THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 3, 1995 TAG: 9511010132
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 225 lines
This refers to the several letters printed in your Oct. 27 edition in support of the recent firing of City Manager James W. Rein.
I find it truly amazing that so many literate people could almost appear coherent in expressing the illogical views set forth in most of those letters.
As a native Virginian, I was always led to believe that once they forsook the practice of dueling and despite their many faults, Virginia gentlemen knew how to resolve problems with at least some semblance of tact and decorum. However, it seems that we are more and more inching toward a climate in which the ``in-your-face'' style of politics earns the respect and acceptance of too many.
One of your recent writers felt ``uplifted'' for the city in one of our worst moments. On the other hand, I felt ashamed, as did many other Chesapeake residents who, regardless of political affiliation, saw this as nothing more than another ridiculous example of the offish, unprofessional and uncouth way that business is sometimes conducted in our city.
Another of your correspondents seem to have swallowed much of the current talk radio line. His letter indicated an obvious preference for autocratic city government. That over-used term of endearment, ``bleeding hearts,'' showed up early in his letter, and there was a lot of other hyperbole about investigating unspecified corruption on Mr. Rein's part. In this regard, there is an obvious preference for wasting tax dollars on a witch hunt with the hope that it will make political hay for those of the extremist political persuasion.
Then comes another supporter of Vice Mayor Robert T. Nance Jr., initially ``disturbed'' about the way Rein was fired and then absurdly asserting that he accepted Nance's prejudiced view that Mr. Rein should have resigned on the spot without any semblance of an opportunity to consider the alternatives or consequences of that action. At the whim of Mr. Nance, he and another of your correspondents apparently think the man should have forfeited all the benefits he accrued over 23 years of service to the city.
Finally, there is the contractor, with his ax to grind concerning change orders on public works jobs, orders which were, no doubt, submitted to ensure that the city got the best value for our tax dollars. Yet, despite these change orders, he must have still found it profitable to deal with the city, for he has continued to do business ``on numerous occasions over the years.''
To sum up, it's never so much what you do as the way you do it. Virginia gentlemen don't make decisions in haste, anger and on the sly. The way this thing was done can never be condoned as uplifting or right. This man was fired as if he were a common criminal and he has been treated as though he had no constitutional rights.
Some may call me a bleeding heart, but i steadfastly hold to my preference for openness and appropriate deliberation as opposed to the heartless, gutless and vindictive moves made in this case. A long-time city employee was fired on the spot with no advance notice, with no right to offer a defense, and after someone had made a cowardly and disrespectful sneak behind the back of an esteemed mayor elected by the people of Chesapeake.
Welford M. Burrell
E. Eva Boulevard Preserve historic site
The battle for public open space and historical preservation of South Battlefield Boulevard and Cedar Road is not over yet. Last week, the council turned down an application for two drive-through windows for a bank and pharmacy at this intersection, opening up the possibility of a partnership of the citizens of Chesapeake and the city government to purchase and preserve this piece of property.
Many people have voiced concerns over the loss of open space around the community center and the lack of same around the city. This is one of the last open spaces in downtown Great Bridge not yet turned into a parking lot or strip shopping center. Now the citizens have a chance to participate in saving this piece of land for its rich historical value and visual appeal.
In the past, we have complained that projects like the drive-through sneaked up on us and slipped through. This time a good number of people took the time to go to the City Council and voice their concerns on this application, and the Council is to be commended for acting on those concerns.
I hope that the organizations and individuals who fought so hard will not let the ball drop now and wait for the next yellow or orange sign to come up. We need to follow the lead of other citizens that have successfully taken on similar public-private partnerships (i.e. Virginia Beach purchasing the last open piece of land at the Oceanfront).
As the agent said, It is either drive-through windows or a six-store strip mall. Let's support the council and see if we can't make a third option become reality.
Beverly Pillers
S. Battlefield Boulevard Water is priority
I have yet to see any of the members of the City Council doing anything about the water situation.
With the current expansion rate that is going on in our city, it appears that the only item on the City Council's list is granting permits for expansion in the city. Water does not seem to be important to them.
Maybe the citizens who have to deal with water that is below federal standards, as well as the businesses that are losing income, need to band together and file a class-action lawsuit against the city to force them to place a priority on this matter now. After all, it is the responsibility of the city to provide drinkable water to all customers, and this is something they are not doing.
