DATE: Tuesday, April 1, 1997                TAG: 9704010008

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  145 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

VIRGINIA BEACH

School budget needs full funding

Your editorial ``Meet their needs'' (March 22) should become the chant of every Virginia Beach citizen. The schools in our city have been underfunded for years.

Each year City Council dances around this fact to the music of ``Blame the School Board'' at the ``Taxes Prom.''

This year's School Board budget is sensitive and sensible. It must be fully funded. Surely we know that quality education cannot be had for a bargain price.

Sally DeBellis

Virginia Beach, March 22, 1997

Good education means prosperity

The March 22 editorial concerning funding for Virginia Beach schoolchildren, ``Meet their needs,'' is right on target. ``Education is essential to the city's economic development,'' the editorial stated.

In a career that spans 35 years, 19 as the Virginia Beach economic development director, I can say with certainty that education is a key ingredient when businesses are looking for a home. First and foremost, companies locate where they have the best opportunity for success and profit. Education is paramount in a location decision; lifestyle is icing on the cake. Companies need workers who have learning skills and ``state of the art'' education.

A fully funded budget will help Virginia Beach achieve the goal of providing our students with the education needed in today's world. And in so doing, it will achieve the city's economic-development goals of attracting high-wage-paying businesses.

A. James DeBellis

Virginia Beach, March 22, 1997

CONCERTS

Gill can thrill

I am writing in response to the March 24 letter about the Vince Gill concert, ``No thrill from Gill concert.'' I have to disagree.

Vince Gill may have looked like he had just come in from a game of basketball, but he was comfortable. His outfit fit his laid-back personality and totally blended in with the stage setup. Not everyone enjoys dressing up every night under those hot lights.

I will admit I was there to see Bryan White, who put on a great show, but I also left a Gill fan!

And please ask the letter writer to forgive those of us who had a good time cheering and screaming. We must have forgotten we are supposed to be as quiet as possible at concerts.

Mary Beth Kisner

Virginia Beach, March 25, 1997

EDUCATION

The world is not flat, but `theory'' is

It was disheartening to see that the Christian community is once again trying to discredit science because they feel it conflicts with the Bible (``Chesapeake board told to teach other theories of life,'' March 25). I also found it disappointing to see someone with a master's degree make a statement like, ``Charles Darwin's theory just doesn't work anymore.'' Clearly, Darwin's idea of natural selection does not explain all species that have existed, nor does it address huge gaps in the evolutionary process. But as a proper theory should, it fits the known facts and enables us to predict occurrences with a reasonable degree of accuracy.

To try to lend credence to position, the Christian community offers up a ``creation theory.'' It is criminal to call this a theory, since it does not come close to fitting the definition of a scientific theory. Darwin observed the facts available to him and developed a hypothesis to explain them. Creationists see a story in the Bible and try to alter or ignore facts that don't fit.

It would be interesting to see if the board will present alternative theories in other academic areas. I would love to attend classes that teach the origin of Earth from the perspective of Greek mythology, a geography professor trying to explain how the Midgard Serpent encircles Earth, an astronomy teacher describing how big Apollo's chariot must be to carry the sun across the sky, or a meteorologist explaining that Thor will be very angry this afternoon and will ride across the sky in his goat-driven chariot to throw thunderbolts.

Although they may not have as much educational value, they would certainly be more entertaining.

Jack Suggs

Portsmouth, March 25, 1997

BUSINESS

Trashy tactics

The recent article featuring Fareed & Co., an advertising agency in Norfolk, has created quite a stir in the local advertising community. John Fareed, who started the company two years ago, admitted in the article that his start-up business tactics included ``researching the competition through their trash.''

As president of another local agency, I feel this information shed a bad light on all ad agencies. At a time when business ethics are under particular scrutiny, it is unfortunate that companies that practice activities like this are portrayed as ``marketing wizards.''

The truth is, most advertising agencies in this and other markets avoid these types of tactics for obtaining information on competitors. We prefer to take the high road and compete with each other based on our qualifications, experience and talents.

James H. Hambright

Virginia Beach, March 27, 1997

FUND RAISING

Use taxes to pay for campaign

Today, much of our time, energy and resources are spent trying to keep campaign financing honest and useful.

Recent events support my long-time suspicions that present methods used to finance the campaigns of our public servants are not working and have led to widespread cynicism and distrust.

Why is it necessary to seek donations from the general public at all? We manage to elect qualified individuals to head our organizations, clubs, civic leagues, etc., without media exposure, expensive dinner affairs and opportunities to hobnob with the rich and famous.

It is generally known that major office-seekers are usually people of means and, in many instances, multimillionaires. Should the working public of modest means fund these ambitions with their hard-earned $5 and $10 donations?

No large contributors support candidates without expecting support from the recipients of their largess that may further their pet projects, usually profit-making.

If, in fact, public funding is necessary to defray the cost of campaigning, I would much rather have a share of my taxes be appropriated for this purpose.

Sol W. Cohen

Virginia Beach, March 21, 1997

HEALTH

All newborns need gentle care

Congratulations to Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters for discovering that premature infants have feelings, both physical and emotional (Daily Break, March 26). It's amazing that this ``discovery'' has just been made by the medical profession. Sensitive parents have long been aware that their premature infants were being subjected to necessary but not always humanely practiced treatments.

If only the medical profession would realize that full-term babies are also sensitive and aware of their surroundings. Bright lights, slaps, suctioning and loud noises are all an assault to brand new babies, as can be the early baths, blood tests and other ``medically necessary'' routines that are the norm during pregnancy and birth today.

Sensitive and gentle entry into the world is possible. I've had gentle births at home and in a hospital with the help of certified nurse midwives. Gentle birth respects the baby and the mother and can happen for all babies when the parents/ consumers demand it.

Larissa Blechman

Virginia Beach, March 26, 1997

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