THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 7, 1996 TAG: 9607040187
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 94 lines
I have heard a lot of people say that they would not have the job of city councilman for any amount of money. Most people understand that the job is very thankless.
I am grateful that we have good people who will take their personal time to devote to the greater good for all citizens of Chesapeake. At their former salary, it almost amounted to volunteer work, considering the number of projects, meetings, charitable events and social work that is required of them.
I have met several members of the council at city events and have seen how they could put in over 40 hours a week on city business.
While on some occasions I will disagree with the decisions made by the council (this is true anywhere), they have taken the time to study the issues and know that sometimes tough decisions have to be made. They don't hear it enough: Thank you.
The job of city council member should not go to just anyone. It should go to individuals who have the education and experience to do the job correctly.
It would be a poor employer who would always criticize his employees and not give them a raise for more than 10 years. I don't believe any critics could do a better job.
Council, now that you have your raise, keep up the good work and help lead our city to a brighter future.
Lee F. Neagle
Draughon Road Lack of communication
In case some readers of The Clipper missed the hilarious joke that appeared Sunday, June 23 on page B2 of the Metro News section of The Virginian-Pilot, it is repeated here:
``Mayor William E. Ward is talking about opening the line of communications between the city and its citizens.''
Mayor Ward seldom replies to letters and phone calls from citizens seeking information about city business.
I've been waiting since May 21 to hear from him the answers to two simple questions: Who put a padlocked steel gate across a public street - Deepwater Drive - in Inland Colony? And why?
He has yet to realize he is a public servant, although he is surely anxious to spend the public's money on a raise for himself. Perhaps he can use some of his $25,000 salary to hire a secretary to handle his correspondence.
Carl Cahill
Old Drive Dog control
I live in Woodbrier Estates. Behind my house is a wooded area full of wildlife. One of my pleasures is being able to sit on my deck in the morning with my newspaper and coffee, listening to and watching the wildlife.
Lately, that peaceful surrounding has been disrupted by the noise of a bunch of dogs. This was annoying, but not to the extent that I would have complained. That changed the morning of June 29. As I was relaxing on my deck with my newspaper and coffee, a female dog wandered out of the woods and laid down on my deck. The dog was badly injured. The dog had no intention of moving. I called animal control, thinking that a response would be at the minimum a long wait.
I was wrong. Animal Control arrived swiftly. Animal Control Officer Tobin handled the situation with a professionalism and compassion for the dogs that was above what I had expected. I also stated that another dog was running around the neighborhood; the dog looked like this one and had a number painted on it. I told her that barking from the woods was becoming a nuisance. She said she would try to find the other dog and check out the barking.
Sunday, June 30, I walked out on my deck and the noise coming from the woods was too much to bear. I called city police and requested help. The dispatcher told me that Animal Control would be notified. Later, the dispatcher called back and said that Animal Control was looking into the problem.
Later, I drove over to the area where the noise was coming from. Officers Tobin and Johnson were there. What they found was deplorable. Some hunt club had set up an area for their hunting dogs. I could tell that the officers were affected by the scene. I hope that something will be done to rid this area of the dog kennel. Hopefully, I can go back to hearing the peaceful sounds of wildlife in the woods, not from the dog kennel.
I would like to thank officers Tobin and Johnson for their concern. These city employees are the type that I hope I have to deal with when a problem needs attention. They are a credit to their jobs, the city and themselves.
Jerry Hughes
Crystalwood Circle Upholding decency
What a crying shame that the same government that says audible prayer in our schools is out also says indecency on the internet is OK. Even Disney is condoning movies with adult themes and language.
All in the name of the right to free speech. How about common decency? How about protecting our children from the evil in this world and showing them a better way?
Trudy J. Weatherington
Cranston Drive by CNB