DATE: Wednesday, September 17, 1997         TAG: 9709170005

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  118 lines

LETTERS TO EDITOR -- THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

NORFOLK

Pity those poor

city employees. . . .

The city of Norfolk actually expects its employees to pay personal property taxes? What nerve! And then to take it out of their paychecks when they haven't paid?

These people need to get a life. They got their bills like the rest of the world, and then they got their delinquent notice that said ``we are not kidding - pay up.''

Now, because they are going to have it pulled out of their checks, they are saying that they didn't have enough notice? Who are they kidding? Quick, pass me a tissue. . . .

Carol Brockman

Norfolk, Sept. 12, 1997

. . . they'll have

to pay their taxes!

Your Sept. 12 article on the city of Norfolk collecting delinquent taxes from city employees left me dumbfounded. City workers are complaining that they weren't provided with enough time to budget around the removal of overdue tax dollars from their upcoming paychecks.

These people are supposed to be some of the finest citizens in Norfolk. After all, they work for the government. Yet they won't pay their taxes, which in turn fund their paychecks, on time. These people have received two notices.

People need to take responsibility for themselves and pay all of their bills. Then the city would not have to garnish their wages.

Jennifer S. Ayers

Portsmouth, Sept. 12, 1997

VIRGINIA BEACH

Another $12 million

down the drain

I read of the $12 million ``truck'' that hit the Virginia Beach Community Services Board (``Beach buy becomes a costly surprise,'' Sept. 9).

I ask that the City Council stop spending our money without getting some guarantees that the proposed uses are backed up by sound judgment. Where is the responsibility of CMSS Architects for making such a blunder and overlooking such obvious problems? Or will another firm come out, after Paul Finch & Associates has us tear down the buildings, and say that they were good enough to use as they were?

The way I see it, $12 million would have gone a long way to building the facilities on property already owned by the city at Lake Ridge or Corporate Landing.

There was a public outcry when the School Board went $12 million in the hole, and I hope there will be an even louder fuss about this.

Charles F. Bowdoin

Virginia Beach, Sept. 9, 1997

THE MEDIA

It's Mother Teresa

who merits tributes

How does the death of England's Princess Diana overshadow the loss of Mother Teresa? Does an upper-class, glamour-addicted socialite really compare in stature to the humblest of selfless devotees to human compassion?

While the public on both sides of the Atlantic fed like famished jackals from the carrion of Diana's media-created mystique, a small-framed woman passed on in quiet empathy with the downtrodden. Photographers never chased Mother Teresa out of glitzy hotels because she never stayed in them.

Diana, for all her attempts to appear sympathetic to the people, had little in common with them. She lived amidst wealth and privilege, and paparazzi helped create her.

As I write this, four cable stations cover Princess Diana and not one commemorates Mother Teresa. I suppose in today's society, wealth, glamor and prestige outweigh humility, selfless devotion and love. I want to remember and appreciate sharing a world with Mother Teresa.

Steven W. Newman

Norfolk, Sept. 8, 1997

FOREIGN AID

Need some money?

Move out of U.S.

In your Sept. 8 Roll Call, I was perturbed but not too surprised to read how our government is giving away our tax money.

Listed under Foreign Aid, HR2159 handed over $3 billion to Israel, which is at war with its neighbors as we speak. Also getting a piece of the pie are Russia and Ukraine, who were ready to blow the United States off the map just a few years ago.

Other recipients from this bottomless pit of funds include Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, both of which never stop killing each other. I particularly don't understand why Egypt is being paid $2.1 billion when it is of no political or economic interest to the United States.

For the record, representatives Herb Bateman, Norman Sisisky, Robert Scott and Owen Pickett all voted to pass this bill. Is it any wonder that so many working Americans are angry and disappointed with the government?

Try skipping a few payments on your student loan and see what happens to you. But the good news is you can move to another country and good old Uncle Sam will be glad to fork out the cash.

Walter N. Miles

Virginia Beach, Sept. 9, 1997

VIRGINIA BEACH

Let Neptune reign

at Oceanfront park

The open area at 31st Street and Atlantic Avenue is the last opportunity for the city of Virginia Beach to provide a true park on the ocean for its many taxpaying citizens and its valued tourist visitors.

The park might have a distinctive fountain to Neptune as its centerpiece, and be so tastefully landscaped that people would flock to it to have their pictures taken there, whereas in any other Atlantic Ocean resort all they see is a monotonous row of motels. Just look at the postcards available. Paris has its Eiffel Tower; Virginia Beach would have its Neptune. It would be distinctive, different.

The issue is reported to be in review by various groups now. It is supposed to be publicly aired at City Council this fall. All those who want the area a true open area park and not the lawn of a motel should sign petitions, write letters and make phone calls now. Do citizens want $3 million of their money preserved for them in a public park? I'd say they do.

Maurice B. Jackson

Virginia Beach, Sept. 9, 1997

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