THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 15, 1996 TAG: 9602130074
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
The article on the Law Library in the Feb. 1 issue of The Compass was misleading on funding.
The truth is that 88 percent of the Law Library's $394,000 annual budget is paid by the taxpayers of Norfolk through a $3 writ tax on all civil cases. The Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association contributes a miserly 5.45 percent.
Citizens would be financially better served to use the civil courts of our neighbors in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Portsmouth. God forbid a reduction in the caseload of the Civil Court in Norfolk, for it would surely close the Norfolk-Portsmouth Law Library.
Thomas E. Baldwin
Clerk
Norfolk General District Court Thanks to all who helped
The ``Sports Superkids'' organization provides trips for children with life-threatening or terminal illnesses to see the Washington Redskins play football.
It was a fantastic season for the Superkids program and Superkids families that attended Redskins games this year. It was our most successful year in our four-year existence; a total of 23 families (52 children and 35 parents) saw the Redskins play their home games at RFK Stadium in Washington.
On behalf of the ``Sports Superkids'' organization and Superkid families, I would like to express my appreciation to all of the people who made the season a huge success.
If you had the opportunity to see what I get to see, the smiles and excitement of these children, you would know that your kindness and generosity is well-rewarded. You made Superkids possible. Without your help, it would not have been possible. A million thanks.
Robert Lane
``Superkids''
Virginia Beach Why single out athletes
In response to Joe Robinson's commentary on Jan. 30 in the The Virginian-Pilot: Thank you for seeing things clearly! Why have the Norfolk city schools decided to single out the athlete for drug testing? Why not test the Drama Club, the Latin Club, the Ski Club or the Debate Team? Why not test all students randomly?
I am willing to bet my 16 years in the public school system that the greatest percentage of drug users is not among athletes but among students who simply attend classes, honor or otherwise, and do little to support the spirit or morale of their school.
Are parents and administrators foolish enough to think that testing athletes for drugs will diminish drug usage in schools? Athletes today are no longer the teen idols of yesteryear. On the contrary, they are often mocked by their peers who use spare time to earn extra money, hang out in the malls or the streets. In most cases, it is the goal-oriented, self-disciplined individual who is willing and able to participate in athletics.
Not only is drug testing a waste of time and money, it appears to be just another oppressive requirement placed on the athlete for the honor of representing his school and possibly developing another dimension of himself.
Terri L. Baker
West 21st Street Thanks for the memories
On Jan. 25, The Compass ran an article about the closing of The Zoo (formerly Dolley & Bobby Shoppe). We would like to thank you and all the people who have shopped with us for over six decades.
The Zoo had been in business since 1938, and we had developed wonderful relationships with many of our customers, vendors, suppliers and employees. We would like everyone to know how much we enjoyed watching ``our'' kids grow up and develop into such fine young men and women. The store is now closed, but the memories of all the people we have dealt with will live on in our hearts forever.
Bruce and Sharon Laderberg
The Zoo by CNB