THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512020187
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 279 lines
The ``Second Battle of Great Bridge'' to save the green space on the corner of Battlefield Boulevard and Cedar Road is far from over! We have just traveled to a new battleground - that of public opinion!
I encourage all citizens of Chesapeake to call and write Commerce Bank and Rite-Aid Pharmacy. Flood them with voices of disapproval. Let them know that we citizens do not want any kind of business locating on that site.
It would surely be in their best interest not to be known as the culprits who were instrumental in destroying the last surviving remnant of the 1775 Battle of Great Bridge.
Robert Parker
Battlefield Boulevard A `tea party'
The great battle is not over yet to save our past, our present and our future.
Don't give up just because our City Council did! Or should I say some of them did. This piece of green is important to the whole city, not just Great Bridge.
If citizens' voices do not matter to our council, maybe it should matter to the businesses - Commerce Bank and Rite-Aid Pharmacy - that we do not wish them to locate here. There are many other perfect locations for them to use where people will shop.
If they locate on the ``Green Spot'' in Great Bridge, we will have a ``tea party'' to welcome them, just as our forefathers in Boston did!
I hope that everyone can and will be as emotional and as supportive as I have been because we cannot and should not let this issue die, considering our forefathers already had to do that for this land.
Please let your voices still be heard to the city and to the businesses wanting to take our history and last green spot away from us and future generations.
Stephanie Peters
Old Drive Citizen involvement
In the Nov. 17 edition of The Clipper, it was reported that the School Board is considering guidelines which would limit the public comment period at School Board meetings to a half hour, with each citizen being allowed to speak for three minutes. This is similar to the restrictions imposed last summer by the City Council.
I am amazed that the School Board is considering limiting our citizens' input. This is especially true in view of the fact that even when there are public hearings on special issues, rarely have School Board meetings been inundated with speakers. For example, at the Sept. 25 meeting, the agenda included a public hearing on the superintendent's proposed Capital Improvement Plan for 1995-2005. This proposal calls for the expenditure of $172,932,100 to complete 26 school projects over the next five years. That evening, I spoke for approximately 10 minutes, and I was the only speaker in the city to address the School Board on the CIP. This suggests that the School Board is not overburdened by citizens' comments on school issues and need not impose a time limit on speakers.
I suspect that the real reason for imposing a time limit on speakers is linked to the Dec. 19 School Board election. In my opinion, the incumbents who are running for election - L. Thomas Bray, James M. Reeves Sr., Barbara B. Head and Roderic A. Taylor - do not want to answer embarrassing questions on public television just prior to the election regarding their failure to adequately address and resolve major problems in Chesapeake's education system during their tenure; consequently muzzling the public's voice at this critical time permits them to avoid these questions.
President Harry S. Truman said, ``The buck stops here.'' The failure to resolve many of the problems in our school system lies squarely at the doorstep of these incumbents. This is the first opportunity the citizens of Chesapeake have had to make current School Board members answer critical questions at School Board meetings and candidates' forums then hold them responsible during the Dec. 19 election.
Bill Pierce
Creef Lane Deadly highway
My heart goes out to the family of the officer who was killed in the accident on Nov. 4. I realize there is nothing they can do to bring him back, and that it will take a long time to heal. But, if I were them, I would sue the socks off the Virginia Department of Transportation because of the way they have dragged their feet to improve a situation that has desperately called for attention.
I guess the blame should really be directed to the local and state representatives. As usual, they are blind to the truth. They think that Virginians do not use Highway 17, the canal bank. And it seems that the only way to open their eyes is to have someone close to them be killed.
What bothers me the most is that Virginia has always talked about four-laning that road, but never has done the job. Being from North Carolina, I felt that the Lake Gaston situation should never have been decided on until Highway 17 was four-laned. No road improvement, no water!
Riding down Highway 17 is very emotional if you really stop to think about it. It's a roller-coaster ride all the way with lots of bumps and dips, curves that really shouldn't be taken at 55 mph. You wonder where you would pull over if you had a breakdown. The trees and shrubs hang over onto the road's white line, leaving no place whatsoever to pull over.
