THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 9, 1995 TAG: 9506080156
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 135 lines
Bob Humphreys, commonwealth's attorney for Virginia Beach, recently sent a mass mailing to voters in the 7th Senatorial District. The folder-sized envelope stated in large writing that it contained an ``urgent'' message from the commonwealth's attorney. In actuality, all that was inside was a three-page letter urging support for a Republican challenger to Sen. Clancy Holland.
Mr. Humphreys apparently has the time to author political letters allegedly of an ``urgent'' nature while he lets others in his office handle - and mishandle - such important matters as the Salem area murder case, which involved the killing of 17-year-old Joseph Garcia. Because Mr. Humphreys is busy playing politics, one bungle after another - e.g., the ``noose'' incident and the secret panel on ``pornographic'' material - has occurred in his office. These mistakes could be avoided, and he would look a lot better if he would stick to doing his job and stop abusing his position of public trust by sending out deceptive political mailings.
The elected position of commonwealth's attorney carries enormous responsibility every day. Here's hoping Mr. Humphreys wakes up and realizes it before another of his prosecutorial blunders thwarts jus-tice.
Kevin Martin-Gayle
Virginia Beach Program for `at-risk' kids inappropriate to Alanton
We have been parents of an Alanton Elementary student for the past six years. In fact, we moved into the neighborhood so that our children can attend such a fine school, a sentiment echoed by many parents in our neighborhood.
The education and enriching experiences provided by the administration, faculty, staff and PTA have been all that we could hope for within the public-school system.
The Accelerated Schools Program (ASP) is a deceiving name for a program designed for use in schools with ``at-risk'' students. We do not feel that Alanton Elementary and the majority of its students fall into the ``at-risk'' category.
The improvement of the scores on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills does not reflect the ASP at Alanton. When we addressed our concerns at using our child for ``peer tutoring'' (one of the components of ASP), the administration said that it was within the classroom and that the ASP was just in the Taking Stock, Reporting Out and Vision stages. It was our understanding that the Accelerated Schools Programs will not actually be in the classroom until next year.
The signatures on the petition to Superintendent Faucette were from parents and the community. It is not our idea to air our school's ``dirty laundry'' in public, but we feel that many parents have been misinformed. Without the tool of public communication, the surrounding community would be completely uninformed.
The community should be aware of what is happening to their neighborhood school. After all, it's their tax dollars that support it!
Chris and Phyllis Moy
Alanton Republican primary voters choose Erb to challenge Holland
I attended the Erb for Senate campaign kickoff and was proud to hear a politician deal with issues affecting Virginia Beach. Wally Erb needs our support because he will deal with issues like crime, education and taxes.
He favors returning lottery money to Virginia Beach, which Clancy Holland opposed. Erb will vote to improve our standards of learning in public schools so Virginia Beach children can compete on a global basis. Erb will also fight to keep Virginia Beach's taxes low.
Mike Feeg
Wickford Landing
On June 13, the Republican Party will have a choice of visions on who will represent the party in November. Wally Erb is the candidate with the best vision for Virginia Beach. Wally has solutions to our problems like lower taxes, a smaller government and more individual responsibility. Wally has spoken in the past for conservative issues for Virginia Beach and will speak for conservative issues in the future.
The Republican Party needs someone with political experience to challenge Clancy Holland in November. Now is not the time to elect someone who has never run for any political office.
Bonnie East
Violet Bank Drive
What's the best-kept secret in Virginia Beach? There's going to be a Republican primary for the State Senate on June 13. I am very proud to say I will be supporting Wally Erb.
Wally is the candidate with experience and conservative values to help the Republicans win a majority in the State Senate.
Christian Haddick
Virginia Beach
It's exciting to know that one candidate, conservative Wally Erb, has decided to address the issues. Only one candidate has decided to discuss solutions to the problems of our area. Only one candidate, Wally Erb, has stood in the past for conservative principles and will stand for them in the future.
Duke Sawyer
Taylor Road Teachers not cause of school budget hike
As we near the end of another very successful school year, those highly dedicated and nurturing professionals who play such a vital role in that success - teachers - are once again being economically and socially censured. This at a time when Beach teachers have been burdened with a myriad of administrative and management tasks under site-based management. And unlike business, where added compensation is a given for added contributions to productivity and outcomes, teachers have not been com-pensated whatsoever.
Adding insult to injury, recent reports have stated that the inordinate school operating-budget expansion is caused by ``teacher pay increases,'' an assertion which is just plain false. While it is true that teachers will receive a ``raise'' in the form of an ``experience step'' increment, this increase does not appreciably contribute to the $18 million budget increase. The step system is analogous to an escalator: Riders simply move up to where others previously were, and retiring teachers ``step off the pay scale,'' thus offsetting increases caused by hiring new teachers.
Additionally, Virginia Beach teachers will not receive any cost-of-living increase, thus causing the earning power and standard of living of every teacher in the system to be effectively stagnant, despite their increased years of service, additional responsibilities and development as professionals. Given these two factors, the non-salary portion of the operating budget actually balloons by 13 percent.
Can we honestly justify this course of economic erosion against those whom we entrust to teach our children and safeguard our future?
And beyond the mere economics, is it ethically and educationally in our best interest to require teachers to contend and overcome an ever-increasing litany of social failings which many social experts say is far beyond the remedy of the schools and of academics? What's wrong with this picture?
William H. (Bill) Carson II
Wayne Adamson
Professional Association
of Teachers by CNB