THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 5, 1995 TAG: 9511040109
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 253 lines
One Suffolk race in which political affiliation should be irrelevant is the contest for clerk of court. The only question voters should be concerned with is which of the candidates has the experience and qualifications to do the job.
Without hesitation, both of us can say that the Suffolk clerk's office is one of the best run, professional and efficient offices with which we have dealt, and we have regular dealings with clerks' offices across the state. Regardless of the question or problem, it is quickly, pleasantly and professionally answered. Phone calls are returned promptly.
The deputy clerks are well-trained and knowledgeable in their positions. The atmosphere is friendly and helpful, to both lawyers and the general public.
The clerk's office requires - indeed demands - a knowledge of the law, statutes governing wills, intestate deaths, deeds and recording, marriages and divorce, law suits of every nature, criminal cases, hunting and fishing regulations and licensing, property condemnation, judgments for debts unpaid, tax liens. The list goes on.
This is not something that can be picked up at a conference for ``New Clerks.'' Although the deputies are knowledgeable, when they do not know the answer, they refer one directly to Henry Murden who, because of his years of experience, either knows the answer from a previous situation or knows where to find the answer. Other area clerks also rely on Mr. Murden's expertise, calling upon him for advice and direction.
The clerk's office plays a most important part in the life of almost every citizen, for it is involved when one gets married, buys or sells property and/or dies. The clerk is not just a ``filer'' of documents, for he must review, catalogue and issue papers in response to the enormous amount of papers coming through every day. The clerk is responsible for drafting the Orders of the Court, where an error could result in the guilty going free.
There is no way, nor is there any time, in the clerk's office for politics to play a part. Whether the clerk personally supports Republican or Democrat principles is truly immaterial in getting the job done. It is everyone's concern that this successful clerk's office continues to run smoothly, efficiently and professionally, without a ``break'' in its routine. Henry Murden has quietly and proficiently kept the clerk's office on track for 28 years. Our advice, to put it bluntly, is ``If it ain't broke, don't fix it!''
Inga Eglitis Francis
Richard Lincoln Francis
Boykins No-nonsense approach earns Holland support
We, the Constitutional Officers of Suffolk, are pleased to unanimously endorse Richard J. Holland for re-election to the Virginia State Senate.
We know Richard to be an experienced, effective and no-nonsense senator whose word is his bond. If Richard tells you something, you can count on it. Richard Holland can be relied on to follow through on legislation and accomplish what is necessary for the people of Suffolk and throughout his district.
Richard takes a conservative, fiscally responsible, common sense approach to government. He is an independent thinker who casts his votes based on what is right for the people of his district and Virginia.
A strong believer in workfare, not welfare, Richard Holland was one of the biggest supporters of the welfare reform bill that has been called one of the toughest, most sweeping plans in the country.
Richard is a strong supporter of law enforcement. He supported and fought for ``Three Strikes and You're Out'' and ``No Parole'' legislation. He led the fight to ensure that repeat, violent offenders stay behind bars and serve their entire sentences. He is a supporter of the death penalty. He was named ``Legislator of the Year'' by the Sheriffs of Virginia and an outstanding legislator by the Virginia State Police Association.
Richard believes that the key to our children's future is a first-rate education system. As such, he opposed cuts in funding to the state's colleges and universities and fought for and secured extra funding for our elementary and secondary schools.
As a businessman, Richard Holland knows the importance of balanced budgets and low taxes to keep Virginia's economy strong. He has been a leader in keeping Virginia one of the best financially managed states in the country.
Because of his leadership and independent thinking, Richard has earned the respect and admiration of both political parties. In fact, he was the only Democratic senator named by Gov. Allen to his blue ribbon task force on government waste.
Therefore, we the Constitutional Officers of Suffolk urge the people of Suffolk and those throughout the 15th Senatorial District to re-elect Richard J. Holland to the Virginia State Senate on Nov. 7.
C. Phillips Ferguson
Commonwealth's Attorney
Thomas A. Hazelwood
Commissioner of Revenue
Henry C. Murden
Clerk of Circuit Court
Raleigh H. Isaacs Sr.
Sheriff
Ronald H. Williams
Treasurer Jerry Flowers offers a conservative choice
Voters of the 15th Senatorial District face an important decision: Do we re-elect a man who claims to be a conservative, or elect a man who is a conservative?
Richard Holland's campaign literature consistently paints the picture of a fiscal conservative who is pro life and pro family. This appears to be in stark contrast to the Democratic Party position in general and to the senator's own voting record in particular.
The answer to this apparent conflict seems to be the typical Democrat campaign strategy, which is to speak conservative before the elections, then vote liberal when the election is over.
The fact of the matter is that Richard Holland has voted against Gov. Allen's conservative agenda for change nearly 67 percent of the time in a district in which 65 percent of the voters chose George Allen in 1993.
Holland voted against tax cuts for working families (Senate Bill 1118) against funding for new prisons (House Bill 1452) against returning lottery profits to localities for crime prevention, education or tax relief (Senate Bill 859) and even voted to increase welfare spending by $180 million!
Fortunately, the voters do not have to settle for politics as usual this Election Day. Jerry Flowers offers us the choice of a true conservative who will back our governor not only with his words but, much more importantly, with his vote!
Jerry is a young and energetic leader who will work with Gov. Allen to continue to revitalize Virginia's economy, fight to keep violent criminals behind bars, provide tax relief to families and small businesses, and work to enact the governor's higher academic standards for public schools.
