THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 10, 1995 TAG: 9512090097
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 241 lines
To paraphrase one of Ross Perot's more colorful expressions, that giant sucking sound emanating from Cedar Road last Tuesday evening was our City Council conducting business as usual, and it's our quality of life that continues to do down the tubes.
Our elected officials, with the exception of Councilman Alan P. Krasnoff and John M. de Triquet, once again turned deaf ears to their general constituency and rolled over for a developer when both common sense and decency should have led them to do otherwise. Their actions were contemptible, and I, for one, will not forget them.
If those entrusted with the power to represent the people of Chesapeake are unable or unwilling to do so, they should be replaced at the earliest possible opportunity. I urge anyone who feels as I do to remember how our council members voted on this issue the next time they come asking for your vote.
I also urge them to boycott Commerce Bank, Rite-Aid or any other businesses that is arrogant enough to located where it is not wanted. In light of the developer's tactics, I will actively resist any project he and others of his ilk may wish to bless us with in the future.
There was a time when Chesapeake was a great place to live. But, thanks to the kind of happening we witnessed on Tuesday, it's looking more and more like a great place to leave.
Paul Belote
Millwood Avenue Boycott considered
There was a great deal of opposition to the recent approval of applications for conditional-use permits for drive-through windows at the corner of Battlefield Boulevard and Cedar Road - the last open green space in Great Bridge. The application was opposed because of the potential loss to our heritage, the adverse effects on the neighborhood behind it (especially Old Drive), the alarming level of traffic on Battlefield Boulevard and the question of accessibility once a pharmacy and bank locate there.
Granted, it was already zoned commercial, and the owners have vested rights, but saving a spot with such historic significance galvanized the the opposition. There was a groundswell of opposition at City Council meetings.
Many are reluctantly considering boycotting the pharmacy and bank or any other businesses that locate there.
That's all there is left to do. Word of mouth advertising is extremely important, and an unsavory reputation will not just go away. This whole scenario stinks!
It is my hope that the pharmacy and bank will seek another location and that the owners will sell the land to the city.
Maria E. Parker
Battlefield Boulevard South Stabbed in the back
It's unfortunate that the citizens fighting to preserve a piece of our historic heritage were effectively stabbed in the back at City Council last week. The behavior of Councilman John E. Allen was especially disturbing.
It is gratifying, however, to see by reading Sunday's edition of The Clipper (Dec. 3) that they are still continuing the fight against the unneeded commercial development. Public opinion may still win the day even though City Council has abandoned the cause.
Rest assured that I will encourage all of my friends to boycott Commerce Bank and Rite-Aid if they continue to want to located on the ``Green Spot'' in Great Bridge. That goes double for any business considering the strip center option threatened for this location.
William Edwards
Battlefield Boulevard Killing a Neighborhood
The public should be aware of a problem we are facing here on Woodmont Drive in Chesapeake. The scenario could be entitled ``How to Kill a Neighborhood!''
In the bond referendum that was passed about a year ago, the curve at the intersection of Land of Promise Road and Centerville Turnpike was on the list of things to be improved. We are a small street with homes about a block away from the curve. We have been here some 30-plus years. The homes on the dangerous curve were built 10 to 15 years ago.
Since last January, when we first heard about the road improvement plans, we have written numerous letters to city officials and City Council members. About seven weeks ago we heard that they were going to proceed with Alternative No. 8, which improves the curve by widening it. Now we are hearing they have decided to go on with the ``killing of our neighborhood'' by moving the road in our direction.
Instead of taking vacant land on the east or west of us, the city engineers want either to take our house along with one on the curve or move the road within 35 feet of our bedroom and closer also to our neighbor's home. A small farm would also be cut in two. This would be an impossible situation.
A zoning code does not allow a builder to build with 50 feet of a road, but the city can violate that code and move a road within 35 feet of a home.
Woodmont Drive is a green space now. Many beautiful trees and birds are located here. We have worked years to pay for this and planned to retire here.
We are hard-working, law-abiding taxpayers who have dreamed the ``American Dream'' and now our way of life is being threatened by people who have no interest in us.
We don't like these plans. We think there is a better way to solve this problem that will not hurt anyone. Is there anyone out there who can help us?
Glen and Mary C. Martin
Woodmont Drive "Disposable" street
This is to protest what is being planned to improve the curve at the intersection of Centerville Turnpike and Land of Promise Road.
Why should a street, Woodmont Drive, be targeted as disposable? This street only contains five homes but is a green space that needs to be saved, especially when the City Council seems intent on destroying all of the green spaces in Chesapeake. There has to be another way to improve this curve!
Surely this road can be improved within the curve as was first recommended by Public Works Director John A. O'Connor and City Engineer Ray Stout about six weeks ago. Using Alignment No. 8 would be similar to the situation at Centerville Turnpike and the Virginia Beach line and also to the Centerville Turnpike and Butts Station Road intersection. No one was dislocated there, and those curves work now.
