THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 22, 1995 TAG: 9512210032
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
Regarding the attack on the Christmas lights at the Beach:
It is about time that the Bah Humbug! was taken out of the holiday and an air of good cheer put into it.
Virginia Beach has previously had nothing in the holiday spirit as have all the surrounding cities. Now when the Beach does get in the holiday spirit, instead of coming together we are all fighting about moneys that the city wants paid back.
Until now we have had nothing at this time of the year for the children. We invest in our kids' happiness and their dreams by lighting lights, by letting a spirit that has long been forgotten come forward.
I am grateful to the people who thought of the light show. Sure it costs, but what is the price for our children's awe and the spirit that goes with it?
True, the police are underpaid, and the city should find a way to pay the officers, but why cut the spirit of Christmas?
I know firsthand of the hard work the police do and what they go through, but the hotels contribute millions of dollars in revenue yearly, and if they can bring in extra tax dollars in this season, maybe that can be used to pay our police. I hope so!
F. DONALD MARTIN
Virginia Beach, Dec. 1, 1995 by CNB