THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 6, 1995 TAG: 9508040210
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 111 lines
Military fires back in the `battle for the bands'
Surely this is not the same Virginia Beach that recently fought to save NAS Oceana from the base-closure commission. Surely this is not the same city that said we love our Navy and we love the millions of federal dollars pumped into our local economy.
Now that the base-closure threat is over, we have Sen. Chuck Robb, attorney Moody Stallings and Cellar Door president Bill Reid whining about the Navy's concert series sponsored by the Morale, Welfare & Recreation Department at the Little Creek Amphibious Base (``Not working in concert,'' Beacon, July 23).
Reid claims he knows the market. Nine shows at Little Creek are ``drying up the market''? Perhaps Mr. Reid is not the expert he fancies himself to be if nine concerts are all that's out there and Little Creek got them first.
Sen. Robb says, ``I am concerned that opening attendance to the non-military public goes beyond the mission of the MWR department.'' Moody Stallings says, ``I don't care whether they want to justify it or not. I want it to stop being open to the public.'' Does this extend to all base entertainment open to the public - no more air shows, ships and military band concerts? Does the cry of unfair competition apply to concerts at Scope, Chrysler Hall, Harrison Opera House, the Boat-house and Waterside? Why not do away with all possible competition to ensure the success of the city's amphitheater?
Yes, again Virginia Beach is showing just how much it loves the Navy. It loves the Navy dollars as long as the Navy stays away from their entertainment turf. Sorry, gentlemen, but your attitude and comments reek of ``sailors and dogs keep off the grass'' to me.
Cynthia M. Jeanguenat
Virginia Beach
As much as I might disagree with the parochial and entirely profit-motivated attitude of the promoters and their city-government camp followers toward the `totally tax-dollars-free'' MWR concert program at NAB Little Creek, they have a right to their opinion. Seems to me that's what the military spends most of its time defending.
However, I consider the gratuitous comment by the attorney for Cellar Door, Moody Stallings, a personal affront. ``Bring in Bob Hope? Bring in some dancing girls?'' Just who does he think populates today's all-volunteer force?
The generally underrated members of our military family are no different than the other 40 percent of Tidewater's population. Look around, please. They raise families next door to you. They pay taxes, go to the same schools and buy their gas from the same businesses as you. They also enjoy the same entertainment, generally, as the rest of young America.
The military in Mr. Stallings' mind's eye has been gone for years. His comment insulted not only each male member of the military; it specifically relegated our fine female contingent to second-class status. Shame!
This is the old Norfolk mentality, a view that is antiquated, sexist and wrong. I suggest an apology to 60 percent of the population is due.
Karl W. Bogott
Virginia Beach
Entertainment competition - no. Sour grapes - yes.
For once we see someone working for the U.S. government doing a good job and what happens:
A rear admiral says, ``Forget the performance pennant; adjust fire.''
A lawyer isn't aware that Bob Hope is of ``a national nature.'' Should the Navy get Bob Hope to the Little Creek Amphibious Base, I know there will be some people trying to get free tickets and asking for a front-row seat.
A businessman informs the U.S. Navy what its purpose is in the community; after all, he knows what's going on.
Buyer beware: Our city leaders are giving notice to all citizens that they have found a new source of tax revenue; and after having allocated $17.7 million, they have the foresight to know that even before the amphitheater is built and the first tickets sold they are going to lose money, thus reminding us of one of their leadership traits: ``Follow me, and I shall catch up.''
Now for the dancing girls: Under the present system we enjoy in this country, someone can go to the same lawyer who in turn can go to the same U.S. senator and complain that there are no male dancers at the Little Creek Amphibious Base.
George Gault
1 of 60%
Virginia Beach
Here seems to be a big opportunity for ``Resort City''! Are plans being considered to turn this ``battle'' for the bands into a public-relations opportunity that most resort cities would die for?
With a little coordination, Little Creek and the Virginia Beach Amphitheater might be able to schedule competing events that are aimed at slightly different market segments (e.g., on the same evening, country and Western at one site and ``alternative music'' or some other popular format at the other).
Myrtle Beach is a tourist success because it has so many competing/cooperating golf courses. Could not Virginia Beach benefit from competing/cooperating concerts? Further, the competing/cooperating concerts could make Virginia Beach a tourist destination before the Atlantic warms up in May and after the weather cools in September.
Has this opportunity been objectively considered by City Council?
Robert C. Armour
Virginia Beach
The key to Gaston:
arms for water?
Maybe we should have elected Oliver North to the U.S. Senate after all. He could have solved Virginia Beach's water problem by selling arms to Jesse Helms in exchange for an end to North Carolina's objection to the Lake Gaston Pipeline.
Debbie L. Close
Virginia Beach by CNB