If they cannot improve the curve adequately without moving the road, then they need to look for other plans to solve this problem. These residents of Woodmont Drive need help.
Doris A. Stewart
Ilex Street Top Priority
As grandparents, we care about our schools and the students who attend.
We are impressed with the care, concern and willingness to serve offered by Jeff Rowland.
We urge all grandparents and seniors to support Jeff. He will be an asset to the Chesapeake School Board, and he will keep our schools and students his top priority.
Ruth and Sidney Wilhelm
Laurel Avenue Product of the schools
The first election for seats on the Chesapeake School Board warrants special attention and not just because they are elected seats rather than appointed.
We need School Board members who are not limited to narrow personal agendas and short-term goals. We need people who have a broad view of the mission of our schools. This is what has made Chesapeake so successful over the years, compared to many of its neighboring cities.
Tommy Bray is a product of our school system. I taught Tommy years ago when he was in high school, and it is very rewarding to see this young man succeed as he has and at the same time want to give back to the community. Tommy has served in many civic and community services, including as chairperson of the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. He is currently serving as a member of the School Board.
Tommy is interested in our youth. He is willing to listen before decisions are made. He looks at the whole picture. And he has values that we, as parents, want for our children.
When you vote later this month, I ask that you vote for Tommy Bray,
a successful product of our school system, deserving of continued service in the responsibility he has so faithfully fulfilled.
Bill Graham
Cedar Lane Watching the budget
Not many years ago, I served as chair of the Chesapeake School Board, and it is from that perspective that I watch with great interest and anticipation this historic School Board election soon to be held.
Like many who are retired and no longer have children in public schools, my concerns have understandably shifted over the years.
Once I might have watched test scores more closely, and I still do, because I understand what a quality public school system has meant to Chesapeake's successes. But now, I am equally interested in knowing what my tax dollars are being used for and how well they are being spent.
So, it is refreshing for me to hear from a candidate who understands the need to get a grip on the educational needs of a growing student population, but is equally concerned that we don't fall into a budget shortfall trap as Virginia Beach did.
That candidate is Jeff Rowland, and he will have my vote Dec. 19.
Linda P. Overton
Haywood Avenue More than one
Thank you for your cover story on Dec. 3 about the upcoming School Board election. The Clipper has been a key source for the public to get information on candidates of all races.
One thing you left out was that voters can vote for more than one candidate on Dec. 19. All seats must be filled, so having information on all candidates is very important.
My father was in the Navy, so I have had to move a lot. This has allowed me to be in many different school systems. As a senior at Great Bridge High School, I have had the honor of meeting five of the 11 candidates.
There are three candidates in my mind who can lead Chesapeake's School Board into the 21st century. These three citizens, who want to serve their city, are Harry Murphy, Tom Bray and Michael Woods.
Eric O'Connor
Colonial View Sitting out parade
After several years of participation, the Great Bridge American Legion, Post 280, was told it could not be a part of the Great Bridge Jaycees' Christmas Parade in 1995.
At first I was angry and hurt, but I finally understood that the Jaycees did the right thing.
The American Legion promotes patriotism, not products, and we are obviously not ``politically correct.''
James A. Widdifield
Chaplain
American Legion Post 280 Talented youth
I recently had the pleasure of attending the Governor's School for the Arts' production of the opera ``Dido and Aeneas.''
I was very impressed by the high caliber of talent and professionalism of these students, who come from all over Hampton Roads. The production was one of the most outstanding works presented by high school students I've seen.
Too often, we only hear about the problems created by and surrounding today's young people. But these individuals, under the direction of Alan Fischer, should be recognized for their superb talent and dedicated work.
It was a rare treat to see this level of opera performed by high school students. We should consider ourselves very fortunate to have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful music created by these bright, young voices.
I urge our community to support the efforts of these hard-working, gifted young people, who could very well be tomorrow's leading opera performers. And to think they had their beginnings right here in Hampton Roads!
Diane Toohey
Virginia Beach We come first
The world is in a state of conflict that demands attention and assistance.
With such dilemmas as the need for peace in the Balkans and the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin, the president is drawn in to lead the world.
The problem is that he is taking time for these problems and almost forgetting that he is needed to lead our nation through its problems.
As a powerhouse of the planet, the United States is depended on to lead the world.
However, the United States' own problems, such as the budget crisis, must come first or we will be in deep trouble. Who will lead the world then?
Now that President Clinton has some important world issues to make decisions on, he has to remember about the people who voted for him and got him to where he is.
He needs to take time for the national issues before the world issues.
We come first, and the president needs to remember that his title is president of the United States, not president of the world.
John Snellings
Plantation Lakes Circle by CNB