THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 26, 1995 TAG: 9510240111
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
Straightening the record
I am alarmed at Randy Wright's apparent disregard for the truth. An Oct. 12 Compass letter to the editor from Don Williams, a longtime confidant of Randy Wright, stated that the Norfolk Republican Party solicited Mr. Wright to run as a Republican. Mr. Williams' statement is false and reprehensible.
I chaired the committee responsible for recruiting qualified individuals to run as Republicans in this year's elections. We held a number of meetings to discuss potential candidates to run for clerk of the Circuit Court. We talked to community leaders and developed criteria for a qualified candidate. Al Teich satisfied every criteria and represented the caliber of individuals we have supported in the past such as Bob McCabe and Chuck Griffith.
At no time did my committee or the executive committee of the Norfolk Republican Party ever discuss Randy Wright as a potential candidate. At no time did my committee or the Norfolk Republican Party ever meet with Randy Wright to discuss his potential candidacy. Any representation to the contrary is a bold misstatement of the truth.
Mr. Williams is right in one respect. The Republicans are mad. We are mad at politicians who openly express a desire to develop a political machine at the expense of the citizens of Norfolk. The Republicans are mad that the Democrats continue to emphasize partisanship over qualifications. We are mad that Mr. Wright has failed to be honest with the citizens of Norfolk. We hope the citizens of Norfolk refuse to reward Mr. Wright's dishonesty and elect Al Teich as clerk of the court.
John D. Padgett
Chairman,
Norfolk Republican Party
Recruiting Committee
He's supporting Wright
In the election for clerk of Norfolk Circuit Court, let me offer voters some observations that may influence their decisions on Nov. 7.
Compare the positive style and information-education emphasis of the Randy Wright campaign with the needless personal attacks and innuendo of Al Teich and his handful of paid followers. Randy Wright utilizes his campaign to tell the voters how he would use the clerk's position to educate Norfolk's school children about our justice system.
He offers a program of total quality management to help bring the office into the 21st century, both technologically and philosophically. Customer service satisfaction would be a priority with Randy.
As an employer hiring an employee, I would choose a man like Randy with a positive attitude and strong work ethic over a constant naysayer.
I have known Randy for over a decade. I am proud to volunteer to work for him on election day. His qualifications are 20 years managing a business in the private sector and over 14 years of legal experience dealing with the 700 duties specified in the Virginia Code related to the clerk of court's office. Randy is the only qualified candidate running based on experience, personal values and work ethic.
Charles P. Pierce
Benwood Road An upsetting preview
I was enraged by The Compass' Eastern District field hockey preview. It is upsetting that the major focus of this article was once again Maury High School. Newspapers are supposed to be unbiased reporters of the facts - not opinion forums.
All of the high schools in this district are trying their very best to hold their own. When the public reads what Lee Tolliver has written, they have already made up their minds what the outcome will be. The intensity level of our district race has yet again decreased because you have pre-determined us to be losers.
Well, we are all winners simply because we play the game. Lee Tolliver has somehow lost sight that winning is in the trying.
Erin Harkins
Field hockey captain
Lake Taylor High School by CNB