THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 29, 1995 TAG: 9510270202
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 240 lines
Making and keeping our schools safe are educational objectives of the highest priority.
Teachers cannot teach, and students cannot learn when instructional time is lost due to the disruptive behavior of even a few.
To help teachers maintain order and control of their classrooms, Gov. George Allen proposed legislation in the 1995 legislative session to protect teachers from frivolous lawsuits when they act in good faith to break up fights, remove weapons, discipline students, address medical emergencies and provide care and attention.
On a virtual party line vote, this sensible and prudent protection for teachers, parents and students was killed by Democrats.
This points to an out-of-touch, blatant disregard for real world concerns of educators, parents and students. I am disappointed in the lack of support and respect for the educational system and the dedicated individuals trying to make this a better, kinder, more intelligent and literate world - from the superintendent to the classroom aide.
This irresponsible voting by our elected representatives places educators in a Catch-22 situation in which they remain legally liable if they do not assist in safety related, critical or dangerous encounters and, now, also legally liable if they do provide intervention and assistance.
Let us vote into office individuals who will work with the Allen program to improve and enhance all facets of education.
Faith Atkinson
Clay Street
Franklin Sees Barlow as liberal, out of touch Democrat
As a lawyer practicing in this area, I have known Bill Barlow for several years and have always thought of him as an honest and nice man. I am disappointed by his calling his opponent, Debra Quesinberry, a liar because she is accurately discussing his voting record.
As correctly stated in Debra's flier, Barlow voted against the McDonnell substitute to House Bill 2001. This was a vote in favor of increasing welfare spending by $180 million over the next five years and against Gov. Allen's welfare reform plan, which required recipients to work for their benefits, imposed a time limit and produced savings of $130 million for taxpayers.
Only after their efforts to increase spending failed did Barlow and his liberal colleagues support House Bill 2001 because they knew it would be political suicide to do otherwise. Rather than call Debra a liar, why not tell the truth and admit that he did all he could to oppose Gov. Allen's plan except on the final vote?
Barlow has appeared upset that a similar flier is being used around the state. That is because liberal Democrats all over the state who opposed Gov. Allen's reform are now trying to mislead voters.
The best indication of Barlow's welfare views are evidenced by his endorsement by the Human Services Political Action Committee. This group was recently formed by Doug Wilder's Health and Human Resources secretary to boost welfare spending and oppose Gov. Allen's welfare cuts. It has a mailing list of 250,000 voters, many of them welfare recipients, who they are planning to get out to vote. Barlow's record speaks for itself and this endorsement by this pro-welfare group is even more proof.
Debra Quesinberry is an honest and trustworthy lady who has spent a great deal of time in our area the
last few years, and one who intends to quit her job as a pharmacist so she can work full-time to serve us.
When Barlow starts talking about Debra being from the other end of the district, ask yourself: Had you rather have a delegate from the other end of the district who supports Gov. Allen and represents you, or a delegate from Smithfield who opposes Gov. Allen and opposes your views?
The next time Barlow calls Debra a liar, I will wonder why he doesn't tell us the truth about his welfare votes, or his votes against tougher prison sentences, or his vote to increase the sales tax to five percent, or his vote opposing returning lottery money back home. The list is endless.
Barlow is making personal attacks since he cannot run on his liberal record and does not want us to focus on it. He is out of touch as a liberal Democrat who has opposed Gov. Allen 83 percent of the time in a district that gave Gov. Allen 61 percent of its vote.
Elect an honest and truthful conservative Republican - Debra Quesinberry - on Nov. 7.
Dan Crumpler
North Main Street
Franklin Their votes will go for Del. Billy Moore
During political campaigns, voters are bombarded with promises that often are forgotten by the winner.
Del. Billy Moore remembers his commitments to the people in the 79th District. He has kept his promises and protected the interests of his constituents without regard for their political affiliation.
I had the opportunity to work with Billy Moore as he fought to protect our area from further expansion of Craney Island. Without his careful attention on this issue, we would be facing decline in our environment, property values and quality of life.
Billy's bipartisan approach to problem-solving and attention to constituents' needs set him apart as a true public servant.
I urge the voters of the 79th District to look beyond party labels and support Billy Moore in his election as he has ably supported us.
Peter Eustis
Rivershore Road
Portsmouth
Virginia has a long and proud tradition of maintaining excellent institutions of higher education. Having graduated from Old Dominion University, Billy Moore knows the value of this system first hand, and he has fought to preserve and protect it for the generations that follow.
Billy understands that money spent on our colleges is an investment in our future, not just for the students who attend them but also as an attraction for businesses to locate here, bringing jobs, resources and opportunities.
As a member of the General Assembly from the 79th House District, Billy Moore has worked to ensure that our colleges continue to receive the funding necessary to maintain their high standards. He recognizes the sincere efforts of college officials to restructure so they can deliver excellent service more efficiently. But most importantly, as a product of this system, Billy sees the need to offer educational opportunities to our young adults to encourage them to stay here in Virginia and prepare for their roles as the leaders of tomorrow.
My service on the board of a state supported college has afforded me the opportunity to personally work with Delegate Moore to advance the goals of education. His personal attention and interest in our work have been greatly appreciated.
Vote for higher education. Vote for Billy Moore.
