THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 19, 1996 TAG: 9605170208
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 254 lines
It was a sunny, breezy, pleasant, spring Saturday morning. Wilson, my 4-year-old, had just started playing a soccer game. He was tripped, fell down, stayed there for a few seconds, got back up, brushed off, and continued playing in the game. In games past, Wil, a sensitive youngster, used to cry if he was hurt a little, but now picks himself right up with barely a breath. I smiled, and commented to another father about how much better he's become at playing the game - a fast learner.
I encountered another former civic league president who had tried to reach me while I was working the night before. I approached her to ask her what she had called about. Livid, her voice breaking in anger, she told me how deeply offended and hurt she was at the article in The Currents.
The article was based on a single interview, and was part of a larger series on Portsmouth Civic Leagues. It was a ``snapshot,'' of sorts, about current things that our civic league has accomplished and things we are working on, having recently re-organized. I told the reporter about some of the recent things that we, as a group, have accomplished. I mentioned how a few years ago the once-great civic league had fallen into something of a malaise and had reorganized itself. I spoke about how proud I was about how, three or four years ago we'd have meetings of just a few people and were sometimes out numbered by the speakers. Now our meetings frequently exceed 30 very active and energetic people. I talked about things I often do: Vision 2005/The Tree Planting Program/The Spring Sweep/our efforts at marketing. . . my first, newspaper interview (they don't like interviewing their own employees), I thought I did okay. After all, everything I said was true and accurate - well, partially.
What I failed to consider is how the people that brought our civic league to it's original greatness years ago would feel in regard to my comments to the malaise that immediately preceded our league's re-organization. These are the people, along with those from two other civic leagues, who about a decade ago, brought us the original Scotts Creek Plan (of which parts of the Vision 2005 addressing our creek are only a recent offshoot). They, similarly, brought us The Leckie Street Fair . . . twice. They also brought us the original Spring Sweep. They tirelessly fought blight, championed issues for us with the city, and organized events for ``fellowship and the common good,'' (as per our bylaws). Everything they did was first class. They set the precedent.
Those past Civic League presidents like Richard and Karen Crawford, Pamela Novy, those of the scores of the long-standing and tenured residents who worked with them . . .those who set in place many things that we still use today . . .and those who's accomplishments make our own seem meager, were lost in the shuffle. And many of them are unhappy, feeling as if they had been forgotten or, worse, maligned. They feel jilted and indignant as if to say, ``What am I, chopped liver?''
They, most definitely, are not. While I spoke a lot during the interview about those currently involved (which hardly got in the small article), I scarcely mentioned those who years ago built our lasting foundation. Admittedly, I was distracted with the dynamics of the interview, which focused on our current reorganization. And I have no idea why. I've recognized these people and their accomplishments before, in both public meetings, in private conversations, and in print. Why did I forget? Perhaps so busy was I, patting the current civic league on the back, I broke my first rule - be humble.
I know from my 15 years experience as a photo-journalist that a ``snapshot'' doesn't always denote ``the whole truth,'' and a point or view can be a provocative and subjective, whether it is with an image or words. I also know that any piece of published information can be interpreted in a number of different and unpredictable ways. I knew all of this, yet I made this mistake. So, of all the folks that are disappointed in the piece, the one that is maddest at me is probably myself.
There is little or nothing that I can do other than become more aware, and make a fast, heartfelt and public apology to those who should never have been forgotten. It isn't enough, though, and I doubt that it will be accepted.
But that's the best I can do. That . . . and learn . . . and pick myself up
There is, after all, a game going on . . .
And, I should point out, we are winning.
Martin Smith-Rodden
West Park View Community League
May 9, 1996 Praise for writer
Belated thanks go to Janie Bryant for the nice article she did on the anniversary of a local garden club last November. Wish we could see more of this type of work.
From this article which touched on adopting beautification projects, I called Paul Forehand with Portsmouth Parks and Recreation and asked if the city could do a job or if he could contact some group to adopt it.
The project I called about was the West Park View entrance sign pole at Peninsula Avenue and London Boulevard. The pole was leaning, the wooden shingle missing and it was most abandoned.
I told Mr. Forehand that this pole had been erected and maintained years ago by the West Park View Garden Club. I felt it justified being refurbished because West Park View has always been a fine neighborhood and it was sort of a tribute to the area and to Lelia J. Triplett, the garden club's founder.
Mr. Forehand was very nice and understood how I felt and assured me he would look into the matter.
Months went by and I saw the pole was straightened and then it was painted. After several weeks, a lovely shingle was hung with ``West Park View'' on it.
After a call, I found that the job was done by the West Park View Civic League, headed by Martin Smith-Rodden.
A special thanks goes to the group for the work involved.
My story has come full circle. Coincidentally, this gentleman lives in Mrs. Triplett's former home. Mrs. Triplett is proud, I'm sure, as her spirit still prevails in Portsmouth and the beautification work she loved.
I wish West Park View Civic League much success in their endeavors. It's so wonderful to see these young men and women working to make their community a better place for the city of Portsmouth.
Cora M. Twiford
Suffolk
April 29, 1996 Thank you, citizens
I wish to thank all of the citizens of Portsmouth who supported me in the recent school board election. I feel that we brought out some points that needed airing, especially that the board must be more accessible to the citizens.
I think we made a very good selection, especially in adding Elizabeth Daniels and David Joyner. They will be exceptional assets to the board. Since they didn't pick me, I am very happy that they picked them.
