DATE: Sunday, June 1, 1997                  TAG: 9705300242

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 20   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letters 

                                            LENGTH:  146 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - SUFFOLK

On June 10, citizens of the 76th District of the House of Delegates will decide their party's candidate for the November election. One Republican and one Democrat will be chosen to run against each other.

My vote will go to Betty Jolly ``Kitty'' Perkinson, and I hope a majority will agree with me. Kitty has been a Republican and good friend for many years. Many times, she is quiet. But when the occasion arises, she can be heard like a clap of thunder.

Kitty is a professional teacher, not a professional politician, and she wants to represent the people in Richmond. She will not try to bring Richmond's choices to us but to take our choices to the state government. She believes, as I do, that people are responsible for their own actions, and that the primary duty of state and federal government is to help educate, defend us and maintain our highways.

All parts of the district - Deep Creek, Suffolk and Isle of Wight County - suffer from lack of funds to educate our children. The only other viable choice on the Republican ticket (S. Chris Jones) is not a Republican and just voted from his seat on Suffolk City Council to cut the proposed school budget $1.3 million. This was done after a public hearing in which many residents encouraged adoption of the school budget as presented by the School Board.

I encourage all citizens who intend to vote Republican to examine closely the ideas and records of all candidates. If you believe, as I do, that a first-class education system, lower crime rates and jobs created by economic development are what we need in the 76th District, I believe you will agree with me and vote for Betty Jolly ``Kitty'' Perkinson on June 10.

Boyd Quate

Holland Road

Suffolk She has found caring, competence at Lakeview

I write this after reading a letter to the editor some months ago regarding the current state of medical care in general and that of the Suffolk Lakeview Medical Center in particular.

I must say that I have had my doubts about five-minute appointments and quality of care in the past, but I felt compelled to write about the other side of the coin.

I have been under the direct care of Dr. Jeffrey Forman of the Lakeview internal medicine group for a chronic, terminal illness since January, and can only sing praises for his care and the treatment of the entire staff in internal medicine.

There has never been a time, when I called in, that my problem or concern was not handled in a professional manner, and Dr. Forman has shown a great amount of interest, problem-solving skills, warmth and compassion in his care.

I have never felt rushed into the office for a two-minute question and answer session, followed by a three-minute exam, which seemed to be the way the new HMO, PPO, etc. system was heading.

I have never seen Dr. Forman surreptitiously sneak a look at his watch, even in the face of what probably seemed like a million questions. He has shown up at my hospital bedside at 9:30 at night, pulled up a chair and really talked with me during some of my worst times. Although he is a young physician, he practices medicine in the ``old'' way, giving his patients the best of care, concern and empathy and the most valuable commodity, his time.

In a time when it is so easy to have complaints and feel lost in ``the system,'' this doctor has given me hope, both in where our medical care system is headed, my own physical condition and that maybe, once in a while, a letter to the editor needed to say something positive.

Evelyn Carrell

Gates, N.C. Messages of thanks to a caring community

Sentara Norfolk General's one-thousandth kidney transplant recipient would like to thank all the wonderful people who sent cards, letters, flowers and gifts.

I thank each and every one for being there in my time of need. The cards have helped me through the bad times, and now that I am feeling like my old self again, I want to thank everyone for helping getting me through this. It was no walk in the park for sure, but it was definitely worth it. If any of you ever need anything, and I can do it, I will be glad to help.

There are still so many people out there on dialysis who would love to come off but, for one reason or another, have not been able to do so. If you can donate, you change someone's life forever. It is a gift that keeps on giving. I can't tell you how much better my life has become, due to my son's gift.

Take time to get answers to questions about donating a kidney. You will be surprised just how easy it is to turn someone's life around.

Deborah Dalton

Longstreet Lane

Suffolk

Editor's note: Dalton recently received a kidney from her son.

Warren and I would like to thank all the wonderful people who showed their support for our family.

There are not enough words to express our gratitude to all who cared. It is wonderful to know that there are so many compassionate and supportive people out there.

A special thanks to all the guys who were there for Evan through it all. You showed the true meaning of friendship.

Heather, we are so proud of you. You really came through for Evan and the others. We thank God that no one else was hurt and that Evan was not hurt as seriously as he could have been.

Thank you to the police for their diligence in apprehending the guys who were responsible for the accident and to those who came forward with any information regarding what happened.

Last, but not least, we would like to thank the paramedics who helped Evan and the other boys at the accident and to those who stopped to see if they could help.

Thanks to all of you who touched our lives.

Warren, Lucille

and Evan Spivey

Ferry Point Road

Suffolk

Editor's note: On April 3, a large rock was thrown through the windshield of Evan's car, hitting him in the face. Beware cable thieves

I want the public to know that cable service can be stolen from you if you live in an apartment or duplex. You're paying and others are getting it free.

With all the modern-day computer technology, the cable company should be able to detect when consumers are receiving the service without authorization. The subscriber is the one getting ripped off, and I am tired of it.

When you try to reach the cable company concerning a problem, you get a recording telling you to stay on the line, that a customer representative will get to you as soon as they can and that your call my be taped.

People are getting away with stealing cable with ease, and the bill is getting higher to recover the lost revenue.

I understand why the city is concerned about the complaints against Falcon. We aren't getting what we deserve for our money. Maybe the city should seek another cable company to compete against Falcon.

Geneva B. Hall

Jackson Street

Suffolk A lucky duck family

A middle-aged gentleman with loosened tie is very slowly crossing the opposite lanes of this brutal highway, during the afternoon rush hour May 19 on Military Highway, near Greenbrier Parkway.

He is looking expectantly in my oncoming direction. As I pass, he is nearly to the median, escorting a duck and her half-dozen fuzzy yellow ducklings. Behind me surges the mass of released traffic, obscuring my view. I am left to ponder this moment of compassion.

We're not intentionally cruel with our cars and our way of life but, as a society, we cause untold cruelty and suffering. My heart aches for all the little duck families, and children, who have no advocate.

R.G. Cox Jr.

Starcher Court

Suffolk

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