THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 13, 1995 TAG: 9504120159
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 153 lines
In the 1980s, the Republican Party declared war on this country's welfare state. Members felt the huge deficits caused by cutting taxes and increasing military spending would scare the Congress into less social spending.
The Democratic Congress of the day would not be moved, and the end result of this grand-scale political gamesmanship has become known as the Reagan Revolution. Its results: uncontrolled social payoffs to huge groups of people, huge military outlays and gargantuan yearly deficits.
Our country has started making small inroads into this explosion of overspending. We elected a president who vowed to do exactly that. Unfortunately, he does not have the inner fortitude to stand on principle. Sometimes it's even hard to see what his principles are.
Into this void stepped Newt Gingrich. Even if you hate him, you know exactly how he stands on any issue. He has picked up the Reagan Revolution battle flag, and the Republican Party has again declared war on the American social state. The weapons are exactly as before: an increase in military spending and a decrease in taxes.
The difference this time around is Bill Clinton. He made welfare reform one of his personal goals during his campaign. The question both parties need to answer is whether they learned from recent past mistakes. Will they continue to mortgage the nation's financial future?
The Congress rejected a balanced budget amendment, a weapon that might have assured ultimate victory in the Reagan Revolution. The amendment would have constitutionalized dismantling any programs not funded in full during any given year.
Stunned from huge losses of the last election, Democrats have become ``easy pickins' '' for the Republican leadership. Now that the Reagan Revolution has almost been won, what will become of the war casualties?
Let's hope and pray that the end result isn't a tragic reminder of why the welfare state was started to begin with. Even the most strident conservatives wouldn't want to return to the old days of rampant bigotry, poverty and hopelessness.
J.S. Luster
Ashford Drive
Suffolk Cotton production up, Holland gin is needed
Agriculture is Suffolk's number one industry, and it appears that position will not be relinquished for many years to come. Over the last three or four years, cotton production in Suffolk has increased significantly. The farm economy is viewed by many as a stabilizing force here in our community.
It is paramount that we complement Suffolk's cotton producers with the availability of ginning activities locally. The proposed cotton gin in the Holland community will fit that need. The character of the community, being rural in nature, is only enhanced by this venture.
The entrepreneurs involved in this endeavor are planning a state-of-the-art ginning process. We wish them well and support those efforts wholeheartedly.
Walter H. Johnson
Ruritan Boulevard
Suffolk
Editor's Note: This letter also bore the names of 27 other people who said they agree with its contents. Holland's quality of life threatened by business
Editor's note: The following letters are reproduced from Sunday, when some Suffolk subscribers did not receive the Sun. We apologize for any inconvenience.
What I witnessed when the Suffolk Planning Commission met March 21 deeply concerns me. The commission unanimously declined four requests for rezoning on Nansemond Parkway and one on Holland Road because of 1) close proximity to homes and a school, 2) difficulty for people entering and exiting their property and 3) their quality of quiet rural life being interrupted.
However, when the request to rezone land for a cotton gin on South Quay Road (58 Bypass) came before the board, none of those issues were deemed a problem for the Holland area. There was also no concern that there is no manufacturing district in this residential area. Is there a precedent being set here? If one is allowed, will there be more?
Families' quality of life being compromised doesn't seem to be an issue in this case. Shouldn't there be a trust created by these zoning laws? Homes and land were purchased, futures planned. How can the citizens place their trust in Suffolk city government? I feel the commission has failed to meet basic legal requirements of this city's own zoning regulations. Why won't our city officials carry these out?
Yes, we are a farming community. We accept the dust associated with farming. It was here first. We thank God for our farms and those hard-working farmers and their families. We are very proud to live in this area and see the peanuts, corn and cotton growing in the fields surrounding our homes. But to have huge buildings and modules in former farmland, and equipment roaring beside homes 24 hours a day, four months out of the year, is unconscionable.
Our sincere thanks to Commissioners David Sylvia and Freddie Bowen Jr. for their wisdom in voting no to this rezoning request.
The hundreds of citizens who have signed the petition opposing the location of this gin are now looking to our City Council for help. Please vote no to this request. Don't compromise hundreds of families' safety, health and quality of life.
Bob and Barbara Harrell
South Quay Road
Suffolk Will breathing become harder because of gin?
Dear Mr. Cotton Gin,
We are just a couple of oldsters. Between us, by our 1994 birthdays, we had chalked up 180 years.
We wanted to ask, do cotton gins have hearts? And, if you do, is it a hard heart (you know, like the poli
ticians we hear so much about) or is it a soft heart (kind of like the old-fashioned way of wanting to do what is right?)
You see, we are troubled with some problems! I, especially, have a breathing problem, so would it be very much trouble for you to find a nice space, free from any homes that might suffer? We would be so grateful and really hope that you would prosper having a free conscience.
We hope that you have a soft heart, and we hope that you care, because we would want somebody to care about you, also, in time of your days as an oldster.
Fred and Irene Ninnemann
South Quay Road
Suffolk Pride and gratitude as church comes back
The congregation of Holland Baptist Church plans to worship in its new sanctuary on Easter morning. What an exciting time this will be! Even with the pews and organ yet to be installed, you would have to see the interior to believe its magnificent beauty.
But none of this would have been possible had it not been for the support of hundreds of donors who saw a need and responded immediately. As of this date, our restoration fund has exceeded $200,000. About 35 percent of this was raised within the church by yard sales, suppers, fund drives and pledges.
When added to the insurance that we were able to collect, this enabled us to pay all construction costs on a timely basis as well as replace most of the contents. As we assemble our final array of bills, it appears the church may have to borrow only a token amount of money, a miraculous feat considering the total reconstruction cost exceeded $750,000.
I will never forget a cold winter day, as I sifted through the ashes, covered with snow, when a figure appeared in the blackened doorway. It was an elderly gentleman from Staunton who said he was just passing by and had noticed the roofless walls of our burned-out sanctuary. After talking awhile, he said, ``Here, please take this five dollars. I'm sure you will need it.''
Such has been the spirit of giving from people far and near. Churches of other denominations and races poured out their hearts even when heavily in debt themselves. To observe such community-wide willingness to put aside personal interests and give generously to this cause is to observe Christian grace at its best.
It is our prayer that this beautiful sanctuary will contribute to the enrichment of worship of Almighty God for all who will enter its doors.
You may be assured that this small congregation will not soon forget this sharing experience.
Steve H. Butler
Chairman, Board of Trustees by CNB