THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 10, 1995 TAG: 9509080203
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 285 lines
Considering that Portsmouth's bond rate has fallen, resulting in higher interest rates to be paid by the city on the issuance of public bonds to finance future projects and considering the depressed retail market in Portsmouth, it amazes me to learn that Portsmouth risks more economic hardship by building yet another retail shopping center in Portsmouth on the former Churchland High School site. It further amazes me, as I'm sure it will others, that the anticipated development will lease a proposed three-acre building to Caldor, a Northeast mega discount store that appears to be wavering between lien attachment and bankruptcy.
Last week, Caldor's stock set a new 52-week low, its lowest level in four years. Caldor's stock fell 68 percent from its 1994 peak. Financial analysts feel Caldor's fourth quarter will look even more bleak. Caldor appears unable to contend with the competitive giants: Wal-Mart and Kmart. At least three financial firms have cut off credit for Caldor to receive shipments from suppliers. Firms stop financing shipments when a company fails to make payments. If other financial firms follow suit, Caldor could be left without merchandise to sell. Its doors may be closing.
Our City Council has put all their trust, and ours, in a developer that is responsible for leasing space at the proposed shopping center to appropriate tenants. If the council continues to trust developers' exaggerated projections of a bright retail future, as they have in the past (for example, MidCity), we can all look toward rising taxes to pay the debt the city continues to amass from ill-fated economic projects and higher interest rates.
Colleen C. Frahm
Western Branch Boulevard
Aug. 28, 1995 Another escape
The Portsmouth Sheriff's department let another prisoner escape. How could this be? Do we need more training, or does the city just need to hire more deputies?
Remember the prisoner escape from Maryview Hospital after he overpowered the deputy and was later found by North Carolina officials?
Whatever happened to that deputy? Verified sources have informed me that the deputy was reprimanded. I was told that you are only as good as your supervisors, from the sheriff on down.
This doesn't look too good.
J. Reed
Jefferson Street
Aug. 31, 1995
Norfolk schools sturdier?
The letter in the Sunday, Sept. 3, Currents by Mary Parrish really stirred me to write. As a longtime taxpayer in Portsmouth, I feel I have the right to comment.
My very soon-to-be 80-year-old mother attended school in Norfolk - Stuart Elementary, Blair Junior and Maury High schools from which she graduated in 1933. All of the mentioned schools are still in use by Norfolk. For years, I have wondered why? Are Portsmouth students more destructive? Does Norfolk build better quality buildings?
If someone could tell me the answer, I'd really love to know.
Sybil H. Boggs
Aylwin Road
Sept. 3, 1995 Setting record straight
As president of the Park Manor Civic Club, I feel compelled to set the record straight about a few items that affect our community and our city. First, the Park Manor Civic Club does not now or has it ever endorsed the closure of the Clifford Street (City Park) bridge. Second, our club has voted in favor of keeping the causeway between Westhaven and Waterview open and we continue to support that position.
It is the general consensus in our community, that the closure of either the bridge or causeway would not serve in our city's best interest. Community sentiment is that all Portsmouth citizens pay taxes and deserve to travel the same roads as they have done for years. If the city strictly enforced some of our existing traffic laws, we may not have such a problem.
Brien K. Nance Sr.
President
Park Manor Civic Club
Sept. 3, 1995 Close the Causeway
I am extremely disappointed in Ida Kay Jordan's recent editorial wherein she stated that the traffic problem in Waterview was a police matter and did not warrant the closure of a public street.
Our civic league has been trying for over six years to solve this ever-increasing problem, with no success. Not one of the alternatives that has been discussed over the years has ever been implemented. We have been told by the chief of police that he does not have the manpower to monitor our streets on a regular basis. He and the traffic engineer both agree that any measures that would require additional police assistance would be fruitless - this includes one-way street signs, no-left or no-right turn signs, lowered speed limits, etc.
If Ms. Jordan had done some research, she would have discovered that we have exhausted all their avenues to minimize and/or eliminate this traffic problem. If there was a better way to solve our dilemma, it would have been done before now.
