THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 18, 1996 TAG: 9601170119
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
Overcrowding is built into Suffolk's future
John Pruitt's Jan. 4 column on controlling growth in Suffolk only touched the tip of the facts about City Council's plans for our city.
First and foremost, residents of Suffolk must look beyond the mile or so around their own homes. It is important for every citizen to become aware of all the permits being issued to developers in our city.
To use your example of the horse farm that recently came before City Council, the sad truth is that all these ``neighbors'' who demanded 30,000- square-foot lots in this development just sat by while the council voted for a subdivision, near the regional jail, of 12,000-square-foot lots. That is less than two miles from this property and their homes.
Of the approximately 17,000 permits for building lots already approved by council, only 440 are for 15,000 square feet or more. This means considerable overcrowding is already in the plan for Suffolk.
Please find out how your City Council representative voted on these issues and remember this when he or she asks for your vote this year.
Kem Martin
Kings Fork Road
Suffolk
Meals program ideal way to help the homebound
During this winter season, it is imperative for those of us who are lucky enough to be able to share holiday meals with our friends and families to remember those older Americans in our community who might go to bed at night hungry.
These senior citizens need our help. We at Suffolk Meals on Wheels work every day to provide a nutritious meal for the more than 45 seniors whom we serve Monday through Friday.
During the holiday season, we tend to focus on children and neglect the elderly and homebound. Now that the winter months are upon us, with so many holidays, they serve as a reminder to all of us that there are many in our community for whom this will not be a joyous season if we do not help. There are many ways that everyone in our community can help alleviate hunger among the elderly and homebound. Donations of money and time are always welcome by Suffolk Meals on Wheels.
If readers would like to learn more about how they can make a difference this post-holiday season and all year, we urge them to call us at 934-4911. Making a difference in the lives of our older citizens is not difficult and it will make a difference in your life, too. Please help us help!
Bee Norris
Director
Suffolk Meals on Wheels
They'll support Harris
We, the residents of Hoffler Apartments, feel that Councilman Richard R. Harris has done an excellent job in the Nansemond Borough.
He has helped our community wholeheartedly. When we were faced with issues involving the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Councilman Harris spoke up for our residents. Surely, he could have said he was too busy or promised to show up then, like others have, failed to appear. Instead, he stood with us, supported out position and followed through to the end!
There also have been times when Councilman Harris has voted on issues that we may disapprove of, but let us keep in mind that decisions we sometimes make as individuals are not always pleasing to others. It would be improbable, if not impossible, for someone to serve on City Council or any other board or commission for four years and make a decision that did not offend someone at sometime. You must look at the whole picture, not an isolated incident, and decide if your representative has done a good job overall. To that question, we would give a resounding yes!
We believe Councilman Harris, serving as a first-term rookie, has served with honesty, dignity and pride. You can count on him to speak out on the issues, and he is a man of promise. Everyone's first term is a learning process.
For these reasons and actions, we will support our Councilman, Richard R. Harris, all the way.
Thelma V. Hinton, president
Horace Smith, vice president
Hoffler Apartments
Resident Council Association
East Washington Street, Suffolk by CNB