THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 3, 1996 TAG: 9611010211
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letters
LENGTH: 125 lines
Most everyone around here agrees that regional cooperation among the cities in Hampton Roads would be a great benefit and is a goal that must be pursued.
Significant progress cannot be made, in my view, until the most important regional problem is resolved and that is the creation of a regional water authority. The air is so poisoned by Norfolk's intransigence in this matter that there is little incentive for Virginia Beach to cooperate on other matters of mutual concern. That's the stumbling block.
Admittedly, control of water is a vital economic consideration for land-starved Norfolk. So, a solution must be found which will provide a reasonable revenue stream to replace this sole ownership. Some ``give'' on the part of others will be required. What will it take for Norfolk to transfer its water supply and supporting infrastructure to a regional authority? Virginia Beach will surely have to throw in the Lake Gaston pipeline. Perhaps adjoining cities will have to sweeten the pot by giving up some undeveloped land. Once the water problem is solved on a regional basis, regional cooperation on other matters, such as transportation and economic development should find a much smoother path.
It will not be easy to overcome 50 years of mistrust and establish the climate of good will necessary to achieve this goal. I sure hope Greater Hampton Roads is exploring a regional water authority in earnest as an essential first step.
Sheldon L. Corner
Sept. 30 Common sense is now an endangered species
For many active duty military in Hampton Roads, Columbus Day was a holiday; for most Virginia Beach schools, Monday the 14th was just another school day. Part of my holiday morning was spent working out, which included running laps, sprints and steps at Salem High School. About 10 minutes into my running routine, a man driving a golf cart circled the outside of the track and eventually pulled up under the bleachers I was running up and asked if I was a member of the faculty. No, I answered, just a member of the neighborhood, and I was asked to leave. ``It's the law,'' he said. I left.
I understand and appreciate the need to restrict the presence of society's undesirable elements in our school yards. However, I resent being indiscriminantly lumped among the perverts and pushers for which the law he referred to is intended.
There were no students around at the time of my run (about 0930). I avoid the track during school hours if students are out and would depart if I saw students heading to use the track and field. But with no one around, except the person on the golf cart, I saw no harm in using the track.
Instead, I was asked to leave, like some pedophile lurking behind a trailer. Wouldn't it have been agreeable to ask me to finish by a certain time because physical education classes were going to use the track? Couldn't some common sense have been applied given this innocuous situation?
I guess not. Rather, whether driven by pervading legal concerns or simply paranoia, our society chooses to assume the worst about people.
Yes, you need to be careful and you can't judge a person by their appearance. But rules and regulations are guidelines subject to situational disconformities that require the application of common sense. Unfortunately, if common sense isn't dead in America, it is arguably an endangered species.
Jim Pelkofski
Oct. 14 Stop sleazy development cropping up near Oceana
With the building of Oceana Naval Air Station has come the first signs of sleaze.
From Virginia Beach Boulevard, drive along Oceana Boulevard toward the main gate, and you'll be outraged by one ugly, purple-painted building labeled ``JB's Gallery of Girls.''
Virginia Beach must protect itself and NAS Oceana from the establishment of sleaze joints which plagued Norfolk and its naval base following World War II. Is our Dam Neck corridor next?
Will Virginia Beach be proudly known as ``Fightertown USA'' or be shamefully ridiculed as ``Sleazetown USA?'' Virginia Beach and naval aviation deserve better.
Reginal Regnav
Oct. 28 This area has potential to land air cargo facility
In reference to the 10,000 jobs that Congressman Owen Pickett and others keep mentioning are at Oceana Naval Air Station, don't you have to join the Navy before getting those jobs?
But today there is a huge market for an air cargo facility and if the Navy could cooperate with this community toward building such an enterprise, you could land a 747 loaded with air cargo today. Such military/community ventures are actually a reality in today's world at peace.
Markets such as European Community (G-7), the Pacific Rim and China are there for the taking if we put our mind to it. Dulles International Airport, for example, has invested billions of dollars to expand its potential toward such markets.
Norfolk International Airport is limited by its runways and no where to expand.
Gabriel Jimenez
Oct. 29 Why do dog owners use beach as a litter box?
The beauty of the beach, sand and sun prompted my move to the Oceanfront. Quickly, to my disgust, was the beauty of the rolling surf crashing the beach lined with dog poop! This only comes after dodging poop from my neighbors, who insist on letting their dogs roam, to cross the median, another poop area.
Have not these inconsiderate owners ever read the posted signs stating there is a $1,000 FINE for not scooping their poop? Can you just imagine if the police started enforcing this? Instead of waiting for speeders along Atlantic Avenue, they could easily stand to earn more for illegal pooping.
So think of it folks, when your kids are playing at the beach in the sand, and you (a dog owner) are basking in the sun enjoying the surf with your toes in the sand. . . that stuff you feel in your toes, or what the kids are building with, is nothing more than your dog poop.
Get real folks, it isn't a litter box for dogs!
Lyn Montoya
Oct. 26 Local restaurant manager shows unusual kindness
As former residents of Virginia Beach, we would like to tell you of a great thing that happened to us recently. We wrote to Morrison's Cafeteria on Laskin Road to ask them where we could order a box of angel mints.
We received from their manager (Wanda Figeuro) by Federal Express, a box of angel mints with a very nice letter saying she knew how much all our family loved them.
We think that you and everyone at Virginia Beach are very fortunate and lucky to have such wonderful people living there.
George and Katherine Davis
Bainbridge Island, Wash.
Oct. 24 by CNB