THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 28, 1995 TAG: 9507270149
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
About the article in Sunday's paper, ``Home on the Range, Gunning for a permit'': I, as a firearms instructor, do not feel that three hours and $30 qualifies anybody to carry a firearm under the state law.
Police officers have to attend an approved course that contains more than 40 hours of intense training. They have to pass with a minimum score and then the department they work for requires them to qualify at least two times a year. The Department that I work for even requires that we qualify higher than the minimum state requirement.
Yes, if you have guessed, I am a police officer, and I am concerned for my safety and that of my family when for $30 and three hours somebody tells a judge that they are qualified to carry a firearm.
I am sure that this was not the intent of the lawmakers, but I do not and cannot explain their intent, nor can anybody else.
K.W. McLendon
Marble Arch Remember their names
My sincere thanks you for publishing the names of the councilmen who voted against the referendum on growth.
Come next November, we now know how to vote.
I only hope every citizen will clip the article and save it, so as not to forget any names.
Tony Slapikas
Prescott Circle Include South Norfolk
About two months ago I read that the city of Norfolk ordered a study to be made regarding what effect the removal of public housing in the downtown area would have on the community.
I hope that this study will include the little hamlet of South Norfolk located just outside of Norfolk. Being centrally located, South Norfolk has been receiving the fallout of everyone's redevelopment.
We are a medium income community with a great deal of elderly people. We would all like to stay here and hope our way of life could be preserved. But, to tell the truth, it seems to be changing every day. And no one seems to care.
I hope Chesapeake City Council will look into this study.
Gloria E. Haskett
Virginia Avenue Abandoned animals
On July 12, I saw a beautiful golden labrador standing in the middle of the road on the corner of Benefit and Shillelagh Road. My first thought was that the beautiful animal had strayed from its home.
On July 19, I was traveling my usual route from school I noticed the once-beautiful Labrador standing in the road. The dog's ravished body was a sight to see, especially considering that the heat was well over 100 degrees.
It was then I realized that this faithful dog was still waiting for his owner.
Upset about what I saw, I went home and filled containers with water and food and delivered it to the general area. Then I called the police to notify them of this act of neglect and abandonment.
This letter is for all of you people who think dumping faithful, loving animals is giving them a second chance, in actuality you are convicting them to death.
That is why we have the Animal Control Bureau. They are people who truly love animals. They protect them from speeding cars, abusing humans the the 100-degree heat.
This beautiful animal would have been better off in the air conditioning. The dog would have had food, water and a chance to be adopted by a truly loving family.
Stephanie R. Lewis
Benefit Road by CNB