THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 19, 1996 TAG: 9601180152
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
I have been living in this area for more than 10 years now. I believe that gives me the right to complain this one time.
I am tired of the crying blues that I hear from the people that live in Sandbridge. Did someone force them to live on the waterfront, or did they choose it on their own? Why should we the taxpayers have to pay for the sand that goes right back into the ocean? We the taxpayers have to pay for their bulkheads also.
I would really like to know why we are having to pay for these things. I choose my own house. No, I don't live on the beach although I feel like my yard is a swamp every time it rains. You see I didn't know that the rain water from four other years was going to drain off in my yard. I have the hassle of my grass growing too high because the ground is too wet to cut it, and I have to wait until it dries out. I don't have the government helping me out.
Yes, my problems are small compared to losing a house. But that's one of the problems you face when buying on the beachfront. A friend of mine used to own beachfront property at Sandbridge. He still does own it, if it ever comes back, it's under all that water. The government didn't buy it from him; they didn't even offer. But then that was 30 years ago.
I say if you choose your house then you should take care of all of it. I as well as many of my friends would really like to know why our tax dollars (local or federal) should go to the residents of Sandbridge.
Donna Pohl
Virginia Beach Shopper gets more than she bargained for at shop
While I was shopping for a birthday present for my husband, I decided to stop into a store called Shomier's General Merchandise located on Virginia Beach Boulevard.
After browsing through the store, I found the exact present that my husband wanted.
When I approached the counter to pay for the item, to my surprise they did not accept American Express. The salesman, John, shook my hand and told me that I had an honest face and that he would see me ``payday.''
This astonished me, because in this day of greed and dishonesty, there is someone who still believes in trust.
Susan Szymanski
Virginia Beach Stranded motorist finds friend in helpful stranger
I wish to thank the gentleman who helped me, a complete stranger, to retrieve my spare key to get into my locked car at the Holly Street Barber's Shop. Such generous generosity is something to be thankful for these difficult times.
Herbert W. Ewin
Virginia Beach Shore Drive traffic victims are unfairly characterized
When I read John O. Parmele's letter to the editor in the Dec. 8 Beacon, I knew that I had to respond to it. But, I had to wait for some of the anger to subside.
While my son, Stuart Tracy Drye, died on the section of Shore Drive 1/4 mile west of the Fort Story gate, not the straight section that Mr. Parmele talks about, the whole segment of Shore Drive, from Seashore State Park entrance to Atlantic Avenue stop light, has been under discussion and study for some time.
There have been numerous accidents, many with deaths, on this stretch of highway. Many, but not all of them, have been due to speeding or alcohol. My son's accident was caused by a sudden rain storm, an inexperienced driver (not my son) and hydroplaning.
Mr. Parmele's blanket statement of blame does not address the ``other'' causes of these many accidents. Everyone who knew Tracy and the driver know what the cause of his accident was. This letter is to let everyone else know of the circumstances so that they will not assume that Tracy is not just another ``alcohol'' statistic.
Jerry L. Drye
Norfolk by CNB