THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 17, 1996 TAG: 9603150221
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
The Virginia Beach city schools budget problems has become an emotional and political hot potato. Over the years the School Board has debated funding with City Council, asked for realistic funding, been given less, and even then the ``overflow'' was returned to city coffers instead of being invested in our children's future.
Our schools have continually, in spite of this minimum budgeting, produced able citizens ready to meet the demands of college, technical schools, and a variety of occupations here and elsewhere. Honors bestowed on our community and schools have placed Virginia Beach in great standing among Tidewater, Virginia, and U.S. cities. Many sources, including the real estate industry, rate Virginia Beach as an ``A+'' place to live and go to school.
When will those who decide what to spend on our schools realize that to keep the quality up we need to keep the funding appropriate? Teachers continue working hard for the children. Every year they are told, ``It's a tough year for money.'' We can't continually run ``A+'' schools on a ``D'' budget. Let's give our schools the ``A+'' support, financial and otherwise, necessary to maintain our ``A+'' rating!
Nancy Wagner
Red Mill Elementary
Virginia Beach ranks in the top 10 in the state in per-capita income, and therefore, ability to pay for municipal needs. There can be no doubt that we live in a very affluent community. Why then is Virginia Beach in the bottom 10 statewide in per-pupil expenditures? Would we have the problems we have now if our school system was funded properly?
Also, my hat is off to Mr. Tim Jackson. Leaders don't quit and run when things get tough, nor should they be allowed to. The intimidation and character attacks of the grand jury are shameful. This essentially volunteer board was hoodwinked by experts who, I believe, knew exactly the nature of the misrepresentations they made to the board. The school board we elected shared the endorsement of the Virginia Beach Education Association, and certain other groups were unhappy when their political agendas were not advanced by this board. I would be interested to know what political agendas the members of the grand jury have.
David A. Howard
Virginia Beach Gambling must be curbed
Re-elect Mayor Oberndorf? NO!
I have tried many times to meet with her to no avail.
I contacted the mental health department who put me in contact with substance abuse who promised that someone would get back to me that also never happened.
I will suggest to my many followers not to vote for another term for the mayor!
It appears to me she does not have the best interests of all the citizens of Virginia Beach.
For years I have worked with compulsive gamblers, who suffer from an insidious, baffling disease that many people do no understand. Some of these people need to speak with a qualified therapist.
Gambling is on the rise throughout the country and starting to show in the Hampton Roads area. Colonial Downs, the new off track betting office opened less than a month, has already caused problems for a few.
I am outraged to have learned they allow children in. Someone reported to me a 6-year-old boy with his father and an 8-year-old girl with her mother. To let in a young child in a gambling place where liquor is served, I am appalled.
Harvey Markman
Virginia Beach by CNB