Although I am a lifelong resident of Portsmouth, I just moved to Waterview little more than a year ago. I was like the majority of folks who had no idea what the fuss was about, until I saw firsthand the incredible amount of through traffic, most of which was speeding. This neighborhood is not full of the ``high, swanky retired doctors and lawyers'' referenced in another recent article. Waterview is a pleasant mix of older residents and younger, working people with young children, no different from Westhaven or Park Manor.
There is no valid argument against closing the causeway. The traffic has become a danger to children, adults and property and the surrounding streets are well equipped to handle any changes in traffic problems. Emergency services such as fire, rescue and police have all stated that there will be no increased response time to any neighborhood if the causeway were closed.
The chief of police reports that closing the causeway would make the Waterview and Westhaven neighborhoods accessible through fewer routes, and would thus made them less attractive to criminals who look for more ``ways out'' or escape routes from areas they are targeting for burglaries, etc. The actual delay to through traffic would be approximately two minutes, per the Traffic Engineering Department.
Aren't we all after the same things - safer streets for our children, stable property values, and decreased crime?
City Council needs to examine its motives before deciding this important issue. They need to do what is best for the safety of Portsmouth's citizens and children - close the causeway.
Lori Ahuna
President
Waterview Civic League
Sept. 3, 1995 Keep connectors open
The Clifford Street bridge/causeway and the causeway between Westhaven and Waterview were built because they were needed.
The need is even greater today than it was then.
These are major connectors through the heart of the city. These connect the residential areas of Elizabeth Manor, Cavalier Manor, Park Manor, Hodges Manor, etc., with Churchland and the downtown area. They are as vital to this city as the Churchland Bridge.
Funeral processions need these shortcuts to the cemetery. Fire trucks and police cars need these shortcuts. Boat owners with trailers need these shortcuts to the launching ramp. Golfers, tennis players, picnickers, families with children, and Little Leaguers all depend on these two causeways to get to Portsmouth's City Park.
The Clifford Street bridge/causeway and the Westhaven Waterview causeway should not be closed, but instead should they should be maintained in good repair.
Elizabeth Parker Stokes
Elmhurst Lane
Sept. 4, 1995 Be thankful for traffic
I am a native of Portsmouth. Never in my 65 years have I read and heard such heated comments on matters pertaining to neighborhoods, traffic, stop signs, lights, etc., and the recent ones.
The present economic condition of the city and the need for a stronger tax base makes me wonder why we are complaining about traffic.
This does not mean that I am opposed to anything enhancing the safety factor being done, such as additional traffic lights, stop signs, etc. But what do we say that residents of Waterview only want residents of their neighborhood using their streets; residents on London Boulevard complaining about traffic on this major east-west street; and a councilman who wants to close the City Park bridge?
My answer to all of this is: The city of Portsmouth should be thankful for all the traffic it can get!
Regretfully, just go and stand on the corner of Elmhurst Lane and Portsmouth Boulevard and really see some traffic! It's everyone on their way to Chesapeake Square Mall! Come on, Portsmouth - let's worry about something really important!
G.S. Hale
Shore Drive
Sept. 4, 1995 Segregation again
I would like to shed a little light on a fact of what is happening in society to black people as a group.
Either we can't see what is happening or we just don't care. Are we going to have to have our heads opened up and have it branded into our brains in order to see the ``big picture?'' Are we going to sit back and watch the rest of the world pass us by, steadily progressing while we continue to regress?
Each day we relinquish certain rights and liberties by not demanding them or exercising them. Rights and liberties that others before us fought and some even died for that we would be treated as equals.
We unquestionably allow municipalities to make decisions which govern our lives, even though sometimes these decisions are in direct contrast with our best interests.
Prime example: Look closely at the Portsmouth Public School District. In March 1994, two plans were approved. One to rezone the schools and another allowing open enrollment. In September 1994 parents were presented with the option under open enrollment to select which school that they wished their child to attend.