Call it a pet peeve, but I really think people should use their headlights. I realize it seems stupid to burn your lights in the middle of a bright, sunny day, but it really helps when you hit dark spots on the road and when you're trying to estimate the distance between you and another car.
Then, there are the speed demons, who tailgate, cut in and out, go 70 mph and - heck - even play chicken. They realize there is nowhere for a cop to turn around, so even if there was one patrolling they probably wouldn't get caught. I'm not blaming the police; I don't want to travel that road more than I have to either.
Last, but in no ways least, the emotion that always lasts with me throughout the ride is the picture of the two white crosses bearing the dates that two people were killed.
Please, this is something, for once in our lives, that we have control over. People are getting killed, and it could be prevented.
Virginia receives quite a bit of money from North Carolinians. We buy lottery tickets, vehicles, merchandise and gas from your state. The least you can do is to make our passage and yours to and from your state as safe as possible.
J. Layden
Belvidere, N.C. Parade complaint
It's a shame when the Chesapeake Jaycees turn away residents of their own city.
Our group of custom cars and street rods have been in the Chesapeake Christmas Parade for the past three years. Our group is composed of 10 Chesapeake residents, and we have supported our city in other events, such as the Fourth of July celebration at Lakeside Park. Often we take time off from our jobs to attend these events.
This year we were excluded from the parade because we do not have Christmas lights on our cars. The people love to see our 1930s, 1940s and 1950s cars as they are. We are members of Wolfman Jack's Fan Club, Stray Cats Hot Rod Association and the Chesapeake Cruisers. Our cars have won many awards in both local and state competitions. Just last year, my car took the ``Mayor's Choice'' award in the Chesapeake Food Bank Show.
Our applications were mailed in on Oct. 11, and we didn't receive a reply until just a few days prior to the parade. It is unfortunate that the parade committee did not feel us worthy of this year's event.
Dwaine B. Weeks Sr.
Laurel Avenue Growth controls needed
This letter is in response to Wilson Garland's letter about the adequate public facilities issue (The Clipper, Nov. 26):
As a member of the Chesapeake Council of Civic Organizations, I assure you, the C.C.C.O. represents civic leagues, communities and people all over the city of Chesapeake. The C.C.C.O. has addressed problems and concerns of all the people who have asked for help.
Because of the leadership of Gene Waters, president of the C.C.C.O., the organization has multiplied in membership and expanded its services.
Mr. Waters is the most honest, sincere, caring person I have ever known. He devotes his life to helping people and communities. He cares about the city and the people, and he works non-stop for the people's rights and quality of life.
Anyone who knows Gene Waters knows he would never ever say he does not care, as Mr. Garland implied. And his house is not 40 years old or even half that old, as Mr. Garland said in his letter.
Adequate public facilities is a good way to manage and control growth, not stop it. We need adequate schools, roads, water, sewerage, police and fire protection and recreation facilities before we overcrowd the city with housing.
Anne Tregembo
Bomer Drive Growth control
It is important to understand the facts about managed growth! Misinformation about any good plan can lead to misunderstanding and wrongful conclusions. This is why I feel the need to reply to Wilson Garland's letter, ``Reject APF idea'' (The Clipper, Nov. 26).
Certainly, anyone who knows hard-working civic leaders in their communities would never expect to hear them utter, ``I don't care'' or be ``narrow minded'' on important issues.
The Chesapeake Council of Civil Organizations represents more than 30 civic leagues which reflect the majority view of citizens of Chesapeake. Citizens want managed growth or adequate public facilities.
Let's clear up some misconceptions about the principles of managed growth. First of all, managed growth is a way to delay development until the city finds a way in its budget to build roads, improve schools, increase fire and police protection and build community centers.
Everyone remembers the history of Virginia Beach. As population increased, their quality of life declined. Why? Because houses were built faster than roads and schools. What eventually happened? The Virginia Beach City Council requested a $400 million road bond referendum in one year to improve the roads. Who is paying for the borrowed $400 million? Was growth managed? No! Virginia Beach citizens put up with a lower standard of living for years.
