DATE: Sunday, October 26, 1997              TAG: 9710270222

SECTION: COMMENTARY              PAGE: J4   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letters

                                            LENGTH:  198 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

CAMPAIGN '97

Beyer's an advocate for the disabled

Since the onset of my disability 20 years ago, I have met people who expressed a desire to help individuals with disabilities. Well, Don Beyer puts his words into actions.

Mr. Beyer formed a committee to do a statewide assessment of the needs of individuals with disabilities, and I met him in Norfolk, where he and his committee were meeting. My gut feeling was that this committee would put our concerns on the back burner. However, Mr. Beyer and the rest of the committee mingled with the audience and showed a sincere concern for implementing positive changes.

The result of this statewide assessment is the Disability Service Boards - 44 boards throughout Virginia that give financial and lifestyle assistance to individuals with disabilities.

Now is the time for individuals with disabilities or those who know someone who has a disability to consider voting for a sincere, genuine advocate - Don Beyer.

Joan M. Patterson

Portsmouth, Oct. 1, 1997

Don't buy Beyer's anti-Robertson sleaze

Don Beyer has brought a new low-water mark to dirty politics with his ``demonizer in chief'' innuendo and downright sleaze about a good Christian man who isn't even running for political office. Is Beyer going to tell me that Pat Robertson's legal and aboveboard $100,000 contribution to Gilmore's campaign is going to influence Gilmore's policy-making more than the hundreds of thousands of sleazy dollars solicited illegally by Al Gore and Bill Clinton will influence their policies?

Everyone knows that political campaigns cost. At least Pat Robertson isn't guilty of legal or ethical violations. Pat Robertson's culpability is that he wears his religion on his sleeve but, being a Christian myself, I respect that quality in a man.

Bob Lucas

Windsor, Oct. 17, 1997

Dolan best suited to be attorney general

We need to think carefully about who our next attorney general should be. The two candidates are very different.

Bill Dolan has a mainstream platform that addresses issues such as the prevention of juvenile crime and drug abuse with his 14-point plan for juvenile justice reform.

Mark Earley is running on a conservative religious agenda that includes abolition of the lottery and banning abortion, even in case of rape or incest.

Dolan's endorsements include Virginia's Fraternal Order of Police.

Early's endorsements include ultraconservative religious groups like the Family Research Council and the Christian Coalition.

We need an attorney general who will represent the interest of all Virginians, not one who will carry out the cultural agenda of a small minority of extremists. Bill Dolan is the clear choice for our next attorney general.

Judy Rosenblatt

Virginia Beach, Oct. 7, 1997

PORTSMOUTH

GOP club backing numerous candidates

I take issue with your Oct. 12 article, ``Ex-legal secretary who sued Joannou isn't waiting for court.'' The article gives the impression that the suit filed by Cheri Newman, Mr. Joannou's former legal secretary, is politically motivated and, in part, instigated by the Elizabeth River Republican Women's Club. That implication is totally false.

We support the nominated Republican candidate. This year we have given our volunteer time and financial support to Jim Gilmore for governor, John Hager for lieutenant governor, Mark Earley for attorney General, Larry Willis for Chesapeake commonwealth's attorney, Barbara Carraway for Chesapeake city treasurer, Voyce McGinley for Portsmouth sheriff, Bev Graeber for House of Delegates, Chris Jones for House of Delegates, as well as Dan Evans for House of Delegates. The suggestion that Dan Evans is the only male who received our support is outrageous.

Ms. Newman, who filed her lawsuit in 1996, deserves her day in court. Meanwhile, the people of the 79th District deserve to be aware of her allegations.

Mary Korving

President

Elizabeth River Republican Women's Club

Chesapeake, Oct. 13, 1997

VIRGINIA BEACH

Elect Richards to revenue post

With all of the campaign flurry, little attention has been paid to the race for Virginia Beach commissioner of the revenue, an office that handles millions of dollars of our money.

Rickie Richards, the Republican candidate, comes with a long list of qualifications. He has a degree in business administration and is a certified public accountant. Richards served 22 years in the Virginia Beach Department of Finance and was a deputy commissioner of the revenue for 11 years. He knows how the department operates. He serves on the board of directors of the Municipal Federal Credit Union.

As commissioner, he will use technology to improve services and reduce the tax burden on Virginia Beach taxpayers.