Then in July 1995 letters were mailed designating which school students were zoned to attend. The letter explained Portsmouth Public Schools' implementation of a new K-5 zoning plan stating that all of our elementary schools will serve students in grades K-5 with some also housing pre-kindergarten programs. It further explained that the main purpose of this realignment is to keep our children in the same school in their communities for six or seven years rather than the numerous changes some students have had to make under our current zoning.
The implementation of this new program, ``Community Attendance Zoning,'' means that these children are no longer in a diversified environment, but rather a very restricted one: Segregation. Can we as a group not see this?
Look further down the road for our children - growth, education, development, job opportunity. Do we really want our children to suffer through what we did?
This need not happen. You have a voice. Use it.
You have a choice.
Dorothy A. White
Edwards St.
Sept. 6, 1995 Victim of hit-and-run
It is only by the grace of God that I am able to write this letter.
On Saturday, Sept. 2, my automobile was hit by a hit-and-run driver. The driver hit my car, looked at me and proceeded to put his car in reverse and raced from the scene of the crime.
There were many people in the area at the time. I chose to call it a crime because for all the driver knew, I could have been dying.
Special thanks to Ms. Chris Banks who stayed with me until the police and paramedics arrived. She must truly be one of God's angels who was sent to watch over and comfort me.
Thanks to the Portsmouth policemen (Portsmouth's finest) for the quick action in apprehending the driver who hit me. Many thanks to those other persons in the area who showed their concern.
Doris Boone
Chisholm Circle
Sept. 4, 1995 He'll support Talbot
It's hard to believe another election is only two months away. Although this election has not received a lot of newspaper coverage, the results could be very important.
For example, how many people can name the Portsmouth Clerk of Court? If you figured it out, I'm willing to say not many. I have had one person come and explain the office to me. His name is George Talbot. He understands what the average citizen wants in an office. It's because of his visit, I want everyone of my friends to support George Talbot for Portsmouth Clerk of Court.
Joe Brown
Greenwood Drive
Aug. 30, 1995 She like Talbot, too
For many people politics is something that does not really matter. I don't know how many times I have heard that whomever I vote for, it's not going to change the system. I have always felt like this until recently when George Talbot came by my home. I have never met any person running for an office who is willing to spend so much time with me. He seemed to have a good understanding of the Portsmouth Clerk of Court's office and what is needed for our city. It is with this reason I am voting for George Talbot in November for Portsmouth Clerk of Court.
Pat Farris
Sunset Lane
Sept. 4, 1995 Night Out is big success
My heart is so full that it is difficult to find the right words to express what transpired during this year's National Night Out Against Crime in the city of Portsmouth.
Sgt. Steve Jackson, commander of the Portsmouth Police Crime Prevention Unit, was able to inspire us all by letting us know that every citizen counted. He told us we were important, that he appreciated what we were doing, but the spark that ignited the fire and the spirit behind our endeavors was that we knew and felt we had the backing of our city manager, mayor, council, chief of police, sheriff, fire chief and on down the line.
Even though the hours and amount of time invested by the Crime Prevention Unit had been markedly reduced (Neighborhood Impact Officers Training had been scheduled at the same time) the National Night Out Committee knew that our commander believed in our cause! Twenty-seven volunteers manned the Tower Mall headquarters (donated by the management) along with the aid of Leon Whitehurst. We knew that this would become the best National Night Out Against Crime that had ever been a part of the city of Portsmouth. The sheer energy that was generated from our activities, the motorcades and entertainment was enormous.
Citizens do count, we can make a difference and we need the support of each one. I pray that we can continue on in the same spirit and make Portsmouth the safest city in America!
A big thank you to all the Neighborhood Watch groups, Portsmouth Crime Prevention Steering Committee, Portsmouth Police Crime Prevention Unit, Sheriff's Department and everyone involved in making National Night Out Against Crime 1995 a success.
We thank Police Chief Dennis Mook for giving us our sense of community back! We are looking for bigger and better opportunities to work with the Portsmouth Crime Prevention Unit - a unit that has heart!
Gaile Bishop
Co-chairperson
National Night Out Committee '95 by CNB