THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 4, 1996 TAG: 9607030010
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 29 lines
I am outraged about Del. Robert Nelms of Suffolk. How could this man be a representative of people in Suffolk, Isle of Wight County and Chesapeake? I'm not even a resident of Nelms' district, but I still object to his being a state legislator.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of indecent exposure. His statement, read by his attorney, said that he wanted to put the matter behind him.
I would too if I were an elected official and I had been caught doing something questionable in a public park that is known as ``a gathering spot for gay men.'' I would not want the police officer to testify against me or for the facts to come out at all.
All along he had pleaded his innocence. If he was innocent, why didn't he tell the public his side of the story? Keeping quiet just enforces the appearance of guilt.
I can only hope that when re-election time comes around in November 1997, the citizens of Suffolk excuse Delegate Nelms' behavior right out the door and into the unemployment line instead of just from the parks in Richmond. This is a man that I do not want to represent the state of Virginia, and I hope there are many out there who feel the same.
KAREN BAKER
Virginia Beach, June 19, 1996 by CNB