THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 22, 1995 TAG: 9512200135
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letters
LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
Late appropriation
Whoa! Hang on there, Council critters!
During the City Council meeting on Dec. 12, Maury Brickhouse appeared before the council requesting an appropriation for $230,328.96. Mr. Brickhouse was representing one of the cells of our city government, the Court Services Unit. He is director of this unit and chairman of the School Board.
The purpose for this request was to cover obligated services - repeat - obligated services. The law says that you cannot obligate any money for goods or services without first having the money appropriated by the governing authority. The council critters were aware of these facts when they approved the appropriation.
When are the shenanigans of our appointed and elected officials going to stop? The average citizen of Chesapeake would go to jail immediately for writing a check for insufficient funds to the tune of $230,230.96.
A full and impartial investigation of this matter by an outside agency must be initiated immediately. Any violations of the laws must be prosecuted.
'Nuff said.
William E. Nichols Jr.
Waterside Drive Prayer of thanks
A couple of nights before Thanksgiving, when Mike Reagan signed off his radio talk show, he said he wanted to offer his thanksgiving prayer, which went like this:
``Thanks, God, for letting this poor boy live in this country instead of any other country in the world.''
I just thought it would also be fitting for the Christmas season, too.
F.W. Martin
Kempsville Road Rude audiences
It is a real shame when a banquet or a concert has to be stopped to get the crowd quiet.
I attended a football banquet for the Green Run Peewee and Junior Leagues. The ceremony had to be stopped numerous times while the coaches were passing out trophies. The mistress of ceremonies had to calm the crowd a few times. A coach also tried, but it was to no avail.
I was disappointed in the behavior of the children, but also in the behavior of the parents. The parents would take no responsibility for their children.
I could not believe how rude some of the adults were. There was a group standing in the middle of the room, blocking the view of other parents trying to see their children receive their trophies.
My husband and I also attended a group concert to introduce sixth-grade elementary chorus students, middle school chorus students and high school chorus students. The concert was also rudely interrupted by noise and loud talking from the sixth-grade chorus students who were sitting about six feet from us. I felt for the teachers. You could tell they were upset when the new high school chorus teacher stopped the performance. It took several seconds for the elementary teachers to get their students quiet. The students showed no respect and the teachers acted as if they did not deserve it or could not accept it.
Maybe manners and respect cannot be taught in school, but it should be reinforced.
Cathy Whitaker
Broadmoor Avenue Unforgettable music
I recently attended a winter concert featuring the orchestras of Great Bridge Middle School South and Great Bridge High School. As the parents of a ninth-grade orchestra member from Middle School South, I enjoyed the performance of those talented young people, as I always do.
The opportunity, however, to hear several other high school orchestral groups perform conducted by Brad Shedd, high school director, was unforgettable. I was mesmerized by the Chamber Orchestra's performance of two movements from ``Carmen'' and the theme from the movie ``Schindler's List.'' If not enough, the Symphonic Orchestra masterfully performed the entire ``Brandenburg Concerto No. 3,'' difficult music for any high school student.
I am delighted to see a reversal of a trend in which enrollment in the large orchestral groups from elementary and middle school had dwindled as students moved beyond grade 8.
It is evident that Mr. Shedd selects challenging music, provides mentorship, creates high expectations and respects student talent. Any one of those four characteristics would inspire personal commitment and yield excellent results from students.
Though some play down the importance of the fine arts, James Page, supervisor of music education for the school division, had a vision for Chesapeake's children when he developed the strings program many years ago. Musical opportunities enhance the development of other intellectual abilities, most particularly mathematics, as research indicates. Mr. Shedd's mentorship, high expectations, respect for students' talents and selection of challenging materials have certainly provided the key ingredients for the success of his students and program.
Lillian J. Donnally
Peaceful Road by CNB