DATE: Monday, June 9, 1997                  TAG: 9706040021
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  120 lines

LETTERS TO EDITOR -- THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

TERRY ZAHN

Insight gives

peace, understanding

My congratulations to The Virginian-Pilot and especially reporter Debra Gordon for the moving profile of Channel 13 News anchorman Terry Zahn and his battle with cancer.

As a colleague of Terry's at two local stations and a great admirer of his work and talent, it was quite upsetting to hear that he is suffering from this dreaded disease. But his attitude and spirit, artfully depicted in his own series of stories on Channel 13 and in Debra's article, have made his travail one in which we can all share with some level of peace and understanding. Keep going, Terry. We're pulling, and praying, for you.

Joel Rubin

Virginia Beach, June 2, 1997

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Gil Davis riding

on the Jones case

Gil Davis is pushing for the limelight, getting free hourly TV coverage in the news about his representing Paula Jones in her suit against the president. One would think he is the main character in today's top story.

Look out, you other three running for attorney general of the state of Virginia. Mr. Davis not only can outspend you, but he is trying to outsmart you. Maybe the Republican Party can see through his motives and outvote him for one of you who have made a career of working for your party.

Ruth Rainier

Virginia Beach, May 31, 1997

VIRGINIA BEACH

Soccer dad gets a kick

out of column

This is an overdue letter to praise the writing talent of Kerry Dougherty. As a retired ``soccer dad,'' I can empathize with the tongue-in-cheek comments she made about that sport. I was amused at the indignant replies (five letters on May 31) to her obviously satirical lead-in regarding a controversial issue - the construction of a $9 million soccer stadium.

I have to question the bean counters' figure of 30,000 soccer-playing children. That number is more than one-third of all school-age children in Virginia Beach. Assuming 15 players on a roster, that would mean 2,000 teams. That number seems high even if we're talking about the entire Hampton Roads area. Is this a real number or one that's been inflated to promote the new stadium?

After reading the letters, I turned the page and was treated to another Dougherty gem on the new ordinance banning skateboarding year-round east of Pacific Avenue. Once again, her humor was right on.

Lee Mitchell

Virginia Beach, June 1, 1997

EDUCATION

Schools have no right

to paddle children

I am certain that the recent paddling of a student at Tabernacle Baptist School (news, May 30) has attracted the public's attention. I don't know how a school can call itself ``Christian'' and use such disciplinary actions, and then use the Bible to justify it.

Whatever happened to ``train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it'' (Proverbs 22:6)? As a Christian mom, the last thing I would want for my daughter is for her to come home with bruises given to her by a teacher.

In the public school system they do not tolerate students coming to school with welts and bruises given by their parents. So why should the private schools be exempt? I used to think that the private schools were somewhat better than public schools because of smaller class size and the permission to pray.

The public schools are graduating some fairly bright kids and sending them out into the world. They turned out all right for not having to be paddled.

Lynn Stallcop

Chesapeake, May 31, 1997

VIRGINIA BEACH

Dog curbs show city is

barking up the wrong tree

The article ``Beware of Boardwalk: Stricter dog rule sought'' (Daily Break, May 24) indicated that dogs are not welcome in public at the Oceanfront. Shame on you, Ms. Mayor and City Council, for letting Barbara Messner influence your decisions. Why she is wasting her time and talents taking color photographs of dog feces at the Oceanfront for presentation to City Council is truly a mystery.

My wife and I live several blocks from the ocean and have walked unchallenged on the Boardwalk with our dog (in season) for the past several years. We find the exercise to be exhilarating and the environment relaxing but are now reluctant to pursue one of our simplest pleasures.

It appears in Virginia Beach that the tourist trade is more important than the support of residents. Perhaps we should exhaust our time, our money and our votes on a more worthy section of the country.

Robert B. Schaefer

Virginia Beach, May 30, 1997

EDUCATION

NSU's past offers

a lesson for the future

I am a graduate of Norfolk State University and have remained active in the various activities through the years. I was among those people who organized the Norfolk State alumni.

The first director of Norfolk State was Samuel F. Scott, who served less than two years (in the '30s) because there was no money to pay him or the teachers. The school was about to close when Lyman B. Brooks and G.W.C. Brown had students standing on street corners with pans, asking for donations to keep the school open.

Brooks served Norfolk State long and well. What did he get upon his retirement? Did he get an office with secretarial support? I think not.

Norfolk State has always served mostly poor black students. The school should be there to serve the students and not give all its money to the rich. I understand that the president's salary is supplemented from the foundation funds. What will happen when the new president comes in? Will her salary also be supplemented from the funds?

I have no objection to the glory that is bestowed on the present administrator, but I feel that all of Norfolk State should love the school enough to see that the right thing is done.

Josephine F. Scott

Chesapeake, May 21, 1997

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