The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, November 12, 1995              TAG: 9511100208
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN              PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   84 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Two events will bring city together

I would like to encourage the citizens of Suffolk to attend two special events coming soon in the city.

The first is the 24 Hour Prayer Vigil sponsored by the Suffolk YMCA and community churches. The prayer vigil, to be held at Main Street United Methodist Church, will be held from 8 p.m. Thursday through 8 p.m. Friday.

The service will begin with the Honorable Mills Godwin offering a prayer for Unity and Harmony in the city of Suffolk, and the focus of the prayer vigil is to find a solution to the violence in our community. We often talk about the violence in our community - we are now coming together to seek the solutions to this problem. What an event this will be, as we come together as a community to seek God's guidance and discover solutions to this overwhelming problem.

The second event is the Community Thanksgiving Service, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday as the concluding service of the 24 Hour Prayer Vigil. Special music will be presented, and the final prayer will be offered by the Rev. Melvin Boone.

Let's come together as a community and turn first to God as we seek answers to the problem of violence in our community and as we offer our prayer of thanksgiving to our God for the blessings we have received from God's hand.

Rev. Alan R. Felumlee

Main Street United Methodist Church

Suffolk

Publish inspections

Imagine, turning on the TV set on a Wednesday night to a show discussing health violations at local restaurants that you frequent. Discussing such violations as rodent problems, pest control and unsanitary conditions.

I have wondered why our local newspaper does not publish the health inspections done on our local eateries. The Washington Post presents the violations weekly in their newspaper. It would be an excellent idea to see this practice in our local paper.

Veronica Hall

1023 Cogic Square

Suffolk

Food for thought

A recent television program caused me a great deal of concern as a mother, wife and small business operator in the city of Suffolk. I feel it should be of concern to all citizens of Suffolk. The program I refer to is the one which depicted the ``care'' taken in food preparation in certain food operations.

Some of the food operations depicted on this program are represented in the city of Suffolk. It also has come to my attention that our local health department does not make the ``public records'' of our local establishments public. What can be done regarding this?

It is my personal feeling that these establishments should be held accountable for their health habits or lack thereof. If the public is not aware of their records, how can they be held accountable?

Judy H. Bunch

245 West Liberty Spring Road

Suffolk

Inform the customer

Recently, there has been much information furnished to the American public concerning the cleanliness of various eating establishments. We are fortunate to have several fine restaurants in the Tidewater area. It is my understanding, however, that the public health inspection reports are not available at all restaurants for customers to view. To me, this is a matter of concern.

When consumers purchase products from stores, information is available about the items being bought (safety data, potential health risks). This information is used by consumers when we decide which products to purchase. Should we expect any less from those who prepare the food we eat?

It is my opinion that inspection reports should be available for the customers to see. I ask our area restaurants to respond to the increased concern of the American public. To proudly display the results of their public health inspections by posting them in their establishments, to publish these results in a printed publication, or to do both would certainly be appreciated by many patrons of these establishments.

Theresa R. Marks

102 Pochahontas Street

Franklin by CNB