The choice is clear. We can vote to impede the positive changes that Gov. Allen is trying to accomplish by re-electing Richard Holland or we can look to the future and vote for Jerry Flowers.
James R. Tarrant
Stevens Drive
Carrsville
`Good sense' says Barlow
To every registered voter in the 64th House District: Please cast your vote for William K. Barlow.
I am not usually some sort of political activist, but I felt a real need to express my feelings about this election.
Bill Barlow is an honest, forthright, intelligent, caring man. He can be trusted. I have known Bill for 20 years, and I continue to be impressed by his decency and fairness.
The challenger's campaign puzzled me at first. I was saddened by the tone expressed and angry with the garbage-type mailings that have polluted our mailbox. I am appalled that anyone could seriously believe that this gutter-type campaigning could succeed!
Use your good sense Tuesday and re-elect Bill Barlow.
Karen A. Speirs
Cherry Grove Road North
Smithfield
Holland, Barlow, Councill should retain offices
It looks to me that Gov. Allen wants to have a dictator form of government in Virginia.
He seems to want to elect a bunch of flunkies who will vote whatever he wants. I have been in Virginia 55 years, have voted for eight Republicans for governor and five Democrats. We have what I consider the worst type of campaigning I have seen. It seems a lot of Governor Allen's candidates must be getting their guidance and literature from the governor's staff.
I think governors should try to get along with both parties. Most all others governors have worked that way. I hope the voters will remember Virginia has been a well-governed state, one of five or six that have a 3A bond rating.
We need lawmakers who will look at both sides of all issues. We should remember that three ex-governors have come out against some of Gov. Allen's actions, two Republicans and one Democrat.
I know Sen. Holland and Del. Bill Barlow and Paul Councill. I consider all three A1 representatives for the people. We need to keep all three.
Just last week, word got out that Gov. Allen took a $100,000 gift from Smithfield Packing, a company with many citations for polluting the Pagan River. He made a big issue when it was revealed that Mary Sue Terry took $500 from a landfill operator. Some standards Gov. Allen has! We need to keep the Democrats in charge of lawmaking bodies to protect the people of this state from Gov. Allen. After he is gone, maybe I could support a change.
Gov. Allen claims to be a conservative, but just this weekend he announced that he is giving Virginia state employees 3 1/2 days more paid holidays for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This has to be to try and buy votes.
We don't need to elect people who say they will stick to the governor like a tick. Use good judgment, voters. Keep the Democrats in for right now.
It looks as if the Republican Party nationwide wants to hurt all but the well-off people. The average have a lot at stake.
Sam L. Callis
Sleepy Hole Road
Suffolk Paid holidays simply political maneuvering
Gov. Allen has announced several paid holidays for state employees, just before election. While I am sure manipulation for votes will or has been denied, that is exactly what it is.
Manipulation of state employees and other taxpayers occurs all too often when a governor announces a plan for this or that.
High-priced consultants have been doing a lot of work for the state well before the announced cutbacks of 16,000 state employees and the move to privatization. Private in all cases does not mean a better product nor a good return on investment of taxpayer dollars.
Don't blame consultants for getting available work, nor state employees for taking available time. However, there seems to be a large discrepancy in value received. With all the paid days off, the state will have to pay more consultant fees or delay projects to make up for lost time.
State employees deserve better political leadership in their work environment and compensation. Days off by a political decree don't improve the needs by one bit, byte or iota.
State taxpayers (employees are also taxpayers) deserve a better return on their investment.
Some things can be done better by privatization. The greatest concern ought to be value received to the citizens' dollars, not privatization as a buzzword.
Are we headed for correct privatization or political privateering?
Take a look, Virginia, to see where Santa Claus really is.
H.J. Crawford
Turner Drive
Suffolk Let the record prove Moore boosts education
Much as been said about our public schools in the current political races.
I suggest that voters pay attention to the record, not the rhetoric, of candidates.
For the record:
Billy Moore has consistently worked to have lottery proceeds returned to localities to be used for education. This proposal finally won favor with other legislators and was included in last year's Omnibus Education Act.
Billy Moore succeeded in having our schools designated as Gun Free Zones to increase safety.
Billy Moore worked to help restore the funds for education that had been cut from last year's proposed budget.
Billy Moore has the strongest possible investment in our public schools - his children attend them!
In short, Billy Moore has been a friend to public education and we need all the friends we can get. Let's keep Billy in the House of Delegates.
Dorothy W. Dray
Warwick Street
Portsmouth Citizen cooperation helps sewer project
Cooperation accompanied by courtesy is a rare combination in today's work world. We at Rountree Construction Co. had the pleasure of experiencing this combination while installing sanitary sewer services along White Marsh Road in Suffolk.
While there are numerous individuals who made this project a success, we specifically want to thank the Suffolk City School Board, Division of Engineering, and especially the residents and citizens who demonstrated great patience throughout the project.
The myth of no cooperation in the work world was dispelled throughout the project. Everyone realized that a little inconvenience and sacrifice would be worth the benefits of this needed utility.
All parties involved worked together like spokes in a wheel in order to expedite construction and complete the project with as little inconvenience as possible. Again, we thank the citizens involved and the City of Suffolk for their cooperation and courtesy.
Ronnie Rountree
President, Rountree
Construction Co. Inc.
Suffolk by CNB