THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 26, 1995 TAG: 9510240538
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 136 lines
It has come to my attention that our police department is more interested in partisan politics than in supporting the candidate(s) who has helped law enforcement objectives.
Partisan politics doesn't get criminals off the street. Just because the leadership in the F.O.P. is Republican, does that justify supporting a candidate who has done nothing to get criminals off the street?
Sen. Stanley Walker has always supported law enforcement objectives. He helped to establish the Crime Commission and served as its first chairman. He also introduced the legislation that established the Forensic Science Academy and the Bureau of Forensic Science where police officers are trained in the collection of evidence. Under Sen. Walker's leadership as chairman of the Compensation and General Government Subcommittee, Virginia became the first state in the country to use DNA testing. He helped to restore over $1 million in funds for Norfolk that the Republican administration had cut.
Sen. Walker helped Chuck Griffith, our commonwealth's attorney, get five additional assistant commonwealth attorneys and four paralegals. That was part of a $54 million anti-crime package adopted by Sen. Walker.
So why did the F.O.P. decide to endorse Sen. Walker's opponent? Was it because of Dimitrios Rerras' work in block security as a block co-captain? Or did the F.O.P. support his opponent because he's Republican? Or maybe he made some really good promises - we all know about promises. Will supporting only Republicans help law enforcement? If the current Republican administration is any indication, we'll all be carrying concealed weapons with fewer officers on the street to protect us.
Playing partisan politics won't get criminals off the street. If you check Sen. Walker's record you'll see he only plays one game - getting law enforcement the tools they need to get criminals off the street.
Philip Walman
Granby Street Don't be fooled by talk
Without doubt, continued cuts in state funding to public school systems, to community colleges and to universities have threatened the ability of these institutions to accomplish their goals.
However, funding levels now are at a critical point and any additional reduction in state funding would jeopardize the education of youth in Virginia - from preschool through graduate school. Sen. Stanley Walker long has been a proponent of quality education.
It is through his efforts, in large part, that funds for education were not reduced to even greater levels. At a time when the Democratic governor wished to reduce funds for public education, and now, when a Republican governor wishes further to deny funds for public education, Sen. Walker has been steadfast in his support of the need for quality education for all Virginians.
Specifically, Sen. Walker continuously has supported the proposal that 100 percent of lottery proceeds be used to improve public education. Also, as chair of a Commission on Public Education, Sen. Walker supported and facilitated the passage of five initiatives including: increased parental involvement in our schools, dropout prevention, reduced class sizes, additional and higher quality preschool education, and increased educational technology. Last, Sen. Walker was instrumental in maintaining funding for a downtown Norfolk Tidewater Community College campus.
For these reasons I will support Stanley Walker for Senate.
Stephen W. Tonelson
Bolling Avenue Don't be fooled by talk
The last several months we have heard about the upcoming election for Clerk of the Norfolk Circuit Court. Don't be fooled.
First, the best candidate is one who has courthouse experience. If the question is lawyer versus politician for the job, take the lawyer. The wrong decision will affect your legal records and personal situation for many years. While not all clerks are lawyers, most clerks have worked their way up. If the Norfolk taxpayers are paying $92,000 a year to the clerk of court, they should demand the ``best qualified'' candidate to serve them. Don't accept less for your money.
Second, all the talk of computerization is just that - talk. Everyone already knows that in dealing with the legal system, original documents are essential. The real issue is record-keeping. The clerk's office has all currently available computer technology that is approved by the appropriate agencies and the law. Any rush to implement cutting-edge technology could needlessly cost the taxpayers money.
Third, integrity and honesty. Please, no politics. The clerk's authority is limited to the clerk's office. He has to have the respect of the judges, the attorneys, his staff and the public who rely on him daily.
As an employee, I want to know that the clerk is here to help and serve the public. Please vote to keep experience in the clerk's office and politicians in City Hall.
Joseph M. Rubino Jr.
Deputy clerk
Norfolk Circuit Court Pondering contributions
The other day I watched the president of the Red Cross, Elizabeth Dole, on TV making an ``urgent'' appeal for generous contributions to the Red Cross to help the victims of Hurricane Opal in Florida because Red Cross funds are ``dangerously depleted.''
Well, she can start by reducing her $200,000 a year salary by half. Or better yet, give it all back and volunteer to do the job for free as she is asking everybody else to do.
C.P. Anastasiades
Dominion Avenue Dangerous intersection
This is in regard to the stoplight at the intersection of Shoop Avenue and Tidewater Drive. When it turns green for Shoop Avenue, it stays green only 10 to 15 seconds, depending on the number of cars there are to turn onto Tidewater Drive. With such a short cycle, if you're walking across, you may have time to get halfway.
Last year I was hit there by a car. When I went to court for that, the judge said I was the guilty person, even though the light was green for Shoop Avenue (and me), because of knowing the light is on such a short cycle.
But sometimes you have to go across while the light is red for Shoop Avenue. When you start across while the light is green, because it is on such a short cycle, you may get about halfway across before it turns red for Shoop Avenue and green for Tidewater Drive. And there you are left in the middle of Tidewater Drive with traffic zooming by in both directions while you are waiting for the light to turn green again for Shoop Avenue. Very few people will stop to let you continue across, and this could take from 2 to 2 1/2 minutes.
Because of this, I'm suggesting that a walk light be put up for the safety of pedestrians who cross there. I cross there every day because I ride the bus to and from work.
Marion D. Herndon
Somme Avenue Governmental question
I would like to know if the Initiative, Referendum and Recall is written in the Norfolk City Charter? If so, it should be exercised; if not, why not? It could make our city a more democratic and harmonious place in which to live.
L. Kennedy-Wayshner
Chelsea Avenue by CNB