THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 31, 1997 TAG: 9701300149
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 100 lines
R.D. Brendle was right in the Jan. 24 letter about Cox Cable's rates being on the increase. I have been a resident in this area for more than 20 years and subscribed to Cox Cable for more than 10 of those years.
I have watched the rates rise with no relief. I moved to Chesapeake in 1995 and subscribed to TCI cable for a year before moving back to Virginia Beach this month. TCI's rates were slightly lower and service as impeccable as Cox's.
However, TCI was taken over by Cox, and I'm sure the rates will reflect that change. When I chose to move back to the Beach, I also chose not to give up our hard earned money to a cable conglomerate.
Not that we sold our TVs. With four kids it would be difficult to give up television completely. But reception is nearly impossible without some sort of receiver so I looked into digital satellite systems.
I ended up going through a local company and now I pay less money for more channels, including five HBO channels, for a system that I own instead of the cable company owning my money. In a couple of years when my system is paid off, I'll be paying $16 a year with no rate increase in between or thereafter.
Atkina K. Cherrison
Jan. 24 Play is delightful, language could go
The play, ``Bus Stop,'' at the Little Theatre of Virginia Beach is a delightful alternative to films, videos and television. Live theater, like live music, must be sustained.
Besides being well done and nostalgic, the play is presented in a cozy and comfortable setting at reasonable prices.
One scar: the bus driver's blasphemy. Couldn't he substitute, ``For Pete's sake?''
Harry Jeavons
Jan. 27 People can work together to teach love and respect
I watched the news recently and was appalled at what a gentleman had to say about the proposed group home for boys in Virginia Beach.
We as a society are obligated to help those in need. We complain and fuss about crime and juvenile delinquents, yet we do not feel any responsibility to help or try to change the situation. We complain about the cost of keeping inmates in prison, yet we are unwilling to take any steps to correct the problems.
We sit back and judge people by narrow-minded standards and expect them to respect and go by the laws that are denied to them. Such as being able to choose where they can live and to be treated fairly and not to be prejudged.
People who think that their neighborhood is too good for these kids are wrong. Their neighborhood is not good enough for those kids. Those kids need to be where people care about and respect each other. They need to be where they can learn that for us all to live together and have a happy peaceful life, we must care about each other and give help and support and have positive role models.
If the neighbors are really worried about these kids then why don't they volunteer to help them as big brothers and role models instead of denying them the help and support they need?
I would have no problem with a home like that in my area and I would be there to help and show them that there are people who care and are willing to help them.
This could only produce a better and more productive, caring person and would help to show them that life can be good.
All of them will not be turned around or find their place in this world, but just how many in your neighborhood are going to turn out perfect? Take off your blinders and look around you. How can you show your children how to be good people if you can't be one yourself? How can you expect to live in a good community with people who care about each other if you cannot care about others yourself? How can you deny a child who needs your help and love?
We all need to work together to solve our problems and stop waiting for someone else to do it. Please find it in your hearts to try to make a better world for our kids so they will make a better world for all of us.
Carolyn Niblett
Smithfield More team members deserve recognition
In the tiny section of the small article that sports writer Lee Tolliver devoted to the Virginia Beach Middle School League girl's soccer championship, there were several errors and omissions. He mentioned several players on the winning Lynnhaven team whom he assumed (or was misinformed) were the ``bulk'' of the team's scoring throughout the season.
While these girls did help the team offensively and were outstanding players, the team's true leading scorers were Rebecca McLain (as mentioned in the article) Sara Polina and Tyler Snell, who all racked up points with skill, precision and enthusiasm all season. Megan Durham and Cristin Miller were also two aggressive offensive and defensive standouts and deserve recognition for their contributions to the team.
There were also several outstanding defensive contributors to the team who were omitted from the article, but without whom the championship would not have been possible. Players such as Mary Sue Kutchta, Diane Ebilar, Katie Birdsong, Jamie Todd and Mellisa Futrell consistently prevented opponents from scoring and sent the ball up the field to the offensive players in the championship and throughout the season. Great job ladies.
Let's not leave out a bench full of talented seventh-graders who are patiently awaiting their turn to prove themselves in 1997. Congratulations Lynnhaven, you all did a fantastic job.
C.C. Sullivan
Jan. 19