DATE: Monday, October 20, 1997              TAG: 9710180014

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  113 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

CAMPAIGN '97

Where will Gilmore

get money for schools?

I am confused as to where Jim Gilmore is going to put the five new teachers in every elementary school. Some schools have classes in closets now. Maybe he will buy the cities and counties 800 mobile classrooms.

The state does not have a personal property tax on cars; the cities and counties do. Stripped of their income and given a promise of revenue he cannot keep, where will our local governments get their revenue?

If Gilmore wants to cut taxes, cut state taxes. Heaven knows, there are plenty of choices. Remember, Gilmore is the guy who does not want federal money for our schools and flat out refused free government bucks as attorney general.

No federal money, no local money - schools need support, and our kids deserve better.

Donald Lane

Chesapeake, Oct. 9, 1997

Remember, L. F. Payne

opposed Gaston pipeline

From reading the editorials in The Virginian-Pilot, it appears that this paper is seriously considering an endorsement of L. F. Payne for lieutenant governor. How could The Pilot possibly consider such action? For years, L. F. Payne fought as hard as possible against the Lake Gaston pipeline. Editorial writer Kerry Dougherty wrote on Jan. 11:

``And then there's L. F. Payne. . . . As a U.S. congressman, he fought tooth and nail against the Lake Gaston pipeline. Payne was consistent in his opposition to the project - until this week, that is, when he flew around the state announcing over and over that he is now a candidate for lieutenant governor.''

Without the Lake Gaston pipeline, new industry, new jobs and more military presence would not come into this area. No Lake Gaston pipeline would have resulted in a nonexpanding tax base, which would have meant higher real estate and other taxes.

Please remember this when you go to the polls on Nov. 4 to vote for lieutenant governor and cast your vote for John Hager.

Thomas C. Coghill Sr.

Active member of the original

1980 Water Study Commission

Virginia Beach, Oct. 1, 1997

TELEVISION

Ads today have no

snap, crackle or pop

What's with the beer commercials on television? Have you ever seen such garbage? Frogs, lizards, fat little angels and even CEOs of the company. Enough to make you long for Prohibition.

One wag has the effrontery to say that President Roosevelt accepted a case of their swill at the White House when Prohibition ended. Yeah, sure he did.

Does anybody remember the Hammis bear, Harry and Burt Piel, Mr. Boh, Rheingold's marching bottles and cans? Very innocuous, to be sure, but, after all, they were only selling beer.

Tom McCauley

Virginia Beach, Oct. 5, 1997

NORFOLK

Police, firefighters

are a No. 1 priority

The citizens and civic leagues of Norfolk need to quickly get involved in the issue of public safety before City Hall can again cut into this area of the budget. Antiquated fire trucks and stations, budget cuts in vital equipment needs and staffing, plus politically maneuvered promotions within the fire and paramedical services put everyone at risk.

These men put their lives on the line every time the ``brass hits.'' Yet they must continue to go up against management and City Hall to get the tools of their trade. Along with our police, they must constantly fight for health bills, Worker's Compensation and retirement.

And just for the record, this is the first pay increase they have asked for in five years.

Debbie Creef

Norfolk, Oct. 8, 1997

RULES OF THE ROAD

Emergency vehicles

have right of way

I have noticed an increasing disregard by my fellow drivers for emergency vehicles.

Recently, I saw two examples of this. In both, a fire truck, with lights and sirens on, had to come to a complete stop at an intersection while traffic with a green light proceeded through.

Check your driver's manual: An emergency vehicle responding to an incident always has the right of way.

Is everyone in so much of a hurry that they can't allow the few extra seconds for an emergency vehicle to pass? How would you feel if a loved one were in a crisis and an irresponsible driver delayed help?

Melanie Bulger

Virginia Beach, Oct. 8, 1997

ANIMAL FRIENDS

Nursing-home pets

are the cat's meow

We at the SPCA were delighted to see the Oct. 8 Daily Break article, ``Creature comforts.'' We are convinced of the positive effects of animals in institutionalized settings, because we have provided pet therapy visits to hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions for more than 18 years. We have witnessed on a daily basis what it means to patients and residents to hear the purr of a kitten or to stroke the ears of a dog.

We were happy to provide the animals for Sentara Nursing Center on Newtown Road and would be delighted to work with any other nursing home or facility to ``Edenize'' their living arrangements. Please call me at 427-0070.

Susan Q. Wagner

Humane education director

Virginia Beach SPCA

Virginia Beach, Oct. 10, 1997

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