THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, October 19, 1995             TAG: 9510170105
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS          PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL LETTERS TO THE 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   80 lines

Strongly behind Walker As a Norfolk native, I am writing on behalf of state Sen. Stanley Walker, of the 6th Senate District, who has done an incredible job for the Commonwealth of Virginia but most particularly must rank high in creating, with Tom Moss, the most able leadership this city has ever seen. We should not, of course, support Sen. Walker merely because of what he has done for Norfolk but primarily for record innovation and leadership in the whole state of Virginia. With Sen. Walker as chairman of the General Government Committee, a $54 million anti-crime package was adopted and over $10 million was restored to local police departments that were to be cut by the current administration. In 1988, as chairman of the Compensation and General Government Subcommittee, Sen. Walker helped persuade Virginia to become the first state in the country to create the ability to test DNA, with over 1,000 samples having been tested, resulting in over 700 convictions. Sen. Walker also introduced legislation that established the Forensic Science Academy for all of Virginia's police to utilize. Sen. Walker's opponents are taking the position that he is a stick in the mud, an older guy. I say that he is the most honest, highly principled stick-in-the-mud old guy I have ever encountered, with some of the newest and most innovative ideas anybody in that position has ever had. In Hampton Roads we really can't afford George Allen's ``new lineup.'' No region in the state enjoyed the legislative clout as here in Hampton Roads, but if Allen has his way, we sure won't enjoy it much longer. W. Barton Baldwin Koger Center He's supporting Drake On Nov. 7, voters in Norfolk's 87th District will be called upon to decide which of two candidates will speak for them in Richmond. In my humble, straightforward and strongly held opinion, that candidate will be Thelma Drake. I have known Thelma to be a generous, kind, hard-working, civic-minded individual for a number of years. Those who know her are well aware of Thelma's involvement in the community ranging from starting neighborhood block security programs to serving as president of the Granby High PTA. As a professional businesswoman in the real estate field, I submit that few other people are as well-versed as she on the problems, challenges and possibilities for the 87th District and for the city of Norfolk. Her involvement in civic, educational and economic affairs of the district, as well as her involvement in the Republican City Committee, have combined to give Thelma a unique perspective on what issues are of concern to citizens of the district. A conversation with Thelma reveals her strong values and belief in issues such as: honest and open selection of judges, higher standards of educational excellence, and a return to tried and true methods for dealing with crime. She also is a tight-fisted fiscal conservative. It is no surprise that Thelma garnered 47 percent of the vote during the 1993 election, for she had struck a deep and resonant chord among those of us who were disaffected and dissatisfied with the status quo. With respect to Howard Copeland's record, let me say that since 1980 state spending has skyrocketed 300 percent. Today, Virginia's personal tax exemption is the 49th worst in the nation. On Nov. 7, voters in the 87th District will have a clear choice between Thelma Drake with grassroots support among ordinary people, or Howard Copeland, a professional politician with the support of the Democratic Party machine. Rick Williams Skyline Drive

He's supporting Teich

This is in reply to the Oct. 5 Compass letter to the editor from Eloise LaBeau concerning the Clerk of Court election.

It seems to me that the best candidate for this office is the one with the best education and background in law. Al Teich must surely know the law. He is a lawyer. As for not being business oriented, is the practice of law not a business? If elected, he will be able to advise patrons in a professional manner and assist in the proper way to file legal documents. He will be a great asset to our city and hold this office in the confidential manner that is required by this position.

Brian C. Lee

Wharton Avenue by CNB