THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 12, 1995 TAG: 9510110273
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 165 lines
In response to a Sept. 28 letter to the editor from Paul C. Gillis, president of the Suffolk Branch of the NAACP, and his promise of setting the record straight: His memory seems to be somewhat clouded and the facts askew.
1) The initiative to create an industrial park and race track on Nansemond Parkway was brought to City Council in an executive session by the city manager and staff. Initially, they were encouraged to proceed with the full support of council.
2) The initiative to relocate a polling place from the Elephant's Fork community to a more centrally located area, in the vicinity of the Wilroy Baptist Church, was brought to council by the Electoral Board.
3) My appearance at a Suffolk School Board meeting and subsequent speech was in response to concerns voiced to me about violence and other problems at Nansemond River High School, which is within the Nansemond Borough.
4) As for the Westhaven Lakes sewer project, Mr. Gillis has again conveniently failed to tell the whole story. This project, on the CIP budget from at least '90-'91, had received funding of approximately $145,000 prior to my being elected to council.
To the best of my knowledge, once projects have been placed on a CIP budget and received funding, council has subsequently appropriated the necessary funds to complete them. Two recent examples would be Nansemond Gardens and Pughsville.
Mr. Gillis also failed to mention that eight of the first 25 subdivisions, approximately 32 percent, mentioned on the report prepared by the Health Department in 1992, have either had sewer extended to them, are in the process of receiving it now or have been approved for funding. Another oversight by Mr. Gillis was his failure to state that four of these eight subdivisions, or 50 percent, are of low to moderate income and are predominantly African-American. All the projects are on the same list. The city does not keep a separate list for black and white communities as Mr. Gillis would have you believe!
5) Yes, I called for a vote of confidence for the city attorney because I felt it was warranted. Apparently, six other members of council felt the same way. This was in no way intended to signal dissatisfaction with the head housing inspector, Vanessa Savage. As there are only three employees who work directly for City Council, it is rather difficult to give anyone else a vote of confidence.
However, at the Oct. 6 council meeting, Ms. Savage and her entire staff were recognized and commended for a job well done. I fully believe that as the Systematic Inspection Program gains speed, it will produce the desired results.
Mr. Gillis' remark that I attempted to bring negative publicity upon the Suffolk Branch of the NAACP is not only presumptuous but totally false. The Nansemond Borough is approximately 60 percent African-American. My sole intent in going to the meeting was another effort to reach out to the community and citizens who make up a majority of the borough that I was elected to represent.
Mr. Gillis should find it interesting that the votes cast by the African-American community are the reason that I was elected. I could not have won without their support. Evidently they have more confidence in me and my ability to address their concerns than does Mr. Gillis.
I will continue to make every effort to address the concerns of all my constituents, black and white alike. I will also pursue membership in the NAACP, as I believe I have something positive to contribute to the organization. We all live in the same world and, by working together, I believe we can make it a better place for everyone.
Richard R. Harris
Councilman, Nansemond Borough
Suffolk
MORE LETTERS/ 7 There just isn't room for all at Peanut Fest
Booking the talent for the Peanut Fest is, at best, a difficult task. We deeply appreciate the approximately 150 entertainer inquiries about being on this year's schedule. It is impossible for me to respond to each of them, as I also have my own business to operate. Time just will not permit.
We have some entertainers who have appeared before and now think they deserve to do it every year. This cannot be, as we need to include others who have not been able to appear yet. Sometimes, because of a popular demand, we do return some local favorites, but this too is not forever.
Another part of the selection formula is based on the sponsoring radio station's format. We can't put country bands on Classic Hits 106.9's stage, or rock bands on the WCMS country stage, etc.
I want to personally thank each entertainer who applied and assure them that their materials sent were viewed, heard and considered. Maybe another year will find them on the schedule of talent.
One more thing that needs to be mentioned is that we are including more and more nationally recognized talent in an effort to bring a more powerful talent line-up to our festival guests. Also, it is necessary to provide more national artists to satisfy the requirements of our sponsors, radio and business alike. We have a very diversified line-up as to include all musical preferences of our guests, as well as include all the different radio formats in our listening area. We have something for everyone at Peanut Fest.
Our entertainer friends are valued and appreciated. We hope to work with them as circumstances permit.
Charles W. Smith
Co-Chair and Entertainment
Coordinator
1995 Suffolk Peanut Fest Doubts Harris' motives
Disgust is my sentiment when I read of happenings such as occur in our City Council. It is my conclusion that the motives of Richard Harris are in question.
First, let me address the issue of his pursuing membership in the NAACP. His statement is that he wanted to join the organization to learn more about his constituents. The joining of an organization, in my opinion, should be due to the agreement of philosophies, ideas and work habits to bring about an accomplishment of common goals. If his purpose is learn about the constituents, then I conclude in my mind he views such actions as a laboratory of said studies.
Secondly, I'm in disbelief that his response to the accusation and purpose of his bringing weapons in council meetings will be commented upon when appropriate. Does he not by his position as a council representative owe his constituents a response? I believe so!
Thirdly, it is frightening to me to think that Harris may have a weapon in council meetings, in light of his loss of temper at the meetings. If our council meetings have come to such a state, let us spend tax dollars for a bullet proof shield surrounding the representatives.
Actions speak louder than words. I would hope Mr. Gillis would reconsider running for City Council! We certainly need a replacement, especially someone sensitive to the needs of the citizens and without bias!
Virginia S. Dixon
Dayle Acres Road
Suffolk Where was the respect?
Recently, I attended a Suffolk City Council meeting with my peers from the Nansemond River High School dual credit biology class, concerning the Driver Radio and Transmitting Facility.
I was appalled at the treatment we received. We were looked upon as if we were juvenile delinquents incapable of making a worthwhile contribution to the topic at hand. We received several rude comments and numerous impolite stares. With such a tremendous lack of support from our elders, it is no wonder that the Suffolk School System is trapped in the dark ages. The people of the community need to realize that the same students they look down upon will make or break Suffolk's future. I would like to strongly emphasize that today's students are Suffolk's future voters, businessmen, teachers, doctors, etc. If the community cannot support Suffolk students now, then why should they be expected to support the community later?
Teresa Kinner
Nansemond River High School
student
Winona Trail
Suffolk Keep up the patrols
Thank you, Suffolk Police, for monitoring those traffic lights on U.S. 58 West.
My 16-year-old daughter miraculously survived a tractor-trailer truck crashing into her on the driver's side as she proceeded through her green light.
The feelings and emotions parents experience when they are told at the scene of the accident that their child was transported by the Nightingale to Norfolk General cannot be expressed.
If excessive monitoring of traffic lights on 58 West will deter drivers from speeding and running red lights, gee, it just might save some people from a serious accident resulting with injuries or death.
Jack Kress
Suffolk by CNB