THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 17, 1995 TAG: 9511180220
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 131 lines
Regarding the article ``Enabling Environment'' (Beacon, Oct. 20), we, as individuals with developmental disabilities and self-advocates, feel the need to respond to Mr. Stephen Cox's referring to himself as ``retarded.'' While we affirm his right as an individual to label himself as he wishes, we would like to make your readers aware that this is not the preference of most of our members.
People First of Virginia Beach, a local self-advocacy group that promotes the value of people with developmental disabilities, as well as the learning of good citizenship and community living, has worked long and hard to change attitudes regarding people with developmental disabilities. We would like everyone to see our talents before our differences and for ``people first'' language to be used when writing articles about us. We strongly support the efforts of BizNet and encourage those who may rush to judgment about people with developmental disabilities to get to know us.
All that we ask is to have a chance to live, work and play, as well as make contributions to our communities. Simply put, to have a place to call home.
Robert Webb, President,
People First of Virginia Beach Help police help you
The call goes out: ``Larceny in progress, subject just stole a purse. . . '' The closest available police car is three miles away, and responding, lights and siren. A suspect description is broadcast, but no officers are in the area. The offense is reported, but a citizen loses hard-earned cash, business papers, medication, credit cards, family pictures, with no chance of their being recovered.
This story is told every day in Hampton Roads. Can we blame the police for this? No, as they did everything within their power, including going above and beyond in searching the area, including crawling through dumpsters. But our police are undermanned, and cannot be everywhere.
This story is told differently, however; it has a happy ending. This time, an off-duty officer, equipped with a police radio, hears the call dispatched, gets the description and observes the suspect. The suspect is arrested for the theft, only because an off-duty officer provided trained, expert obser-vation.
Virginia Beach police officers have been campaigning for take-home police cars, a promise made by City Council candidates running for and elected to office. With this capability, many sets of eyes, trained and expert in their observations, would be on the street, adding to the ranks of on-duty officers already stretched thin. But when City Council members campaign for the support of the law-enforcement community by dangling this carrot, then back away from this cause, pronouncing it ``pork,'' then it's time for citizens to hold City Council accountable for their safe-ty.
Police officers are moving their families to other cities in the region. Why? They have been lied to by City Council, and know firsthand how much crime is present in our city. Issuing officers their own vehicles will provide these valiant knights an incentive to remain our neighbors and help restore the small-town attitude and security that our council hypes but that in reality is not there.
I would urge citizens everywhere to write, phone and visit City Council. Voice your concerns, make City Council serve you, not other self-serving factions.
After all, how would you feel if your property were taken and nothing could be done about it?
Armand Rubbo
Virginia Beach Proposed budget cuts certain to harm quality of education
The Virginia Beach School Board has come up with a plan to handle the $6.6 million budget deficit for 1995-96. Contrary to the picture they are painting for us, the proposed cuts in personnel services and instructional supplies will directly impact the students. How can an institution whose business is educating children cut $6.6 million and not affect the quality of education? The answer is that it can't.
Examples of the impact on students, compiled by the Virginia Beach Education Association, include the following:
1. As of Feb. 1, 1996, only long-term substitutes will be hired to fill vacancies left by fully licensed teachers.
2. Substitutes will not be hired for library secretaries, nurses and those assistants not working with kindergarten or special-education students unless they are out for more than one day at a time.
This means that student safety during P.E. may be compromised.
Most elementary libraries are staffed by one library media specialist and one library secretary. On days when the secretary is ill, the library media specialist will have to cancel literary groups, reference and research instruction, and kindergarten and special-education story readings if the library is to remain open for the circulation of books and other materials. She cannot be instructing a class and covering the desk at the same time. (Will the library be closed during her 30-minute lunch, or should she skip lunch on those days?)
Services provided by assistants who work in computer labs or in classrooms will not be provided at all when they are absent.
3. Staffing allocations will be limited to the minimum standards set by the state. This will make it impossible for the School Board to implement its own strategic plan to lower class sizes, especially in the early grades.
4. An average of $20,000 per school will be cut from the draw accounts, which are used to buy equipment and instructional supplies and materials.
5. A reduction of $100,000 in media-support services will limit the quantity of software, videos and other library materials which support the curricula.
6. An additional 50 percent cut in contingency funds will result in an additional loss of an average of $3,500 per school for instructional needs.
I have not even addressed the $12 million deficit for the 1994-1995 school year which came as such a surprise to the School Board. Their surprise was surprising to teachers, as we were advised in June 1995 of the deficit.
As conscientious parents and educators, we attempt to teach our children that we are responsible for our actions. We explain that as we mature we are faced with choices, and the choices we make will result in consequences. We will be held accountable for our actions, we explain, as we work toward instilling responsible values; yet those charged with steering our youth toward prudent productive lives are sending the wrong message.
Will we ignorantly or apathetically allow them to get away with it? Who are the culprits? Why are they getting away with possibly criminally irresponsible behavior? They have escaped unscathed and are apparently unconcerned about the consequences. Who will suffer the consequences of the mishandling of our children's financial resources? The children will, of course! Who are the victims? The children.
Susan Darley Richard
Fundy Court MEMO: Ms. Richard is a music and library specialist at Pembroke Elementary
School.
Mr. Rubbo is a member of the Virginia Beach Police Department.
by CNB