THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 15, 1995 TAG: 9512140136
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 120 lines
Does anyone believe an election is going to be held six days before Christmas? I would like to thank the powers that be for giving us probably one of the lowest voter turnouts in Chesapeake history.
It is fortunate that Chesapeake has a few good candidates running for School Board. Don Bailey, Harry Murphy, Mary Mazur, Tom Bray and Mike Woods are a great team of candidates. Chesapeake is fortunate to have them running for office.
I hope next time the city decides to have an election that they will give the voters a chance to learn more about the candidates.
John Jaman
Angus Road A clear passion to serve
As a student at Great Bridge High School, I would like to thank Del. J. Randy Forbes for putting on the Student Leadership Forum debate Dec. 7. Great Bridge and Greenbrier should be grateful for someone like Del. Forbes representing them in the House of Delegates.
Now about the forum: It appeared that a few candidates seem to have a clear idea of what is best for our school system. They are Tom Bray, Barbara Head and Mike Woods. All three candidates expressed a clear passion for being a member of the School Board that the other candidates seemed to lack.
This election is critical to my future. I hope everyone will cast votes for Tom Bray, Barbara Head and Mike Woods.
Derrick O'Conner
Bayview Drive Destroying green space
We are wondering why the city is considering destroying another green space that exists on Woodmont Drive. On this street, there are many trees that provide sanctuary for beautiful birds.
The residents there are some of our original settlers. Two homes belong to retired residents. One residence is a farm that will be cut into two sections if the city goes through with its plans. The other three homes' property values will plummet drastically!
Since the city is not building a new road, why not go in and widen the curve, install larger warning signs, adjust the speed limit proportionally and put up flashing lights? This plan has worked on other curves in the city. There are vacant fields on both sides of Centerville Turnpike that could surely accommodate a roadway also.
Why bother these residents when your efforts should be given to other, more pressing concerns, such as Battlefield Boulevard?
W.A. and Judy Dunaway
Penny Lane At least one is qualified
The people of Chesapeake will be able to vote for who sits on the School Board in a special election Dec. 19. Eleven candidates are running for five open seats.
I'm not sure there are five who are qualified, but I do know that at least one is qualified and has the experience to do the job - a South Norfolk native and lifetime resident named Ted Nance.
I watched him in the recent forum, and he appeared to be the only candidate who had a clue about what the issues are facing the school system and the only candidate who has had extensive PTA leadership duties over the past years. He has been a PTA president and a member of the Superintendent's Planning Council. He was presented with a Distinguished Service Award from the PTA and honorary lifetime membership by the Virginia Congress of Parents and Teachers. In addition, he's a hard-working man who has put his own children through the Chesapeake Public School system and served on numerous committees and done everything asked of him by the school administrators and teachers.
Let's put experience to work for the taxpayers and the children. Elect Ted Nance to the Chesapeake School Board.
Dale and Tami Walker
Chesapeake Avenue Wonderful opportunity
Chesapeake citizens have a wonderful opportunity to have a voice in the way their school system functions. On Tuesday, Dec. 19, we have our first opportunity to vote for members of the School Board.
I will be voting for a very qualified candidate, one who has demonstrated her ability to work within the school system, first as a parent volunteer and for the past three years as a School Board member.
I have had the opportunity to work with Barbara B. Head on many important civic projects. When Barbara commits to doing a job, she works tirelessly, following through until the job is complete. We can always count on Barbara to do a first-class job. She is committed to making Chesapeake a better place to live and to raise and educate our children.
Barbara has worked diligently to make our school system the best in Virginia. She has been responsive to the concerns of citizens. She has proven her dedication to the school system by being responsive to administrators, staff, teachers, parents and students. She is actively involved in schools throughout the city.
Barbara works as hard as a School Board member as she does at her job, where she was selected as ``woman of the year'' at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
Vote in this election. It is important, very important. Return Barbara B. Head to the School Board. I can think of no one more dedicated, of higher integrity or more responsive to the needs of the community.
Sylvia S. Watson
Phoenix Drive One above the crowd
I would first like to thank Oscar F. Smith High School for sponsoring a debate for the upcoming Chesapeake School Board election. I would also like to thank WFOS radio for broadcasting this event.
Although most of the candidates seem to be qualified to be School Board members, only one person seemed to stand above the crowd. His name was Mike Woods.
Mr. Woods made a good presentation about his ideas and seems to understand what the needs of the Chesapeake schools are. He believes discipline should be promoted in school. He also believes raising standards of learning will be good for the future of our children.
I hope that people won't forget about this election and will get out and vote on Dec. 19.
Jason Deal
Southern Pines Drive by CNB