Businesses are losing profits because no one will drink beverages, and damage is being done to houses and plants. This is a very sad situation, and I hope that our fine city will seize the opportunity to make things right. After all, if you can't use a product, why should you have to pay for it? Isn't that part of being a consumer?
Maybe we need to appeal to the state level or even the federal level to solve this.
R.S. Byrd
Chesapeake Halloween fright
If they wanted to make Northwest River Park's Ghost Train really scary, they whould have included Vice Mayor Robert T. Nance Jr. shouting ``Support the water rebate or die!''
John P. Simanton
Parker Road Respected by peers
I have known Lillie M. ``Lil'' Hart since she became clerk of the Chesapeake Circuit Court 11 years ago. Lil is highly respected by her fellow clerks, who elected her as treasurer of the Virginia Court Clerk's Association several years ago. She continues to serve in that capacity, having been re-elected each year.
Lil operates an efficient, modern office that utilizes the Supreme Court's automated system. She was one of the first clerks to obtain a certificate from the University of Virginia for having completed its education requirement to become a ``certified court clerk.''
Her years of experience in the clerk's office, her capable leadership within her office and the respect she commands from the Circuit Court Clerks Association makes her a highly qualified candidate to be re-elected Circuit Court clerk of the city of Chesapeake.
Diane Bruce
Clerk
Rappahannock County Friend of education
Virginia has a long and proud tradition for maintaining excellent institutions of higher education. Having graduated from Old Dominion University, William S. ``Billy'' Moore Jr. 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 prepared 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 Del. 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
Longwood College
Board of Visitors Time for a change
I'm fed up with the representation of our current delegate, Kenneth R. Melvin.
Del. Melvin voted against returning lottery profits to cities. That has cost the city of Portsmouth $16.5 million over five years. Our city could have used the money to put more police on our streets or given more money to our public schools to use for the education of our children. Del. Melvin also voted against mandatory minimum sentences for repeat rapists and murderers.
It's time for a change. It's time to elect a delegate who will do what is best for our city. That person is not Kenneth Melvin, a man who supports riverboat gambling and was one of only eight delegates to vote against the ``Three strikes, you're out'' legislation.
It is time to elect a new delegate, and that person is F.E. ``Dutch'' Andrews. Dutch supports returning the lottery money to Portsmouth for use in improving our children's education and for use in protecting our streets. Dutch supports mandatory minimum sentences for repeat rapists and murderers and opposes riverboat gambling. Dutch supports higher academic standards in our schools, so that our children will succeed in life once they have graduated from public schools. Ken Melvin voted against this legislation.
It's time to elect a man who will do what is best for our city, and that man is Dutch Andrews.
Lashawa Williams
Portsmouth Well-run office
After my retirement from the city of Chesapeake in 1986, I did volunteer work in the office of the clerk of the Circuit Court and found it managed like a ``tight ship.'' All of the employees were most courteous, respectful and conscientious of both their jobs and the citizens using the office.
As a part of my volunteer work, I did extensive research for lawyers and for the genealogy of my family, and everyone was most helpful in my endeavor.
Clerk of Court Lil Hart's opponent, Vista Cotten, has indicated that there is tension among the employees in the office and also that it is an office outdated with equipment, and she intends, upon her election, to modernize the office with computers. But where would the money come from? In the end, it would fall on the citizens of Chesapeake with added taxes. Also, if there is tension among the employees it is unknown, as a majority of the employees are long-term and the turnover in the office is very slow.
Frances M. Parker
Holly Point Boulevard Showing shirttails
If you've ever worked as a retail clerk, you've encountered the customer who will not be satisfied till everything, including your shirttail, has been put on display. We have two such persons on our City Council - Vice Mayor Robert T. Nance Jr. and Councilman W. Joe Newman.
In their eagerness to see all in an investigation of certain city officials suspected of a conflict of interest, the pair want to see everything: dates, hours of work, salaries, etc., as they pursue their aim.
In the interest of good government, perhaps Nance and Newman will show us their own shirttails, too. Specifically their part in securing several thousand dollars of our money to purchase insurance coverage for a dismissed police officer whose wife was being hotly pursued by then Vice Mayor Arthur L. Dwyer.
Mr. Dwyer, as you may recall, boasted of the ease with which he secured these funds, implicating City Manager James W. Rein, saying the manager owed him his job.
Let's see everybody's shirttail, and make a party of this.
Ernest F. Brede
Gibson Drive by CNB