Finally, I would like to thank two individuals who were of special help to me - Bob Henn and Valerie Barnes. They supported me through thick and thin and I will always be grateful. I also want to thank my wife for letting me out nights to run my mouth.
V.W. ``Vic'' Goodman
School Board candidate
1200 block of Tatem Ave.
May 9, 1996 A prompt response
A letter I wrote to the city manager a few weeks ago really got me results.
I would like to thank City Manager Ronald W. Massie for his prompt attention to my problem at the 3600 block of King Street.
Also, the director of Public Works, Richard Hartman, for his part in solving the sinking of the street at the 3600 block of King Street and all the new drainage pipe and for cleaning and opening up the drainage ditch that takes all of the flood water.
Now, my wife and I can get a good night's sleep without any interruption.
But, most of all, I would like to thank Deputy City Manager C.W. McCoy for his personal visit to my home. We had a long talk and then went out in the neighborhood to discuss the remaining matters. It was really a pleasure talking with him.
I have lived at the 3600 block of King Street for 50 years.
Again, I would like to thank these three gentlemen for a job well done.
R.C. Bagwell
King Street
May 6, 1996 Schools do a good job
We're writing this letter to thank you for the outstanding education your school district, which we feel is often overlooked and underrated, has offered our family since we have lived here. Last August, when our family moved to Portsmouth, we felt that our four children would have to attend private schools.
However, to be fair to the local school district, we first investigated the Portsmouth Public Schools. We were so pleased with what we found that we enrolled all of our children there. At the moment, two of our children attend Hunt-Mapp Middle School Magnet Program, and two attend Churchland Elementary School.
We found Portsmouth teachers and administrators, unlike many teachers and administrators elsewhere, look at each child as an individual and attempt to tailor his learning to his needs. In particular, Mrs. Ridenour at Hunt-Mapp and Dr. Bartlett at Churchland Elementary have made time to answer any questions or address any problems we've had. And Mrs. Hayes, our daughter's strings teacher at Hunt-Mapp, has given her time evenings and weekends to encourage her to attend tryouts for local youth orchestra and participate in concerts.
We have lived a number of different places over the last 15 years, but compared with any of them, we believe Portsmouth has the most caring and dedicated teachers. The efforts of your staff have ensured that our children love school and thrive here. We're very grateful for the assistance and attention of the outstanding teachers and staff working in the Portsmouth schools.
Patricia A. Smith
Terence G. Smith
Norfolk Naval Shipyard
May 8, 1996 Disappointed in Holley
After celebrating Jim Holley's mayoral victory May 7, I was a bit disappointed by his recent comments regarding his plans for beefing up the city's books (Holley's Gleaning, The Virginian-Pilot, May 8). Churches shouldn't be coerced to contribute monetarily to the city. Our churches are not responsible for the deterioration of Portsmouth.
Mayor Gloria O. Webb took Dr. Holley's steadily increasing sales tax receipts and put them in a steady decline since the year she first took office (1996 Portsmouth City Budget). What took eight years to happen will not change overnight.
Dr. Holley should realize this and repeat his business recruiting he did so well when he was mayor.
Holley also said he has ``friends all over the country,'' including President Clinton, from whom he will solicit help to relieve our city's financial problems.
Well, Dr. Holley shouldn't forget his many conservative friends right here in Portsmouth who were sick and tired of Mayor Webb's declining record (tax and spend policies, closed door meetings, and her general distrust for her own constituency), and played a major part in his reelection.
Portsmouth got herself into this mess and she will have to get herself out of it - without some federal bureaucrat dictating the strings that would follow their money here. Economic development is what Portsmouth needs - not federal handouts.
Dr. Holley would be wise to unite the city on certain goals before traversing a very partisan path.
Susan Locke
Ann Street
May 9, 1996 Senior olympian thankful
Thanks to the Great Neck Recreation Center in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Center, City of Portsmouth Mayor's Commission on Aging and the Portsmouth Area Golden Olympians, ``PAGO,'' for inviting me to attend their annual Senior Mini Olympics - Chesapeake's and Portsmouth's first.
A special thanks to the many volunteers and donors to make these events possible. It couldn't be done without them.
Pat J. Alvino
Senior Olympian and PAGO member
May 13, 1996 Nursing's watchdog
I'm writing in response to the article that in last Sunday's newspaper ``Nurses watchdogs.'' When the state comes to the nursing homes, the administrators and the director of nursing and other department heads put pressure on the CNA's. We try to do the best that we can in providing care for the elderly. We aren't responsible for the staff being short especially on the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift. Sometimes there are only two aides on each unit. The department heads are responsible for that.
Now, on another note. As far as the penalities for the facility not being up to code, we are not responsible for that either. When people take it upon themselves and try to find things just by visiting a loved one is not right. There should be credit given to the aides who do their job to the best of their ability.
If you would like to call it being a ``nurses watchdog,'' to each his own.
When the state comes, they don't talk to the aides, they are there to find things that the aides aren't doing right, then the facility gets a citation or gets penalized for it. If the facilities were more organized, there wouldn't be any penalities.
If more relatives took more time to come and visit their loved ones, instead of trying to find discrepancies, like the Bible says, ``. . . Honor thy father and they mother . . . that thy days may be long upon the land which they God giveth thee.'' (Exodus 10:12). This statement goes out to those who just put their parents in a home and leave them there. To some of the residents we are their family because we take care of them and show them a lot of love.
On a final note, the person who wrote that article and used such big words, should have some compassion for the aides who are there and not worry about negative matters. If there is a problem take it up with the department heads.
Denise Robinson
Greenwood Drive
May 14, 1996 by CNB