THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 11, 1996 TAG: 9602100092
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 150 lines
The old adage regarding the postman and his appointed rounds is still sound in our region. However, there is now a vast number of people who must be added to that list of vital workers who carry on in spite of adverse conditions. Virginia Power workers, Virginia Department of Transportation workers, city utility or Public Works Department workers, cable television company employees and the untold number of heating company employees, plumbers and electricians who ceaselessly gave their time and energy this past weekend need to be applauded with recognition if not with extra pay. We understand also that there were several crews from other states pitching in to aid our Virginia Power folks with the task of returning power to our homes.
In our neighborhood alone, several Virginia Power crews worked constantly. It seemed that as soon as they had one place cleared, another tree limb would topple, and they would have to start all over.
While those of us without power for upwards of 48 hours compared ourselves to the pioneers of an earlier generation, we have only those workers to thank for restoring order to our lives.
Thanks to all of you who gave so much of your time and energy.
Sherry and Jim Simmons
Collington Drive Warming a cold day
One could never say it was a serious relationship. I only saw him once a year for the past five years. I still don't know his last name, but I think his first name is Billy. I do know that he's the ``Chimney Sweep Man'' from down the road at Olde Town Chimney Sweep on Battlefield Boulevard.
It was the second day of no electricity or heat. All I had was a small fireplace, but the damper at the top of the chimney was frozen. It was getting dark and the temperature had dropped below 13 degrees. Unable to reach Billy by phone, I drove the icy road to his house. He said there was probably nothing he could do right now. I returned home and put on more layers of clothing. Within the hour, Billy and a young man drove up. Snow was starting to fall. Billy was able to free the damper and start a fire with the fire log he brought. He insisted that they help me bring in more logs from the barn. With a roaring fire, I was happy and beginning to thaw out.
At 7 o'clock, the lights on Billy's truck were barely visible. He was back with a large Thermos bottle of hot coffee and two containers of hot soup. He left three more fire logs, just in case the fire went out during the night.
So, what's in a name? Who cares. I call him my ``knight in shining armor.''
Betsy Patterson
Benefit Road Keep it simple
This letter is in reference to the article titled, ``School Naming Delayed'' in the Feb. 2 edition of The Clipper, which stated that the School Board postponed naming the new elementary school located on Cedar Road.
The recommended name was Cedar Road Elementary School. Apparently, some residents, including those representing the local branch of the NAACP, said they wanted the board to name the school after one of two local black activists, W.P. Clark Sr., who served on City Council in the 1970s, or Hugh Owens, a former councilman and vice mayor.
Lamont Simmons, president of Chesapeake Forward, a civic group, suggested the board honor these local blacks who have contributed greatly to the development of Chesapeake. it will also give the children going through that school the knowledge that Chesapeake residents of African-American descent have contributed to the city.
Being the mother of three children, all of whom attend Chesapeake Public Schools, I travel to various sporting events at other schools in the city to watch y children participate in these events. I find it advantageous to immediately be able to reference the location of the school by its name, i.e. Deep Creek Middle School, obviously in the Deep Creek Section of Chesapeake. The majority of the schools within the city limits are named after the section of the city in which they are located. I strongly believe that this new school should be named Cedar Road Elementary School. It immediately allows you to associate the name to the location - Cedar Road, a major road in Chesapeake.
If the School Board allows every civic group to voice its opinion in the naming of new schools, it will open up a Pandora's box. Who will decide what person or persons have contributed greatly to our city? Did these people donate the land on which the school was built or were they instrumental in getting the school built? I think neither.
I think holding a public meeting on Feb. 26 is ridiculous. Shouldn't our School Board and our citizens be more concerned with more pressing issues such as more children attending school outside of our school buildings in portables, student safety, drugs in our schools, computers in every classroom, etc.
Let's not let the name of new schools become a point of public discussion. I think we should continue naming our schools according to their location and keep things simple in a much-too-complicated world.
Darlene Gorman
Granada Drive Race track opposed
On Oct. 30, the Suffolk Circuit Court heard final arguments on our lawsuit to prevent the automobile race track and M-2 heavy industrial zoning in Suffolk at Nansemond Parkway (Portsmouth Boulevard in Chesapeake) and Shoulders Hill Road, which is close to large populations. The Suffolk judge said this was a complicated case with much merit, and he took considerable time deciding the case. As expected, he found in favor of Suffolk.
Citizens Against the Racetrack and Industrial Park believe we have a good case and will appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court. Beside the issues of law, the noise from the auto race track can carry 12 miles before fading into the background and M-2 zoning allows the worst kinds of industry!
To find out more, come to a meeting next Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at Russell Memorial library, 2808 Taylor Road, Chesapeake.
Susan C. Blankenship
Barn Swallow Drive THE WAY IT WAS
Chesapeake in its younger years
Was a quiet and peaceful place
With scenic roads, where it took no time
To go from place to place.
We never heard of traffic jams.
It was really a restful spot -
A good, safe place for the kids to play:
There was always an empty lot.
Then the politicians thought of a plan
To help us out, you know.
``We'll build more houses there,'' they said.
``You really need to grow.''
So this was the end of our beautiful farms
And our trees and our meadows fair.
To build more houses to bring in folks
Who didn't seem to care.
And along with the change
Came the sin and the crime
And the crowds and the rush hour, too.
But the politicians didn't care;
They said, ``It's best for you.''
So our city changed from good to bad,
And the taxes went up, too.
Of course, they wouldn't build more roads;
They said, ``That just won't do!''
They told us we didn't understand,
And they gave us the run-around.
They said that they knew what was best,
And good for our Chesapeake town.
Well, they plan and they scheme,
And they meet and they talk,
And my curiosity it arouses
When the news gets out
That all they planned
Was how to build more houses. Carter G. Culpepper Old Mill Road by CNB