THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509150218
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
While eating our cereal this morning, my 8-year-old and I were discussing the salt residue in the pan from boiling last night's spaghetti.
Andrew said, ``Dad, we need to change rivers so we can fix this water problem.''
I replied, ``Son, when God made man, he gave him the mental ability to come up with ideas to fix problems. It is important that we elect men and women who are capable of foreseeing problems and coming up with solutions.
``It is not the river's fault, Son. Rivers don't think; people do.''
Robert W. Tull Jr.
Progressive Drive Damaged property
As a long-time resident of Norfolk County and Chesapeake, I am concerned with the sub-standard quality of the drinking water.
Many residents have expressed their dissatisfaction with the water, but they have failed to mention the tremendous cost of damages done to hot water heaters, automatic dishwashers, garbage disposals and washing machines. Property damage from the high salt content has escalated. Property owners have been saddled with additional cost of replacement appliances before their time.
The amount of rain that fell upon Chesapeake on Aug. 27 and 28 did little to relieve the water quality situation. So we pay for the water that is unfit to drink, and continual use will ruin our property. And, for this, we pay normal fees. There will probably be no reductions nor reimbursements for damages.
When I receive my storm water drainage run-off assessment, I would be amazed to see a reduction due to the low amount of rain which has fallen upon the city this year.
Ila M. Muse
Custis Avenue Courtroom wisdom
Periodically, the departed Judge Charles Cross is remembered in the news. He should be. He had the magical ability to turn an austere courtroom into something less somber, and ended cases with everyone laughing.
In the early 1980s, I purchased a new vehicle from a dealer with a ``new'' inspection. Two weeks later, a Chesapeake police officer decided the inspection was not new enough and issued a summons.
No one could give an answer on this because the state had just shifted to yearly inspections. It was mass confusion in the beginning as to what was legal. The judge would have to decide.
Prior to my turn with the court, a Norfolk motorist had to explain why he ran a red light at the intersection of Centerville Turnpike and Mount Pleasant Road. He told the judge that a stop watch showed the amber light to be on only half as long as the amber lights in Norfolk. The entire court went into a big uproar when Judge Cross said the people in Norfolk have always been slower than the people in Chesapeake. Case dismissed!
It took about the same amount of time to throw out the inspections charge.
Cletus L. Hobbs
San Roman Drive by CNB