Ruth Wallace

Virginia Beach, Oct. 15, 1997

NORFOLK RACE

Elect Thelma Drake for a new beginning

The letter from Anna Valderrama and Pamela Vaughn (Oct. 13) rightly calls for a new beginning in our state government, but electing someone backed by the current entrenched leadership in the House of Delegates is not the way to do it.

Thelma Drake, in her first term, has fought hard to bring change and has been vigorously opposed by House Speaker Tom Moss at every turn. Mr. Moss has held sway in our government for too long, and he is the one who should be held responsible for the current state of affairs.

If you want a change, you should re-elect Thelma Drake and send Bud West and Bev Graeber to Richmond to help her.

Susan R. O'Neal

Norfolk, Oct. 13, 1997

She has my votes

Who better to fight the prostitution problems in Ocean View than a longtime active resident who sees the activity from her own back yard?

What ``new'' way does Todd Fiorella have in mind? Perhaps he will take them to his Larchmont neighborhood. . . .

Thelma, I know how hard you worked for Ocean View. You have my vote.

Elaine Soriano

Norfolk, Oct. 14, 1997

SAVING THE WHALES

Whale data used for scientific research

Kerry Dougherty's Oct. 11 column, ``Stop all the blubbering about beached whales,'' demonstrates an abysmal lack of appreciation for science and education. The Virginia Marine Science Museum and its stranding team are dedicated to educating people about our marine environment. The health (or illness) of marine animals is a direct reflection of the health of the water where they live. These are the same waters that humans depend upon for food and commercial interests.

Sick or injured marine animals represent exceptional opportunities to study rare species and gather scientific data, while perhaps rehabilitating and returning the animals to their natural habitat. Information is shared with researchers around the nation.

Volunteerism is a hallmark of American culture. Citizens may choose the opportunities that are most meaningful for them. Those people who donate their resources and time responsibly to animals and the environment deserve appreciation for their efforts.

Mindy L. Hughes

Virginia Beach, Oct. 11, 1997

Volunteers also caring toward humans

Ms. Doughtery is missing something. As a volunteer with the Virginia Marine Science Museum, I have worked in the recent efforts to save the stranded whales.

First, the slim chance of returning these majestic animals to the sea is certainly worth the effort. Second, the knowledge gained in the process may one day contribute to science.

Further, the volunteers in these efforts show compassion not only for marine mammals but for all forms of life. I cannot understand why Ms. Dougherty would categorize the stranding team members as misguided individuals who display callousness toward human life. For her to imply that these same individuals support the notions of abortion, capital punishment and doctor-assisted suicide is puzzling.

I only hope that if I ever find myself in need of help, I am fortunate enough to be near any member of this caring group of volunteers.

Margaret Padilla

Portsmouth, Oct. 13, 1997

CHESAPEAKE BAY

Allowing increased pollution irresponsible

Allowing Tyson Foods to dump additional quantities of a known pollutant into an already impaired tributary of the Chesapeake Bay is a prime example of the Republican Party's disregard for the environment. Basing approval on tests conducted by Tyson nine years ago is a prime example of the state government allowing the business ``goat'' to guard the environmental ``cabbage patch.''

The recent outbreak of pfiesteria illustrates how fragile the ecology of the Bay is. To approve an act that will increase pollution is irresponsible.

Terry Eikenbery

Virginia Beach, Oct. 21, 1997

Va., N.C. should protect our waters from waste

Virginia and North Carolina officials pushing for an increase in the level of toxic pollution runoff allowed from chicken and hog farming into the Chesapeake Bay and the sounds of North Carolina should be tried for crimes against humanity!

It is no coincidence that Arkansas' Tyson Foods has such a strong lobby in state and national government. The power base that moved President Clinton's political career from governor of Arkansas to president of our United States has an incredible, destructive political pull in Washington which, in turn, pulls the strings of state officals.

I have a friend who has worked in a local oyster bar for many years shucking oysters as part of her job. She now has a bacterial infection on her hand caused by the polluted bi-valves. Our seafood is not safe to eat or even handle. Our waters, which are unique and fragile, are being sacrificed for big money.

The poultry and hog industries must spend more of their wealth on research to come up with a better way of neutralizing this pollution instead of increasing their lobbying in state and national government for less restriction on polluting our environment.

Shawn Morton

Kitty Hawk, N.C., Oct. 21, 1997

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