THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 1, 1995 TAG: 9509290170
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
The license plate reads: ``For official government use only.''
It seems that there are some individuals in the Portsmouth city leadership circle that need lessons in reading. At two recent Democratic campaign kick-offs, taxpayers funded the attendees.
At one event there were more than 15 marked sheriff cars and numerous unmarked cars involved in the ``show.'' Inside 17 uniformed individuals were counted. This sure looks like an abuse of city funds case for the Justice Department.
At another event within the week this behavior was again repeated. Numerous personnel were evident that were representing the apparent blessing of city leadership.
In light of the forecast of the very likely takeover of the Virginia General Assembly, I believe the city of Portsmouth owes the Republican/conservative representation of its citizens an apology. The longtime philosophy that Portsmouth is a Democratic city is over. It's time for a change for the antics of several years of liberal/failed policies.
Fellow voters, stand up with the growing majority and demand a change in leadership. Please do not tolerate continued misuse and abuse of our meager city funds.
Cast your vote for Sen. Fred Quayle, Dan Evans (79th District), Dutch Andrews (80th District) and George Talbot for Clerk of Court.
Caroline Barnes, chairman
Republican City Committee
Elm Avenue
Sept. 25, 1995 Lead called child killer
Kids' No. 2 killer: lead.
The city of Portsmouth environmentalists are a child's worst enemy. . . .
They are well aware that every other house or apartment in the Tidewater area has lead contamination. The majority of residents built before 1972 or 1973 had lead and the landlords refuse to replace the pipes or paint with lead block paint. But isn't it up to the city to go through the charts and stay on the landlords' backs to make sure that this is corrected? The landlords don't inform the city that they change tenants because that's a good way to get away with getting an inspection.
My residence was recently condemned because of lead infestation. Kids were placed in foster care because Social Services wouldn't allow me the time to move or get a family member to get custody of my children. The city would not write me a referral for housing.
The Portsmouth Health Department and city environmentalists did not come back into the home to see if the owner appealed their requests for repairs. The public is asking for the city to do its job to save our children. If your chief complaint is that the No. 1 killer among our youths is guns, then what about the No. 2 killer - lead?
Joyce L. Tucker
Chestnut Street
Sept. 18, 1995 Parents deserve credit
I would like to thank Robert A. Jones for the letter of praise of the staff of the Portsmouth Circuit Court. But, as the deputy clerk who helped him with his mother's estate, I would like to refer to his statements.
In whatever manner this upcoming election turns out, I, for one, will continue to try to be concerned, courteous and helpful to any person who needs my attention for probate or is concerned about a subject of any other department, and direct them as best I can to find information or a deputy clerk who can help them as I am sure most of the deputies of our court have and will continue to do.
I would like to thank my parents for this kind of teaching as part of my upbringing. This was well established before my days in court.
Catherine S. Wiggins
Deputy Clerk
Portsmouth Circuit Court
Sept. 25, 1995
Thanks for circus tickets
To the Portsmouth FOP Lodge No. 20 and the Hampton Roads FOP Lodge No. 50, we would like to send thanks for the tickets to the circus for our family.
We usually help pay for tickets, but this year our house burned down and the Portsmouth FOP donated them.
The Godbey family
Fiske Street
Sept. 16, 1995 by CNB