THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 31, 1995 TAG: 9512300188
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 137 lines
On Friday, Dec. 8, I was waiting for the 12:45 p.m. trolley to pick me up from Tidewater Community College, Portsmouth campus. It never arrived.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. I called the customer information office and asked to speak with a transportation supervisor. The supervisor told me that she was unaware the trolley had not arrived and upon dispatching the trolley received no answer. She informed me that a replacement trolley would be sent to pick up approximately 20 people. A mechanic arrived with a replacement trolley, but since he was not a driver he could not take us to a transfer point.
I called again at 2 p.m. and was assured once again that someone was on his way but was lost trying to find the campus. I called again at 3 p.m. and was told that the police had been notified because neither the driver nor the trolley could be found. I was once again assured that a supervisor was on the way from Virginia Beach to pick us up.
At 4:15 p.m. I found someone to take me home and paid her $5 cash. The trolley had still not arrived when I left the premises nor did I see one enroute.
There is no excuse for customers, regular or otherwise, having to call several times for confirmation. There is no excuse for having to wait over three hours for a replacement who never came. I had to make arrangements for my daughter to be picked up, I had to reschedule appointments I had for that day.
I am highly upset by the treatment given to me and others who were waiting for a replacement driver.
Connie Paige
Grove Street
Dec. 11, 1995 Safety area's concern
Inaccuracies abound and facts frequently are ignored when an emotional issue stirs a community as has the Waterview traffic situation in Portsmouth. Here are some considerations for Susan D. Johnson (``One-Way Streets Out of Portsmouth,'' letter to the Virginian-Pilot) and the many drivers like her who have been accustomed to using the Waterview neighborhood as a cut-through.
As a resident stepping to the curb in front of my home to unlock the driver's side door of my car, I observe two vehicles - one coming from each direction. Fortunately, they both stop. They see me, of course, but they also see that only one car can pass.
These are the streets that have become major traffic arteries, carrying 9,000 vehicles a day. Not unlike Olde Towne Portsmouth or Ghent in Norfolk, with no front-access driveways and small single-car garages on alleyways behind our homes, most Waterview residents are forced to park on the streets. And yet we are being labeled as selfish because we seek to reduce the traffic flow and provide some safety for our walkers and bikers.
Any homeowner might ask himself the question: How much traffic is too much? If there were 100 cars passing by my home each day - would that be too many? How about 1,000? Or 9,000? Is that too many? How much litter thrown from passing cars is too much? How many high-speed chases in the early hours of dawn can be tolerated? How much noise is too much from car radios blasting music at all hours of the night?
The city itself states that its emergency vehicles avoid the causeway. Fire trucks and ambulances take the newly widened King Street to Rodman to High route because it is more direct to points beyond Waterview, such as the Maryview Medical Center and Willett Hall.
Research speaks for itself. A 97-page Waterview Transportation Study conducted by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission in 1993 indicates that the concerns of residents are well-founded. Of the 9,000 vehicles that cut through Waterview daily, 89 percent are exceeding the speed limit.
Inconvenienced drivers are quick to point to the fact that these are public streets, paid for and maintained by taxpayers who wish to use them. A reminder that we have public schools that get our tax support, but many do not need or make use of the facilities. Numerous recreational ball fields are supported with tax money, but used by only a few. Virginia Beach has had to restrict ``cruising on the strip,'' a public street paid for by taxpayers.
Safety is the neighborhood's major concern; inconvenience seems to be the only point that opponents of restricting traffic are using. As citizens express their opinion on the issue, it is natural that the greatest numbers are the voices of those 9,000 who are inconvenienced. Thanks go to the Portsmouth City Council for having the courage to seek a solution for Waterview's growing traffic problem in spite of the opposition.
Alma Hall
Portsmouth
Dec. 12, 1995 Theft from grave is sad
It is with a heavy heart that I write this: The Grinch is alive in Portsmouth!
The Farmer family lost my sister, Jacqueline Leigh, on June 3, 1972, almost a month away from her 4th birthday. She is buried in Olive Branch Cemetery in Portsmouth. Although she has been gone a number of years, she has not been forgotten. Throughout the year, the entire family places arrangements on her grave, always remembering birthdays, holidays, etc. We try to find unusual arrangements.
After searching for something unusual for the Christmas season, I visited a local craft store and found a wicker sleigh with wrought iron runners. I purchased all the filler items, Christmas picks, glazed poinsettias and a tin Santa. It was with much love that I assembled the sleigh, finishing the arrangement with greenery from my tree. The result was just what I had wanted for her.
On Friday morning, Dec. 22, my daughter and I placed the arrangement on my sister's grave. My mother had already visited her and placed two beautiful arrangements. Her plot was beautifully decorated.
Today, Christmas day, I discovered some sick individual had stolen her sleigh. My brother had visited her grave on Dec. 23 and the sleigh was already taken. I don't think it lasted a whole day. An open letter to the thief:
The arrangement was anchored into the ground with wire hangers, it took some effort to remove it. As you removed it, you had to see her picture on the tombstone and realize you were stealing from a child's grave. Could you really enjoy this arrangement on Christmas day?
If you received this as a gift from someone, I want you to realize the moral character of the individual who gave it to you.
Our family's holiday was ruined by your greed. It's sad enough to visit a loved one's grave during the holiday, especially a child's. I want you to realize how many tears were shed because of you and the hurt you caused. I hope you'll think twice next time you're tempted.
Jackie's family will never forget her.
Jeanne Johnson
Suffolk
Dec. 25, 1995 Thanks for fine concert
I would like to take this time to say thank you to W. E. Waters Choral Department and teacher Mrs. Gwendolyn Taylor for a job well done at the Christmas Concert on Monday evening, Dec. 18.
What a delight to see the parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. It was a full house.
Truly, this was a treat you would not have wanted to miss.
Again, Mrs. Taylor, I'm sure I stand with all parents and say thank you for the hard work and support you give our kids.
Sharon Clark
Cherokee Road
Dec. 27, 1995 by CNB