALLER
Virginia Beach, Jan. 7, 1996 by CNB