Frankie W. Farmer
Member
Longwood College Board of Visitors
Virginia Beach
Making and keeping our schools safe are educational objectives of the highest priority.
Teachers cannot teach, and students cannot learn when instructional time is lost due to the disruptive behavior of even a few.
To help teachers maintain order and control of their classrooms, Gov. George Allen proposed legislation in the 1995 legislative session to protect teachers from frivolous lawsuits when they act in good faith to break up fights, remove weapons, discipline students, address medical emergencies and provide care and attention.
On a virtual party line vote, this sensible and prudent protection for teachers, parents and students was killed by Democrats.
This points to an out-of-touch, blatant disregard for real world concerns of educators, parents and students. I am disappointed in the lack of support and respect for the educational system and the dedicated individuals trying to make this a better, kinder, more intelligent and literate world - from the superintendent to the classroom aide.
This irresponsible voting by our elected representatives places educators in a Catch-22 situation in which they remain legally liable if they do not assist in safety related, critical or dangerous encounters and, now, also legally liable if they do provide intervention and assistance.
Let us vote into office individuals who will work with the Allen program to improve and enhance all facets of education.
Faith Atkinson
Clay Street
Franklin
As a lawyer practicing in this area, I have known Bill Barlow for several years and have always thought of him as an honest and nice man. I am disappointed by his calling his opponent, Debra Quesinberry, a liar because she is accurately discussing his voting record.
As correctly stated in Debra's flier, Barlow voted against the McDonnell substitute to House Bill 2001. This was a vote in favor of increasing welfare spending by $180 million over the next five years and against Gov. Allen's welfare reform plan, which required recipients to work for their benefits, imposed a time limit and produced savings of $130 million for taxpayers.
Only after their efforts to increase spending failed did Barlow and his liberal colleagues support House Bill 2001 because they knew it would be political suicide to do otherwise. Rather than call Debra a liar, why not tell the truth and admit that he did all he could to oppose Gov. Allen's plan except on the final vote?
Barlow has appeared upset that a similar flier is being used around the state. That is because liberal Democrats all over the state who opposed Gov. Allen's reform are now trying to mislead voters.
The best indication of Barlow's welfare views are evidenced by his endorsement by the Human Services Political Action Committee. This group was recently formed by Doug Wilder's Health and Human Resources secretary to boost welfare spending and oppose Gov. Allen's welfare cuts. It has a mailing list of 250,000 voters, many of them welfare recipients, who they are planning to get out to vote. Barlow's record speaks for itself and this endorsement by this pro-welfare group is even more proof.
Debra Quesinberry is an honest and trustworthy lady who has spent a great deal of time in our area the
last few years, and one who intends to quit her job as a pharmacist so she can work full-time to serve us.
When Barlow starts talking about Debra being from the other end of the district, ask yourself: Had you rather have a delegate from the other end of the district who supports Gov. Allen and represents you, or a delegate from Smithfield who opposes Gov. Allen and opposes your views?
The next time Barlow calls Debra a liar, I will wonder why he doesn't tell us the truth about his welfare votes, or his votes against tougher prison sentences, or his vote to increase the sales tax to five percent, or his vote opposing returning lottery money back home. The list is endless.
Barlow is making personal attacks since he cannot run on his liberal record and does not want us to focus on it. He is out of touch as a liberal Democrat who has opposed Gov. Allen 83 percent of the time in a district that gave Gov. Allen 61 percent of its vote.
Elect an honest and truthful conservative Republican - Debra Quesinberry - on Nov. 7.
Dan Crumpler
North Main Street
Franklin
During political campaigns, voters are bombarded with promises that often are forgotten by the winner.
Del. Billy Moore remembers his commitments to the people in the 79th District. He has kept his promises and protected the interests of his constituents without regard for their political affiliation.
I had the opportunity to work with Billy Moore as he fought to protect our area from further expansion of Craney Island. Without his careful attention on this issue, we would be facing decline in our environment, property values and quality of life.
Billy's bipartisan approach to problem-solving and attention to constituents' needs set him apart as a true public servant.
I urge the voters of the 79th District to look beyond party labels and support Billy Moore in his election as he has ably supported us.
Peter Eustis
Rivershore Road
Portsmouth
Virginia has a long and proud tradition of maintaining excellent institutions of higher education. Having graduated from Old Dominion University, Billy Moore knows the value of this system first hand, and he has fought to preserve and protect it for the generations that follow.
Billy understands that money spent on our colleges is an investment in our future, not just for the students who attend them but also as an attraction for businesses to locate here, bringing jobs, resources and opportunities.
As a member of the General Assembly from the 79th House District, Billy Moore has worked to ensure that our colleges continue to receive the funding necessary to maintain their high standards. He recognizes the sincere efforts of college officials to restructure so they can deliver excellent service more efficiently. But most importantly, as a product of this system, Billy sees the need to offer educational opportunities to our young adults to encourage them to stay here in Virginia and prepare for their roles as the leaders of tomorrow.
My service on the board of a state supported college has afforded me the opportunity to personally work with Delegate Moore to advance the goals of education. His personal attention and interest in our work have been greatly appreciated.
Vote for higher education. Vote for Billy Moore.
Frankie W. Farmer
Member
Longwood College Board of Visitors
Virginia Beach by CNB