THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 13, 1995 TAG: 9508130233
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 159 lines
On Sunday, Aug. 6, you published a letter from B. Simon who stated: ``I feel that the city is causing a major disaster upon itself. Let me point out that Portsmouth is below sea level and the waterway you all are agreeing on will indeed cause severe flooding around the area of the proposed site.'' The proposed site is not located or otherwise described in the letter as quoted.
First, I would like to aver that the city of Portsmouth is not below sea level unless we are considering the Elizabeth River and its estuaries as part of the city. It is true that on occasions of torrential downpours, certain streets flood from inadequate drainage and on very rare occasions, as in the great storm of the early '30s, the river has overflowed its banks and flooded downtown sections of High Street and other streets at the same elevation. These floodings, rare as they have been, are not an indication that the city is below sea level. Norfolk and Virginia Beach have had similar problems with high water.
I find it hard to believe that a newspaper of the stature of The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star approved the publishing of such an inaccurate statement. It is particularly hard to understand how it could appear in the Currents, a section that I had considered as devoted to building the image of Portsmouth. I wonder how many visitors to the area read this letter and took this message away with them. Such foolishness will not encourage new residents or necessarily enhance tourism.
On another subject: There have been many articles discussing the controversial Norcom High School. We have been told that the new high school is not needed to take care of the present and probable future numbers of students. We now learn that it is expected to cost $35 million which the city must borrow. We also now know that the bond rating of the city has fallen so that the cost of these bonds will be greater than expected. One fact rarely mentioned by advocates of bond issues is that the initial sum is only the amount the organization floating the bond issue will receive, but that in no way indicates the true cost of the bond issue. The true cost includes the cost of the interest which the borrower must pay over the term of the bonds. The true cost will therefore be considerably more than $35 million depending on the interest rate and the number of years' interest to be paid.
Another fact of interest to me, but one glossed over by all the articles I have read, is that several parcels of land are being removed from the tax rolls to provide sufficient area for this project. This is a serious consideration in Portsmouth which already has so much land exempt from property taxes.
Are we wise to go ahead with this heavy expenditure of funds for a building that we have been told is not necessary? I recommend that all citizens look at this question without emotion and consider what is good for Portsmouth now and for the future.
James A. Brown
Elizabeth Place
Aug. 8, 1995 Thanks from HER
I wish to take this opportunity to say thank you to the staff, volunteers, donors and the community for its generous support of the HER shelter's flea market, yard sale and raffle July 22.
Held on the property of Green Acres Presbyterian Church, the event was an enormous success. The receipts totaled more than $1,900 and will be used toward the purchase of furniture for our new shelter for victims of domestic violence.
Without the continuous support of so many, we could not provide the services for victims of abuse. Our new shelter should be completed and ready for occupancy by late fall. If you care to assist us in our efforts as a volunteer or wish to contribute to our building fund, contact us at the HER Shelter, P.O. Box 1515, Portsmouth, Va. 23704.
Sandra C. Becker
Executive Director
July 24, 1995 Remember failures
Recently, in the editorial column of the Currents, you stated that the Portsmouth City Council had no other alternative but to accept the bid of the developer to put a discount store and super market on the old Churchland high school site. You also said that if the store or supermarket failed, the developer would see that another business would be placed in this space.
I would like you and the Portsmouth City Council to stop and think about what happened to Tower Mall and MidCity shopping centers. Did the developers replace the empty spaces? Do we want another empty shopping center in Portsmouth?
I would suggest an upscale shopping center based on the concept of Berkeley Commons in Williamsburg.
Selene M. Thomas
5600 Greenfield Drive
Aug. 2, 1995
Wishing Milton Donn well
In November, Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority will acquire the Allan's Furniture Building at Effingham and High streets.
I have known Milton Donn many years. Mr. Donn has had has stores in three different locations in the 700 block of High Street over the past 56 years he has been in business here in Portsmouth.
Mr. Donn is a resident of Norfolk and in the past 56 years he has supported the members of the City Council and the citizens of Portsmouth.
Mr. Donn is a friend of many and will be greatly missed from downtown Portsmouth. We wish him the very best, and hope he will visit our city often in his retirement.
Gerald B. Myers
Reese Drive
Aug. 8, 1995 Alcoholic grateful
I was touched by the spirit and I came to see that it was God who touched me.
I was a drunk, today I'm a grateful alcoholic. Why am I grateful?
I found the room for Alcoholics Anonymous and if I live to see Wednesday, I will have reached nine years without drinking.
I attend meetings at the 12 and 12 Club and Portsmouth Serenity at Portsmouth General Hospital. The meetings at the hospital are at 7 p.m. Sunday.
The 12 and 12 Club meets at noon daily at 453 Court St.
``Big John'' Garris
Portsmouth
Aug. 9, 1995 `Gospelrama' a success
Thanks to all who helped make ``Gospelrama'' a success.
HOPS (Helping Others Progress Successfully) would like to thank all of the soloists, singing groups, volunteers and all who participated in making the annual Unity Gospelrama Celebration a success.
Thanks to the audience who stayed out in the rain in full numbers until the end.
You let us know how much you love this celebration.
Christine M. Davis
Gospelrama coordinator
Portsmouth
Aug. 9, 1995 No anger evident
I was very much surprised to read the editorial, ``Woodbine residents upset,'' and its reference to anger displayed at the recent Portsmouth City Council meeting.
I attended that meeting from beginning to end and saw no display of anger from either side. What I observed was all speakers and attendees handling themselves with dignity and displaying respect for the council and all speakers. I have great difficulty understanding how the editor could have seen it so differently.
I am not a resident of Woodbine, but I, too, oppose the development. Your statement that the ``financial condition of Caldor is invalid since the developers would find a new tenant should Caldor fail'' suggested to me that some observation on your part would prove useful. Finding new tenants for a large space is not easy. It if were, MidCity and Tower Mall would be full and the ``big box'' stores on Airline Boulevard would have enjoyed a different fate.
I respect the council and appreciate its efforts to bring new business into the city. However, this is a business decision and from stock market indications, Caldor is a loser, not a winner. In the last 12 months, Caldor's stock has declined 58 percent while the market has had unusual growth. Apparently, investors have no faith in Caldor.
Douglas M. Joyner
Riveredge Drive
Aug. 2, 1995 by CNB