Certainly citizens can see how adequate public facilities is not a tax and will do nothing to increase our real estate appraisals! It is simply a way to require builders to wait to build in areas of the city where roads and schools are not adequate until the city and state can provide adequate facilities for that location. As population increases, like Virginia Beach, city services will eventually catch up. Right now, anyone can see that Chesapeake needs to catch up. Kempsville Road, Cedar Road, Bruce Road, Taylor Road, Dominion Boulevard, Greenbrier Parkway, Battlefield Boulevard and other major access routes have changed for the worse in the last 10 years.
We still have a unique opportunity for Chesapeake to be a different city than Virginia Beach. As a business owner, I would hope that Mr. Garland and others would join together with the efforts of the C.C.C.O. and a majority of citizens in Chesapeake and demand that our politicians manage growth (not stop growth) in such a way to provide a better quality of life for all of us.
This is our city. Let's join together and make it a better place to live!
Gene Waters
President
Chesapeake Council of Civic
Organizations Candidate is motivator
I encourage all citizens of Chesapeake to participate in the School Board election on Dec. 19. I also ask that you support the School Board candidacy of Jeff Rowland.
As chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board as well as past president of the South Norfolk Civic League, I have had the opportunity to see his enthusiasm, leadership skills, communication skills and his ability to be a role model to others.
Jeff's enthusiasm seems endless. He prides himself upon motivating and leading others to their potential. Jeff has taken an active role in the education process of our city by his involvement with the Portlock Primary PTA as well as vice chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Jeff has also served as director of Sunday School the last two years at our church.
Jeff's leadership skills are among the best displayed by any of our colleagues. He is always willing to help his fellow board members and gives valuable feedback to the organizations he serves. He is open to change, adapts well to any situation. He is not afraid to tackle difficult community issues. Jeff is thoughtful, carefully analyzing problems before jumping into situations.
In closing, I would like to reassert that Jeff has developed and gained many valuable skills as a teacher, leader, administrator and, above all, a motivator. His high level of skills and abilities, coupled with his confidence and knowledge of himself, make Jeff an excellent candidate for School Board.
Please vote for Jeff Rowland for Chesapeake School Board!
Darrell Morse
Wilbur Avenue Dedicated to schools
I write not in my official capacity as president of the South Norfolk Civic League, but as an area resident concerned about the election scheduled for Dec. 19.
I cannot recommend strongly enough that Chesapeake voters elect Jeff Rowland to our city's first elected School Board.
I have watched Jeff Rowland grow up in South Norfolk, and what has always impressed me has been his dedication to the well-being of his family and his community. Others may have moved elsewhere, but Jeff Rowland has stayed here and given freely of himself, his time and talent to make Chesapeake a better place.
That commitment has shown itself through his service on the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Board and his enthusiastic support for projects like Fun Forest and the skateboard ramp. He has thrown himself into civic league activities and serves as the treasurer and chairman of South Norfolk's July Fourth celebration.
But, most of all, I've seen Jeff Rowland's dedication to our schools - schools he attended and knows well.
In short, Jeff Rowland is a thoughtful young man committed to our city and our schools. He will bring to the School Board common sense and a parent's insights, which we need now.
He has my vote, and I hope he will have yours, too.
Bill Butlin
Jackson Avenue Is it worth lives?
It is incredible to me that a man who protested the Vietnam War and dodged the draft to avoid that war is sending young men and women into the same kind of situation 20 years later in Bosnia.
The terminology has changed from ``peacekeepers'' to ``peacemakers,'' according to Sen. Sam Nunn, since our troops will be training and equipping the Muslims against a people who just a day ago in an article in The Virginian-Pilot said they will fight to the death, who are well equipped and whose conflicts have escalated into World Wars.
It is true that our military is an all-volunteer force, but it is also true that they deserve people in leadership who regard their lives as more than chess pawns to be played with lightly.
Whenever we, the American people, see our leaders willing to risk American lives, it is our responsibility to question the goals, potential of success, and the will of the people. Ask yourself, would you be willing to give the life of your son, daughter, husband, wife, brother, sister or friend to this cause? If you can't answer ``yes,'' you have a responsibility to call or write your congressman in protest. Please, do your duty.
Cynthia M. Anderson
Brandon Quay by CNB